Palm Harbor Karate Competitors Earn 9 Medals At U.S., World Contests

PALM HARBOR, FL — Pro Karate Center on County Road 1 in Palm Harbor represented the community at the AAU National Karate Championships and WUKF World Karate Championships in Fort Lauderdale.

The team consists of Coach Dean Lavas, James Gray, Dena Gray, Danielle Martin, Danielle Ortiz, Sophia Drewke, Ethan Lavas, Evan Nadeau, Bryanna Voies and Isaac Gray.

The AAU National Champions were held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center June 30 to July 2. Pro Karate Center students earned 20 medals with four new national champions — Bryanna Voies with two medals, James Gray and Isaac Gray.

The WUKF World Championship were also held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center July 4 to 7. There were 34 countries represented with more than 1,500 total competitors.

Pro Karate Center Students earned five medals at the world championship with a new world champion, Danielle Martin.

Team AAU USA had more than 700 competitors and earned the most medals of any other country — 135 gold, 144 silver and 141 bronze medals. Romania came in second followed by England.

"Each and every one of these amazing athletes represented our community and the USA with the utmost respect," Coach Lavas said. "They worked diligently to qualify for these competitions and their hard work and dedication paid off.