The International Tang
Soo Do Federation (ITF)
hosted its 15th World
Championship this
summer. Local karate
schools, including C.S.
Kim Karate - McMurray,
joined martial artists
from eight different
countries to participate
in the event.
"The nicest thing is
seeing people from all
over the world getting
together with one cause,
just to train," Dean
Kelly, the head
instructor at C.S. Kim
Karate - McMurray said.
Master Kelly was
inducted into the ITF
Hall of Fame at the
tournament.
C.S. Kim Karate McMurray
sent 30 students to the
tournament, all of whom
medaled in at least one
event. The school's
other instructors also
performed well at the
tournament. Dean Kelly
Jr. won first place in
Masters breaking. Jeremy
Kelly took first place
in Masters forms,
sparring, and weapons.
Julia Felton earned
first place in her black
belt forms division and
second place in her
black belt weapons
division. In addition to
taking third place in
his black belt forms
division, Max Szalla
earned second place in
his black belt weapons
and breaking divisions.
Alex Burdelski won
second place in his
black belt forms
division and third place
in his black belt
sparring division.
The tournament was run
by Grand Master C.S.
Kim, who, at age 77,
continues to actively
participate in the
event. The tournament,
which was held in
Washington, DC, took
place on July 27-29. The
next ITF World
Tournament will be held
in Orlando, Florida, in
2020.