Locals participate in the Triple Cities
International Karate Tournament

The Triple Cities International Karate Tournament was held on March 9 in Endicott. The Isshin Ryu Karate Academy of Hamlin sent a team of fighters that included members from Kishi Karate (from Rochester) as well as members from the S&S Fitness Gym Fight class. The Ultimate Fight Team consisted of clicker fighters (non-contact point fighting) Scottie Haug Jr., Bethany Gill, Corey Lauth, Jeannie Galbraith, Christopher Heckleman, Alex Mentus, Mike Cere, Heather Shelley, Glen Goff, Jordan Diaz, Ryan Galbraith, Nikki Legere, Laura Rocco, and Joe Heberle. The team also had Semi-Contact fighters (using full contact techniques with pads) Joe Verdura, Bambai Rocco, Donna Robinson, Shayna Bull, Tenerle Hall, Tom Weisenburg, Steve Lauth, Jim Krygier, Eric Ciresi, Luis Martinez Jr. and Sam Rivera Jr. Sensei Luis Martinez, owner of KISHI Karate, also coached Sensei Scott Huag, owner of Isshin Ryu Karate Academy of Hamlin, to his third Middleweight Knockdown Championship. Knockdown fighting is full-contact karate without the use of pads.