3 from Shotokan Karate School win national titles Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 22 2009 01:40 AM From staff reports

Experience proved its mettle for the Shotokan Karate School as it's three oldest competitors – 15-year-old Chris Wilm, 16-year-old Victoria Thurnton and sensei Manny DaCosta – each reached the distinction of national champion this weekend at the 2009 USA National Karate-Do Federation in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

With nine students ranging in ages from 7-16 competing for the Killeen-area school in designated age divisions, the group brought home four golds, two silvers and six bronze medals in both kata – which is described as a "prearranged technique" – and kumite – which is actual combat.

Wilm, a rising sophomore at Killeen High School, repeated with a gold medal in kata after winning the 14-year-old division national championship in 2008.

Thurnton did her teammate one better by winning two national championships this year, sweeping both the 16-year-old kata and kumite gold medals.

DaCosta, the team's sensei and a three-time national champion himself, took home the gold in kata while also winning silver in kumite and bronze in kata while using a samurai sword.

Also coming home with top honors include 8-year-old Larrisa Lewis, who won silver in kata and bronze in kumite in her first time at nationals, and 7-year-old Janai Oakley, who took third in both kata and kumite.

Also competing were 10-year-olds Travis Sampson and Eduardo Perez, 7-year-olds Jared Wilson and Cory Masters, and Kayla Perez.

For more information on the Shotokan Karate School, contact DaCosta at (254) 368-2311.