Sulphur Springs teen medals at world martial arts competition

[adning id=”33097″]

While the Olympics are ongoing in Tokyo, local martial arts practitioner Karisma Stegient, of Sulphur Springs, has medaled prestigiously in the Martial Arts World Tournament of Champions.

After the COVID-19 pandemic ended Stegient’s season, the Hopkins County student won the right to enter the championship level tournament and attempt to fight past the top ten with a combat sparring victory at district championships in July. 

Stegient’s victory in the second and third degree black belts, age 13-14 category is her first world medal. Karisma joins her older sister, Harleigh, who won bronze in 2018 in the same category. 

[adning id=”33207″]

Stegient was seeded ninth overall, and faced off against some of the world’s best 13-14 year-old black belts. With a 10-6 record in the semi-finals, Stegient entered the match for the bronze tied 7-7 with the number three seed. A decisive late-match point earned Stegient her bronze finish in sudden victory. 

Other notable finishes include Sulphur Springs’ Daron Bilyeu, who completed the tournament with fourth place in the mens’ 40-49 black belt category. 

Hopkins County currently has five participants in the Martial Arts World Tournament of Champions.

For more information on Sulphur Springs martial arts, visit www.sulphurspringsata.com or call 903-243-8767.

By Taylor Nye