TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Karate Students To Represent U.S.

ADVERTISEMENT

By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent and ERIC HORCHY The Suncoast News

Published: October 4, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Earlier this year, six students of Ingram's Pro Karate Center scored top honors at July's Amateur Athletic Union national competition. Now two of those athletes, representing the AAU/USA Karate team, are poised to compete in the 2008 World Karate Council Junior World Championships, scheduled Oct. 21-27 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.

According to studio owner Sheri Ingram-Angwin, Alexis Campisi, 16, and 17-year-old David Brackett deserve a shot at the spotlight.

"They're both amazing, all-A students who won gold medals at the AAU nationals," she said.

To help defray the students' travel expenses for their trip to Slovenia, Ingram's will host a car wash 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the 7-Eleven on the northeast corner of State Road 54 and Little Road in New Port Richey.

"They both have the ability to win," said John Ingram, head instructor at Ingram's Pro Karate Center.

Campisi, a 16-year-old junior at J.W. Mitchell High School, and Brackett, a 17-year-old senior at Gulf High School, were two of six Ingram's students who qualified for the participation in the WKC Junior World Championships. The others were Shawn Roof, Kayla Jewell, Chris Ruland and Alexis Block.

Brackett and Campisi, both second-degree black belts, are eager for the challenge.

"It's going to be nice competing against people from all over," Campisi said. "I've heard there's more talent as a whole over there, so that will be fun."

"I'm excited about it. Win or lose, you always feel good, so there's not really much apprehension," Brackett said. "If anything, it's a learning experience."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT