04/29/2026
Four of our young competition team members, 18-year-old A’sa Brown, 12 year old Anya Martinez, and her two younger sisters, 10 year old Illyana, and 7 year old Mileena Martinez went and represented Mr. Dee’s Karate at the Battle of Pennsylvania Martial Arts Championships this past Saturday April 25th.
It was one of many martial arts tournaments that each of these young warriors have competed in over the past 12 months. And just like many of the other tournament, they competed against competitors who they have never competed against before and that’s what continues to motivate them to come to class several times a week to train.
They understand that as they move up in age and rank, they will be competing against competitors who have more experience and some who they have never competed against before.
This was especially the case with 18 year old A’sa Brown. This was his first time competing in the adult black belt division since turning 18 years old this past April 10th. And wouldn’t you know it, he ended up competing in the same adult black belt men weapon, empty-hand kata, and kumite division as Camron Klos – who is one of the best overall black belt competitors in the country.
It was 18 year old A’sa Brown’s first time competing as an adult black belt, but you wouldn’t have known that if you didn’t know him. He was up against a few competitors who have been competing in the adult black belts division for a long time, but A’sa came well prepared to pulling off a few victories and take his place among the list of adult black belt men winners of the Battle of Pennsylvania Martial Arts Championships. His wins in the adult black belt men division include 1st in Weapon Kata, 2nd in Kumite, 3rd in Empty-Hand Kata, and 4th in Chanbara.
12 year old Anya Martinez and her two younger sisters 10 year old Illyana, and 7 year old Mileena Martinez also pull a few impressive victories in their divisions. If the tournament is a PKC Sanction tournament, you can be sure these 3 young warriors will most likely be there no matter where the tournament is held. Each of them have won National Titles in their divisions over the past 4 years.
If the victories that the Martinez girls pull off at the Battle of Pennsylvania Martial Arts Championships this past Saturday are any indication it looks like they are looking to win another National Title at the end of the 2026 PKC Tournament Championship Series. Anya took 1st in the 11–12-year-old Girls Black Belt Empty-Hand Kata, 2nd in Weapon, and 2nd in Kumite. Illyana took 1st in the 9–10-year-old Girls Weapon, 1st in Empty-Hand kata, and 1st in Kumite. Mileena took 1st in the 7-year-old Girls and Boys Weapon, 1st in Empty-Hand Kata, and 3rd in Kumite.
So proud of my young competition team members. Everyone please join me in congratulating A’sa Brown, Anya Martinez and her 2 younger sisters, Illyana, and Mileena.
