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18-year old Mena Tankard won three championships in her first competition as Washington Karate Academy students competed in the 19th annual Karate Madness Open Championship in Kinston earlier this month.

Tankard finished first in Empty Hand Kata, Kubudo (weapons) and Kumite (sparring) in the adult women 18-34 advanced brown belt division.

Joshua Chandler, age 40, and a fifth-degree black belt took first in the adult men 35-55 executive black belt division in Kubudo (weapons) and finished second in Empty Hand Kata.

“I’m very proud of both of them,” Washington Karate Academy Hanshi David Warren said. “It’s a great accomplishment for Mena to win three trophies in her first competition