October 17, 2009 update: Mannford Institute of Karate wins at the Shotokan Tiger’s “The Pirate’s Realm” 2009 Karate Tournament of Youth in Broken Arrow, OK!
Katie Carr, 2nd DAN and Sensei of the Mannford Institute of Karate brought her student, White Belt Quint Morrow, to compete at the Shotokan Tiger’s 2009 Tournament of Youth – “The Pirates Realm”. Quint competed in Fighting competition and won 2nd Place! Katie also competed and took 1st Place in Forms Competition as well as 1st Place in Fighting!
Grandmaster Janis Fraley took some time out from the tournament to visit with Katie, and was kind enough to have her picture taken.
Sensei Katie Carr instructs her student, White Belt Quint Morrow
Katie Carr, 2nd DAN, pictured with Ms. Janis Fraley, 10th DAN at the Shotokan Tigers’ Karate Tournament
September 24, 2009 update: Soliday Black Belt and Champion MMA fighter Thomas “Thunderkick” Longacre visits UGKA Schools!
Mr. Soliday, 9th DAN, pictured with Thomas “Thunderkick” Longacre, 3rd DAN, and Mr. Teddy Soliday, 3rd DAN.
The GOJU Warriors! Katie “Iron Fist” Carr, Midwest Martial Arts Fighting Champion, two time AKA National Fighting Champion, and 2nd Degree Black Belt, is pictured with Thomas “Thunderkick” Longacre, MMA Champion, Kickboxing Champion, and 3rd Degree Black Belt, along with Japanese Goju Ryu Karate Fighting Legend Nancie “Tiny” Longacre, 7th Degree Black Belt!
Thomas “Thunderkick” Longacre arrived in the Tulsa area to fight in the upcoming Strikeforce Challengers match which will be airing live on Showtime Sports! Thomas Longacre is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Japanese Goju Ryu Karate under Mr. Soliday and went on to work with Apollo’s Karate in addition to launching his professional fighting career in Kickboxing. Thomas later entered Chuck Norris’ World Combat League and provided his strong leadership and skills to the Oklahoma Destroyers with fights so memorable they are featured on a Greatest Hits DVD available from the WCL! Thomas launched his MMA career in the eXtreme Fight League, eventually becoming the XFL’s reigning Champion. With the upcoming Strikeforce Challengers MMA Cage Match in Tulsa, Thomas gets a shot at debuting in one of the larger Mixed Martial Arts circuits in the country – not to mention national television exposure as his fight will be carried live on Showtime Sports!
More information on Thomas “Thunderkick” Longacre can be found on his website at http://www.tkick.tv including his bio of how he entered into professional fighting!
Thunderkick visited the Sand Springs Institute of Karate this past week, working out with the class and spending time with Sensei Scott Collins, 7th DAN.
On Tuesday, Thunderkick came to the Sapulpa Institute of Karate, spending time with his Sensei and mentor, Mr. Soliday, 9th DAN. Thomas also spent time visiting with UGKA Instructor Teddy Soliday, 3rd DAN, as well as visiting with Ms. Katie Carr, 2nd DAN, who has benefited from more than one fight training with Thomas during her karate tournament career. Thomas’ help, along with Goju Fighting Legend Nancie “Tiny” Longacre, 7th DAN, has contributed greatly to Katie’s titles as a two time Oklahoma State Fighting Champion, two time American Karate Association Fighting Champion, Midwest Martial Arts Association Fighting Champion, and of course her recent induction into the Midwest Martial Arts Hall of Fame!
Each of the schools and their students were extremely grateful for the time Thomas took out of his busy schedule to visit.
At Thomas “Thunderkick” Longacre’s weigh-in for the Strikeforce Challengers MMA fight on Showtime was Mr. Ted Soliday, 9th DAN and Goju Black Belt Legends and UGKA Directors Darrell Maggard and Bob Santini.
