Hartselle Martial Arts Academy tournament winners, from left, are: (kneeling) Caleb Myres, Charles Owens, Brayden Myres, (standing) Ruftyn Malone, Greg Colee and Dorsey House. | Clif Knight

A group of karate competitors from Hartselle made their presence felt in a big way when they competed in their first tournament in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. on June 13.

The national tournament   attracted entries from Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia and Florida,

Hartselle Martial Arts Academy. competitors brought home 10 trophies.

Academy owner Charles Owens won first place in forms and second place in both grappling and sparring.

Other winners were: Greg Colee, first in sparring and second in forms; Dorsey House, first in grappling and second in forms; Brayden Myres, first in forms; Ruftyn Malone, second in grappling and fourth in forms; and Caleb Myres, third in forms.

“Our students did extremely well considering the fact that this was their first competition,” said Owens. “and I’m very proud of them.”

“This says a lot about their commitment and hard work,” he added.