KINGSTON – The Ulster County Legislature honored the five young residents who represented the United States at the International Federation of Kyokushin Karate World Championship in Valencia, Spain, earlier this month.
Chairwoman Tracey Bartels and Legislator Megan Sperry presented the Pride of Ulster County Award on Tuesday night to the five New Paltz Team USA members, and the dojo where they trained, Fighting Spirit Karate in Gardiner.
Team USA is comprised of nine full-contact Kyokushin fighters, five of whom are Ulster County residents who live in New Paltz.
Like the Olympics, the IFK World Tournament is held every four years.
“Each Team USA fighter gave every waking hour of themselves to this pursuit,” said head coach Shihan Sean Schenker. “The journey has been a year-long trajectory with many sacrifices, trials, and triumphs. Our fighters have trained relentlessly to achieve the clarity and muscle memory required to operate at the most elite level of our lineage and art form, Kyokushin Karate.”
