Mike Powers| News-Bulletin photos
More than 300 competitors competed in the Southwest Regional martial arts tournament at the Belen Community Center.
Belen
There were plenty of yells, punches, kicks and strikes Saturday at Belen’s Community Center, but not to worry. All the commotion was part of the Southwest Regional martial arts tournament.
According to meet director Grand Master Loretta Hallmark, of Impact Martial Arts and Fitness in Los Lunas, 308 competitors, from ages 3 to 68, showed their skills.
A young competitor is dressed and ready to compete.
Ximena Medrano, 8, of Albuquerque, lets out a yell on her way to a first-place trophy at the Southwest Regional martial arts tournament in Belen.
In all, 28 schools from seven states were represented.
“The World Taekwondo Organization and International Taekwondo Federation have never had a tournament in the United States,” Hallmark said. “They’ve allowed us to start them here.”
Four different styles were on display: forms, breaking, sparring and weapons.
Ximena Medrano, 8, of Albuquerque, took home a first-place trophy in forms.
“I’m very proud,” Medrano said. “I practice almost every single day.”
The best part of martial arts?
“I get to meet new friends,” she said.
Hallmark says martial arts is not like it’s often portrayed in movies, such as Karate Kid.
“We’re more about the discipline, the honoring, respect — teaching the kids how they should be acting,” Hallmark proclaimed. “Don’t ‘sweep the leg,’” Hallmark added, mentioning the illegal attack used in the movie.
Mike Powers spent more than 40 years as a television news and sports anchor, mostly in the Albuquerque market. He has won numerous awards including New Mexico Sportscaster of the Year. He covers a wide range of sports, including the Valencia County prep scene.
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April 25, 2024
