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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
Martial Arts Tourney Comes to Southern Illinois
Competitors of all ages didn't pull any punches--or kicks, rather--at the Southern Illinois Martial Arts Open. More than six different styles of martial arts made a weekend full of main events.
"It's the greatest art in the world. What else can you have besides that?" asked Thomas Black. His martial arts academy hosts the open every year. He says the tournament thrives because martial arts is for everybody.
"Martial arts is really the only sport that the mother and father are not spectators. They're able to get out and do it with their kids," said Black.
The tournament brought in competitors from 13 different states all vying for the #1 on the winner's podium. At the end of the tournament, the top 20 competitors will have qualified for the world games in Cancun, Mexico.
This is the sixth year the tournament has been held in Carbondale. The Open Martial Arts World Games will be held in October.
By: Jantzen Zink
jzink@wsiltv.com
Now: 1283451477
