From April Jones

Organizer

Over 22 martial arts dojos participated in the Grandview Open Martial Arts Tournament & Festival at the Grandview Family YMCA on Saturday, October 19. These dojos and competitors were from GA, LA, FL, TN, and from all throughout the state of Alabama! This was a great testament to the interest, following, and need for organized sporting events such as the Grandview Open. There is most certainly a place for sport and competitive martial arts in Millbrook, AL, and our sponsors, businesses, community members, and martial arts community members affirmed that this past Saturday.

We had close to 200 martial arts competitors who registered for at least one event, with most registered for all three events (point sparring, forms, weapons); 37 black belts who attended, of which 29 black belts competed; and had over 430 people in attendance.

The Grandview Open Grand Champion award winners were:

David Koda, Adult Black Belt Forms/Weapons – US Yoshukai Karate, Montgomery, AL

Zak Barnes, Men’s Black Belt Point Sparring – Bryan College Martial Arts Academy, Dayton, TN

Chloe Lyles, Women’s Black Belt Point Sparring – Bryan College Martial Arts Academy, Dayton, TN

Harmony Koda, Youth Black Belt Forms/Weapons – US Yoshukai Karate, Montgomery, AL

Terry Wooten, Youth Kyu (11&Up) Forms/Weapons – Johnson’s Martial Arts Academy, Montgomery, AL

Arie Post, Youth Kyu (10&Under) Forms/Weapons – Grandview Isshinryu Karate, Millbrook, AL

The 2025 Grandview Open Martial Arts Tournament will be held at 17 Springs.