Local Black Belts Earn Gold Medals for Team USA

Local Black Belts Earn Gold Medals for Team USA

The Edge Martial Arts Instructors Compete in Dublin, Ireland

October 21st, 2014 – Stillwater, MN. Master Nathan Thorn, 35, and Mr. Zach Koppa, 19, both of Stillwater, brought home 2 gold, 2 silver, and a bronze medal in a sport karate men’s sparring competition where they represented Team USA at the prestigious WKC (World Karate & Kickboxing Commission) Worlds. This annual invitation-only event was held in Dublin, Ireland.

Thorn and Koppa, joined of a Team of 50 other competitors from the USA who competed in many divisions and age brackets throughout the event. Team members competed in both Katas (traditional patterns), individual and team point-fighting, and individual and team kickboxing events in youth and adult age brackets.

Thorn, a competition veteran since age 8, has won tournaments from coast-to-coast in the USA -- this is his first opportunity to travel internationally -- ultimately claiming a World Title off US soil. Koppa has been following in his Instructor Nathan Thorn’s footsteps making a name for himself in the USA as well.

On his experience competing abroad, Master Nathan Thorn says, “in my 26 years of Martial Arts Competition I have never felt an energy like I did while representing Team USA and competing against other countries.”

Mr. Koppa shares his enjoyment of the tournament stating that, “being cheered on by all my teammates and fighting in a country against country atmosphere was much more intense than the other tournaments I’ve been to just traveling the US. The excitement was electric and the adrenaline rush was euphoric.”

Thorn is already prepping Team Edge to qualify and represent USA on it’s own soil in the coming year as the 2015 WKC World Championships will be held in Orlando, FL.

The Edge Martial Arts is located at 1654 Market Drive in Stillwater. Master Nathan Thorn, 7th Degree Black Belt, owns and is the Master Instructor at the Edge, holding recognition under the World Martial Arts Rank System. The Edge offers American Karate instruction for ages 4 and up as well as women’s and girl’s self defense classes. For more information contact us at 651.351.7750 or visit our website at www.edgemn.com.