Gutierrez Martial Arts students compete

WHITTER • On Sept. 23, 10 members of Barstow’s Gutierrez Martial Arts Studio and their families traveled to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy to take part in the 10th Annual All-Youth Nationals Karate Tournament.

It was the first time most of the Barstow dojos participated in a Martial Arts competition. It was a big event for the first-timers, drawing competitors from all over Southern California and Mexico.

The local dojos did well, led by Chad Lopez Zamora, who placed first in white belt forms, and won a participation award in sparring. Harmony Shoemaker got a participation award in forms and sparring, and Daniel Zamora participation awards in both sparring and forms.
Also in the white belt division was Sawn Kilgore, who placed third in forms, and participation in sparring while competing in his second tournament. First-timer Leila Gutierrez competed as a yellow belt, and earned participation awards in both sparring and forms, as did Marshal Berry. Isaiah Flores competed in the intermediate division, and placed third in forms and fourth in sparring. Luke French placed third in intermediate forms.

The two veterans of the group were Eric Chavira and Julian Jennings. Chavira competed in the green belt division, and placed first in weapons Kata, second in open hand Kata, and third in sparring. Jennings competed in the same division and placed third in forms and fourth in sparring.