WATERTOWN -- Several St. Lawrence County residents competed in the American Kang Duk Won Karate 41st Annual International Championships Saturday, March 29 at Jefferson Community College.

Three hundred members of the martial arts school participated in sparring, formal exercises (kata), traditional weapons competitions and demonstrations.

St. Lawrence County competitors included Chase Bertrand, Maddolyn Bertrand, Stephen Folk, Josie Gabriel, Cristiano Palumbo, Francesco Palumbo, Cooper Stuntz and Cheryl Stuntz from the Canton area; Bailey Friot, Andrew Friot, Dan Green, Drew Green, Luci Green, Max Green, Alexis Michael and Katherine Smith fro the Ogdensburg and Heuvelton area; Sam Kramer and Jared Pitts from the Potsdam and Norwood area; Aren Gomez, Jaiden Gomez, Tsali Gomez, Derek Pelkey and Laurean Pelkey from the Madrid and Waddington area; and Owen Green, Richard Haynes, Phillip Kramer, Kyle Stearne, Hailey Meagher, Austin Milone, Tucker Mussaw, Audrey Ormasen, Isaiah Sochia and Kaleigh Weber of the Gouverneur and Harrisville area.

The students were instructed by American Kang Duk Won black belt instructors Jennifer Palumbo and Eli Rupp of Canton, John Rupp of Madrid, Chris Lewis and Ron Sellers in the Ogdensburg and Heuvelton area, Andrew Ellis and Michael Jackson in the Gouverneur and Harrisville area, Mark Norman of Norwood and Charlene Rydgren of Malone.

Master black belt instructors Frank Palumbo of Canton and Debbie Hintopoulos of Potsdam served as directors of the championships.

For more information call 386-3029 or visit americankangdukwon.org.