The Champion Academy of Martial Arts east and west schools won ten gold, six silver and two bronze medals at the annual Michigan Cup International Championships last weekend.

Umar Durrant, the head instructor, was crowned the black belt forms grand champion at the championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The Michigan Cup is one of the largest Tae Kwon Do championships in the Great Lakes area and has evolved into an international event with participants from countries including Canada, Korea, and Mexico.

The local Taekwondo students who competed in the event included: Arianna Smith, of Mount St Agnes, Brianna Smith, of Sandys Middle school, Sivaja Perinchief, Al-Shae Landy, both of CedarBridge Academy, Nikai Dyer, of CederBridge, Asreal Basden, of CederBridge, Dwayne Creary and Josi Butterfield, both of Berkeley Institute, and Durrant.

Arianna Smith placed first in board breaking and second in sparring, while Brianna Smith was third in sparring. Perinchief finished first in forms and sparring and third in board breaking, while Landy was first in board breaking and first and second in forms.

Dyer and Basden both placed first in sparring, while Creary was second in sparring.

Butterfield had two seconds, in board breaking and sparring, and also placed first in board breaking.