Three locals bring home medals at Martial Arts Festival in Florida

The high kicking, power punching karate Pastor Tim Moore does it again by bringing home two gold medals and the overall Grand Champion Trophy for classical style Japanese/Okinawa karate.

This time Moore, his son Jacob and friend Michael McEntire traveled to Orlando, Flor. for the Martial Arts World Expo at the Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex the weekend of Oct. 24.

All three competitors are from the Lake Stevens area and placed very well in their class.

“I’m more than proud of these two guys,” Moore said.

Both boys moved up from their perspective class to compete against more experienced fighters, giving up almost sure wins in their own class.
Jacob is currently a red belt and fought against black belt competitors while McEntire moved up a category from his ranking as a novice to compete at the intermediate level.

“There were over 250 finalists,” Moore said as he explained that this was the largest event of this type in the world.

McEntire said this was a great experience and he attributes his success to Moore for the training and discipline he has given him.

If both boys keep competing and winning, they stand a good chance of making it to the Olympics the next time around, Moore said.

The experience for the three was overwhelming, but more for the two boys.

Moore has been teaching karate for over 20 years and has seen his share of competitions but still prefers to be where the action is and with his son.
“I was asked to oversee the referees next time but decided to continue competing,” he said, adding that you can’t compete and oversee all those refs.

Besides he added, “I want to be competing with my son.”
Now that the three are back home, it doesn’t mean that they’ll stop competing or working out. With another large competition less than six months away in Disneyland, there’s a lot of work to be done.

Jacob, meanwhile, was in the background kicking one of the heavy bags in the gym eagerly waiting to get back to the business of working out.

Moore continues to train and stay in shape by offering classes at the Snohomish Fitness Club and beginning Nov. 11, he will be offering two classes daily on Tuesdays and Thursdays for all skill levels.

“The secret to longevity and doing well in martial arts, is that you have to enjoy it,” Moore said.

For those interested in learning how to stay fit and learn martial arts, you can either go to: www.snohomishfitness.com or call the gym at 360-568-0588.

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