NORWAY – Champions were crowned at the recent Maine Kyokushin Karate (MKK) Tournament Grand Championship held at its Norway Dojo (training hall). The event was the last of 6 tournaments that culminated in two Grand Champions, one for the Children’s Samurai Program and one for the Teens & Adult Program. The winners were chosen based on a placement point ranking system for tournaments held since February 2005.

The 2005-2006 Grand Champion for the Children’s Program went to Alex Petrovich of South Paris. He is the son of Maine Kyokushin Karate’s owners, Marty and Liesha Petrovich. Alex’s father said “I was quite happy that the competition was so close. Finishing just a mere 10 points behind Alex was runner-up Daniel Ricker who has been training with me for two years. All of the kids showed great spirit and learned what healthy competition is all about.”

In the Teen and Adult Division, the Grand Championship was captured by Norman Parks of Buckfield. He is a 14-year-old First Degree Black Belt who has been training at MKK for over 7 years. The competition was extremely close with only 6 points separating runner-up Scott Withey. Parks is an assistant instructor in the Little Ninjas Program. Liesha Petrovich, chief instructor for the Little Ninja’s Program, says “Norman is a great teen-ager. He is a very talented Black Belt and an excellent instructor. He is focused and very respectful.”

Also during the competition, students from the Little Ninja Class, comprised of students ages 3-7, performed special forms they have been practicing.

The Sempai Spirit Award was presented to Nicholas Penczer of Bethel. Receiving the Shihan Spirit Award were Devon Willard of Norway for the Samurai Class, and Kristen O’Connor of Andover, for the Teen and Adult Program.

More information on classes can be obtained by calling Maine Kyokushin Karate at 743-8801, or visit www.mkkarate.com.