Karisma Stegient of Sulphur Springs won the world bronze medal at the ATA Martial Arts World Tournament of Champions, held July 28-30 in Phoenix, Arizona
After COVID ended her season looking outside of the top 10, Stegient won the right to enter the championship level tournament with her combat sparring victory at District Championships last month. Her victory in the 2nd-3rd Degree Black Belts Age 13-14 category is her first world medal. She joins her older sister Harleigh, who won bronze in 2018, in winning a medal in this category.
Seeded 9th, she won her first match 9-7, Karisma faced the top seeded 13-14 year-old in the world in the quarterfinals, prevailing 10-4. In the semi-finals, Ms. Stegient lost 10-6. In the battle for the bronze, Ms. Stegient was tied with the #3 seed 7-7 as the time expired. As the match entered sudden victory, Karisma scored the deciding point to take the bronze.
Earlier in the Tournament of Champions, Mr. Daron Bilyeu finished in 4th place in the Men’s 40-49 black belts Creative and Extreme Weapons Competition. Mr. Bilyeu finished just one point out of the medals in both events. This matches his best finish in the world tournament.
Competition continued over the weekend with the World Expo tournament, which traditionally begins the new competition season. Sulphur Springs ATA had five students representing Hopkins County in the competition.
For more information on Sulphur Springs ATA Martial Arts, please visit www.sulphurspringsata.com or call 903-243-8767.
