Students from Pampa’s Peoples Kenpo/Jiu Jitsu recently competed at the Lubbock Open for the American Grappling Association in Lubbock.
“There were 38 teams altogether,” head instructor/owner of People’s Kenpo Alex Couch said. “Our team was 20 people and there were other gyms that had around 100.”
Competitors from four years old to north of 40 took part in the tournament with Peoples Kenpo coming home with 12 gold, 11 silver and four bronze medals.
“[Most of] our kids came home with a medal,” Couch said. “It’s a different experience with all of those people packed in yelling and screaming. All of our kids were in big brackets, so you had to win to even place.”
Couch noted that Elyse Leon made her opponent submit in nine seconds and Bryson Cooper forced a submission in 14 seconds.
Peoples Kenpo will host an open house at their new location, 618 W. Foster, on June 26 followed by the Tulsa Open in July.
The following came home with these awards:
Bianette Ortega -Gold, Bronze
Pancho Ortega -Gold
Elyse Leon - Double Gold
Easton O’Loughlin - Silver
Railyn Ward - Gold
Brynlee Ward- Silver
Grayson George -Silver
Kavyn Kemph - Bronze
Aisley Helfer-Silver
Bryson Cooper- Double Gold
Evan McCormick -Gold, Silver
Kaelyn McCormick -Gold, Silver
Abbey Snapp- Gold
Karson Doss - Silver
Matt Mears- Gold
Erica Mears- Silver
Skyler Hamilton - Gold, two Silver, Bronze
The following competed: P.J. Gonzales, Rubie Sirman and Cecil George
