Stegient wins Gold With Team USA
Phoenix, AZ – Karisma Stegient of Sulphur Springs won gold with Team USA at the 2026 World Songahm Cup Championship. Representing the United States against elite competitors from around the world, Stegient and her teammates delivered an impressive championship run. Team ATA-USA defeated Team Chile in the quarterfinals, Team Uruguay in the semifinals, and Team Portugal in the championship match to secure the World Songahm Cup title. Her performance demonstrated the skill, determination, and sportsmanship that defines ATA Martial Arts.
The World Songahm Cup is an international team competition featuring top martial arts athletes representing their countries. In this event, teams of five competitors face opponents one-on-one, with every point scored adding to the team’s cumulative score. After all five matches, the team with the highest total score is crowned champion.
The victory comes just one year after Stegient claimed an individual World Championship in Combat at the 2025 ATA World Championships. Her success is the result of years of dedication, disciplined training, and countless hours spent preparing for competition. Known for her determination and perseverance, she has become a role model for younger martial artists at Sulphur Springs ATA Martial Arts, where she continues to inspire students as a staff instructor.
The Stegient family has become well known on the international stage. In 2023, Karisma’s older sister, Harleigh Stegient, also earned a World Songahm Cup gold medal as a starting member of Team ATA-USA. With Karisma’s victory, the sisters have now both reached the top of international team competition, an accomplishment few families can claim.
Her achievements bring recognition not only to herself, but also to her club, Sulphur Springs ATA Martial Arts. The Sulphur Springs school continues it tradition of having a World Medalist or Champion for 13 straight years including a World Champion 9 out of the last 10 years.
Sulphur Springs ATA would like to congratulate Ms. Stegient, their head coach, Chief Master Kevin Kaminsky, and all of Team ATA-USA on an incredible championship.
About Sulphur Springs ATA Martial Arts
Sulphur Springs ATA Martial Arts has proudly served Hopkins County since 1986, providing martial arts instruction for children, teens, and adults. The school emphasizes confidence, respect, discipline, leadership, and perseverance while helping students reach their fullest potential both on and off the mat.
