Local karate team wins in Las Vegas

Team UKKA, a competition karate team with students from both Sandpoint and Spirit Lake, represented both communities at the IMAC World Championship Karate Tournament in Las Vegas on June 22-23. 

Only three of the nine-member team were able to attend the event but even so, the three team members won four first-place trophies, four second-place trophies and two third-place trophies. Out of several hundred competitors, they were the only team representing North Idaho.

Taylor Jenkins, 13, of Sandpoint won a first-place trophy in synchronized weapons and three second-place trophies in forms and weapons.

“I had so much fun," Jenkins said. "The competition was intense. Even though we competed against opponents with higher belts, we still were able to place or win in almost every division we entered.”

Saydie Green, 14, of Spirit Lake won a first-place trophy in synchronized weapons, a first-place trophy in creative weapons, a first-place trophy in traditional weapons and a third-place trophy in forms.

“I’m proud of what we accomplished individually and as a team," Green said. "We put in the work and because of that, we performed well. “

Their instructor, Mike “Ziggy” Siegfried, 60, of Spirt Lake won a third-place trophy in black belt 40 and over creative forms.

“I cannot tell you how proud I am of these young ladies," Siegfried said. "Saydie is a 14-year-old orange belt and Taylor is a 13-year-old yellow belt. These belts are beginner belts and not yet intermediate ranks. Black belts are considered experts. In a strange turn of events, the girls competed against two adult female black belts. Saydie and Taylor won first place with a synchronized sword form called 'Katana.' It is a stunning accomplishment for such young martial artists to have achieved. One of the mottos on the wall at our studio is, 'Amateurs practice until they get it right, professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.' Saydie and Taylor definitely gave a professional performance."

To keep up with the team’s progress, watch them at idahoukka@youtube.com. 

The team is sponsored by the Verbal Judo Institute, Inc., a verbal de-escalation training company based in New York. Anyone interested in becoming a local sponsor can reach out to Idahoukka@gmail.com