(left to right) Sandi Morgan, physical education department chair at San Jacinto College; students Ali Khan, Sarah Elam, Teresa Hart, and Aaron Luke; graduate Kaitlynn Kalem; and Deddy Mansyur, adjunct physical education instructor. Photo credit: Jeannie Peng-Armao, San Jacinto College marketing department

San Jacinto College students take home 16 medals from 2012 Japan Karate Association championship

 Jeannie Peng-Armao -- November 19, 2012

PASADENA, Texas –San Jacinto College Central Campus karate students took home 16 medals, including gold, during the 2012 Japan Karate Association (JKA) American Federation national championship in New Orleans.

The JKA American Federation is a member of the JKA World Federation in Tokyo, Japan. The national tournament, held on Nov. 10 and 11, included the categories of Shotokan kata, kumite (sparring), and team kumite for both the intercollegiate and open division.

"It felt great to be there and represent San Jacinto College," said Aaron Luke, who will transfer to the University of Houston in the Spring to study kinesiology. Luke won a gold medal in intercollegiate kumite, and a gold in kumite and bronze in kata in the open division. "Physical education, including martial arts, motivates me personally because I haven't been able to compete in sports since high school. This was a wonderful experience."

Luke’s classmate, Ali Khan, won bronze medals for kumite in both divisions. Sarah Elam won intercollegiate bronze medals for kumite and kata, and a bronze in kata and silver in kumite in the open division. Ray Spicer won intercollegiate bronze in kumite, while Teresa Hart won intercollegiate gold in kata and bronze in kumite. Iain Furstenwerth won intercollegiate bronze in kata, and gold in kata and silver in kumite in the open division. San Jacinto College graduate, Kaitlynn Kalem, also competed and won intercollegiate silver in kata and gold in kumite.

"I'm so very proud of all of the San Jacinto College students who sacrificed during their training while also balancing school, work, and their families," said Deddy Mansyur, adjunct physical education instructor at the Central Campus. "They show the discipline it takes to not only compete, but to achieve their academic goals."

About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

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