Clara's First Karate Tournament

 On Saturday, March 5, Clara competed in the Indiana State Karate Championship.  This was her first karate competition and she was nervous.  She competed in two events: kata and weapons.  Kata consists of two competitors performing a series of learned karate moves in front of a panel of three judges.  Each competitor carries out their routine consisting of kicks and punches.  Then the judges vote based on their performance.  Whoever wins the majority of the votes then advances.  

The next round was weapons.  Clara had a bow staff and proceeded to execute her routine with great precision.  

When all was said and done, Clara earned 2nd place in her division for both kata and weapons.  

She did not participate in sparring (which you can see in the background of the top few photos) but she hopes to start kicking butt in her division at the Chicago tournament happening at the end of March.