Byron-Bergen's Collamer-Jones (Gillam Grant) Karate Team won twenty eight trophies at the 2003 Isshin Ryu World Karate Championships held June 27-28, in Dallas, Texas. The tournament was attended by over 400 Isshin Ryu practitioners including many masters from all over the world. For all, the IWKA tournament was a training experience as Master Kichiro Shimabuku conducted a clinic the night before the main competition.

The twenty-six competitors on the Gillam Grant Team were coached by Shihan Cyndy Jones, a 7th degree black belt, and Sensei Rick Hawley, a 5th degree black belt. They competed in kata, weapons and sparring, winning a grand total of twenty-eight trophies. The competitors ranged in age from seven to forty-eight with experience level from beginner to 3rd degree black belt.

In weapons kata, first place trophies were won by Nicholas Adams, Dan Beszczynski, Vincent Lanzalaco and Andrew Prister. Valeries Kuykendall won a second place trophy. Third place went to Brian Jesse, Candace Kuykendall, Son Le and Jim Suter.

In empty hand kata, Candace Kuykendall took first place. Second place winners were Nicholas Adams, Dan Beszczynski, Jonah Farnum, and Vincent Lanzalaco. Third place trophies went to Russell Adams, Dylan Bates, Amy Kohler, Ann Kohler, Valerie Kuykendall and Andrew Prister.

In fighting, Jonah Farnum and Brian Jesse took first place trophies. Vincent Lanzalaco earned a second place and third places went to Dan Beszczynski, Amy Kohler, Mark Lyons, Melissa Suter and Jim Suter. For information on summer karate programs call Shihan Jones at 585-548-2801.