Award is the namesake of Sheriff Leon Lott By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Martial arts practitioner and acclaimed instructor for U.S. and foreign special operations forces Ben “Yeti” Rhodes was awarded the S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame’s prestigious “LEON LOTT – FIRST THROUGH THE DOOR” AWARD,” during a privateContinue Reading
The team from Jitsu Academy delivered an impressive performance at the Charlotte New Breed competition held Saturday, April 25. Competing against teams from across the region, Jitsu Academy athletes recorded 62 total match victories, earning 19 gold medals, 11 silver medals, and 9 bronze medals. The team also captured theContinue Reading
Nolan Thompson, 9, competed in a Brazilian Ju-Jitsu competition last month in Greenville. After 3 rounds, he earned a gold medal by submission in his no-gi bracket. Nolan also competed in the gi bracket and earned a silver medal. Nolan competes out of Spartan Academy. Spartan Academy is owned andContinue Reading
Legendary martial arts tournament fighter and five-decade karate instructor praised By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Midlands-area Karate legend and lifelong martial arts tournament fighter and instructor Mike Genova welcomed throngs of students, primarily children with parents and grandparents; fellow fighters; and lifelong friends to his Columbia-Elgin studio GENOVA FAMILY KARATE,Continue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Top tournament fighters from around the nation gathered at Genova Family Karate in Elgin (northeast Columbia), S.C., for degree-promotions, fellowship, food, fun, and a veritable martial arts family reunion, Saturday, May 14. Dubbed THE GATHERING 2022, the annual event attended by 200-plus martial artists includingContinue Reading