This past weekend Mady's Karate School in Cookstown took a team of 12 students and 9 competitors to New York State to the 15 th Annual American International Karate Championships in Rochester . The Cookstown School accompanied the main school, Mady's Karate School from Windsor . Between the two schools their was a total of 25 competitors, with 17 Full Contact Knock Down Fighters, and 6 Full Contact Bare Knuckle Knock Down Fighters, 5 Point Fighters and 15 Kata Competitors. The team brought back 40 trophies in total. The Cookstown team of 9 competitors brought back 12 trophies, the competitors included:

Scott Pharand 12 years old form Egbert competing in Continuous Point Fighting placing 5th in Yellow Belt division,

Tyler Pharand 11 years old from Egbert competing in Continuous Point Fighting placing in 4th in the yellow belt division.

Aaron Schrank 7 years old from Cookstown was unable to compete due to injury.

Andrew Schrank, 11 years old from Cookstown won 2nd place in Kata and won 1st place in Full Contact Fighting, in the Yellow Belt division, this was Andrew's first tournament!

Brandon Carm a n 11 years old from Cookstown placed fourth in Full Contact Fighting and won 1 st place in Continuous Point Fighting, in the Yellow Belt division, this was also Brandon 's first tournament!

Riley McColl 11 years old from Thornton won 3 rd place in Kata and placed 4th place in Full Contact Fighting, in the Green Belt division. Showing a great deal of spirit after two tough and grueling matches!

Samantha Bottrell 13 years old from Thornton won 1 st place in Kata and won 2nd place in Full Contact Fighting, in the Green Belt division. Losing only her last match to a 17 year old girl that weigh-in 80 lbs heavier then Sam!

Shannon Bottrell 11 years old from Thornton won 1 st place in Kata and placed 4th place in Full Contact Fighting, in the Green Belt division.

Even after an injury was able to get up and finish the fight showing lots of heart!

Adam Mollica 14 years old from Alliston won 1 st place in Continuous point Fighting and won  2 nd place in Full Contact Fighting, in the Yellow Belt division. Adam does in again and takes first place, and 2 nd place!

Amanda Makivirta 16 years old from Cookstown won 1 st place in Kata and won  2 nd place in Weapons Kata and won 2 nd place  in Full Contact Fighting, in the Brown Belt division.

Sensei Harri Makivirta the head instructor from Mady's karate School in Cookstown wants to thank all the parents and students for all there help and support to go to this tournament, and wants to congratulate all the competitors for showing there Karate Spirit, and Respect for the Competition and the Martial Arts.