Sonora High Grad Wins Medals At World Karate Competition

Sonora, Ca — Sonora High School graduate Stephanie Spears has successfully been taking on the world with her karate skills.

On July 11th, Spears won both a gold and bronze medal at the World Tang Soo Do Association Karate Tournament in Orlando, Florida. It was only her first time competing, and she took home the gold in the Sparring Competition and bronze in the Forms Competition for females in the 1st Degree Black Belt Division, ages 17-34.

?It was a physical challenge, but also a mental challenge,? says Spears. ?You´re in front of a lot of people showing what you have. It was a great experience.?

Spears first got a taste for the sport in high school while taking a local kickboxing class. She says that when the class was eventually cancelled, she started practicing at Tripp´s Tae Kwan Do. This past January she moved to San Diego for school and recently has been training with a new karate instructor down south.

Spears will next compete in a Southern California regional tournament in October.

Written by BJ Hansen