Ingram's Celebrates 19 State Champions
Updated: Jun 25, 2019
Ingram's Karate Center is no stranger to competition, our competitive team has been among the top AAU teams in Florida since the 1980's; now Ingram's wants to celebrate some of it's strongest competitors from the 2019 season.
Becoming a Florida titleholder is no small task, it takes dedication over the long haul for an athlete to qualify for a Florida Championship. At each tournament, a point system is awarded based on the place standings of the competitor in each event. Competitors who win 1st place in their division for performances in Kata, Kumite, and Kobudo (Forms, sparring, and weapons respectively) receive the highest point totals, being followed by those winning 2nd and 3rd place with a lesser point achievement depending on placement. Each time an athlete places in their division, their point standing raises and at the end of the year, the state championship goes to the athlete who has the highest total points in each of the three events as well as one overall winner for total combined points.
This means that showing up once or twice, even with an outstanding performance, won't win you a state title; it takes a full year of outstanding performances to rank high enough in points to secure a championship.
In the 2019 competitive season, Ingram's is proud to announce 19 Florida State Champions. We'v e interviewed a few of them and would like to introduce you to them and congratulate them for their excellence.
Eli Baker, 15
In one word, summarize your 2019 competitive season: GROWTH
What was the best part of your Florida Tournament experience this year? BEING IN A DIVISION WHERE THE INGRAMS TEAM WORKS TOGETHER AND ENCOURAGES EACH OTHER THROUGHOUT THE SEASON
How have the Sensei's and coaches helped you have an amazing season? THEY ALWAYS BELIEVE IN ME AND ENCOURAGE ME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I WIN OR LOSE
What improvements do you feel you've made this season? I'VE GROWN IN MY KUMITE THE MOST BY BEING MORE CONFIDENT AND USING MORE OF THE SKILLS I'VE LEARNED DURING TRAININGS AND PRACTICE SESSIONS
What is it about competition that you enjoy? BEING A PART OF A TEAM AND ALWAYS BEING AROUND OTHERS WHO LOVE KARATE LIKE I DO
Ashton Hanna, 9
In one word, summarize your 2019 competitive season: Challenging
What was the best part of your Florida Tournament experience this year? The best part for me is sparring. I used to be terrible at sparring, I used to cry when I lost but after watching, learning from my mistake and a lot of practices; I have improved a lot and I was really happy when I finally won my gold medal with hard competitors. Sparring taught me a lesson to never give up and practice makes perfect.
How have the Sensei's and coaches helped you have an amazing season? One of the Senseis that really, really helped me is Sensei Jen. During my private lessons with her, she would always push me to the next level and to make my katas better. When we are at competition if I walk by her, she will always wave and smile at me. In my mind she is saying “You will do great”. I love her because she always has a kind and happy spirit. She always tell me “win or lose, you will always do great if you try your best”. That really encouraged me to give 100 percent and not to be sad if I didn’t medal.
Another Sensei that helped me is Sensei Chris. He was my coach for sparring for this season. He did very good job which I believe if it wasn’t for him, I would not be able to won as much as I did. He helped give me more confidence when I spar.
What improvements do you feel you've made this season? Sportsmanship. I used to cry when I lost. Now, I always cheer my friends and my competitors on. Won or lose, I will always show respect to the referees and coaches.
What is it about competition that you enjoy? I enjoy competing and seeing all of my competitors and karate friends all in one place.
David Gagne, 11
In one word, summarize your 2019 competitive season:
Fun
What was the best part of your Florida Tournament experience this year?
Getting my first gold medal.
How has the Sensei's and coaches helped you have an amazing season?
By encouraging me to do good and teaching me everything I need to know.
What improvements do you feel you've made this season?
Becoming a better competitor
What is it about competition that you enjoy?
Getting to travel and win medals.