Kurt's KARATE celebrates string of accomplishments

Kurt's KARATE had a lot to celebrate last month with success in a tournament against an Ohio school and students earning their black belts.

Tyus Martinez of Worland, Siri Smith of Ten Sleep and Raylan Rankin of Thermopolis recently demonstrated their skills and knowledge in martial arts traditions and history as well as the self-defense and sport karate aspects of their training. Additionally, they demonstrated their jointlocks and takedowns which have prepared them for the adult curriculum in Spirit Wind Hapkido.

"As instructors of traditional martial arts, we here at Kurt's KARATE take our mandate very seriously," Kurt Steinke said. "That mandate is to create a more just and moral society one person at a time. Students of Spirit Wind Hapkido go on to be a positive influence in their communities and their world. Examples are Josh Buchenberg who, in Ohio, received his Junior Blackbelt and then went on to earn his Adult Blackbelt in Spirit Wind Hapkido. He was also an Eagle Scout and now serves in the United States Air Force. At the Worland dojo, we promoted Aidan Freeman to Adult Blackbelt. Aidan then went on to graduate high school with honors (salutatorian) and is in his freshman year at [the University of Wyoming] on a full-ride scholarship. We expect these three most recent Junior Black Belts to do equally great things in their lives."

Alanna Steinke added, "We are very proud of the accomplishments of these three young people. They have dedicated years of their lives to an artform, something most adults have never done. More than a sport, Spirit Wind Hapkido is a way of life that promotes interpersonal harmony and a peaceful resolution to conflict. To be a martial artist is to see the world in a new way."

Kurt's KARATE of Wyoming recently competed in the semi-annual Tae Soo Family Alliance traditional martial arts tournament. Kurt's KARATE defeated Mac's Martial Arts of Napoleon, Ohio 53 points to 44.

Top scorers for Kurt's KARATE were Lexi Miller of Worland with 9 points, Wyatt Bernaldez of Greybull also with 9 points, and Koen Martinez of Worland with 8 points. Following this event, the cumulative points for the 2024 tournament season were tallied. The Tournament Grand Champion for the year went to Wyatt Bernaldez. First Runner Up was Koen Martinez of Worland, and Second Runner Up was a tie between Kimbra Kinney of Worland and Isaiah Beck of Napoleon, Ohio.