4 Youth Named State Champs

RAPID CITY, SD – Four local youth were named State Champions this past week.

Alex, Nathan, Aaron and Rebekah each earned a 2004 South Dakota State Champion title in Songham Tae Kwon Do. The youth are all students at ATA Black Belt Academy/Karate 4 Kids in Rapid City.

Alex, who recently earned his first degree black belt, “triple crowned” earning the titles in forms, sparring and weapons for colored belts in the “boys ages 11 to 13” category.

Nathan earned the title for weapons and forms for first degree black belt boys ages 11 to 13. Aaron was the top weapons performer for second and third degree black belt boys ages 11 to 13, while Rebekah was the top weapons performer for first degree black belt girls ages 8 to 10.

“These kids worked very hard all year,” said instructor Robin, a fourth degree black belt. “This is a great honor for them and an accumulation of all their hard work the past year.”

The titles are awarded based on points the students earned at competitions throughout the country.