On Feb. 17, students from Bayonne Martial Arts school competed against the best of the best at a karate championship held in Caguas, Puerto Rico, in the Hector Sola Bezares Coliseum under the direction of Master Ruby Camacho. Competitors from around the world gathered to fight for top honors.

Master Sensei Thomas R. Hudacko, sixth Dan, was chosen to compete and put together a team, which joined together with karate schools in the northeast to form Team America.

Team Bayonne consisted of Master Thomas Hudacko, sixth Dan; Sempai Kathleen Andrade, third Dan; instructor Emma Christie, second Dan; and instructor Opinder Singh, first Dan.

Sempai Andrade placed third in kata in the 18-year-old and over black belt division. Instructor Christie placed second in kata and third in kumite in the under 18-year-old black belt division. Instructor Singh placed first in kata in the under 18-year-old black belt division.

Bayonne Martial Arts classes are held at Lincoln Community School on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Children’s classes are held from 6 to 7 p.m., and adult classes are held from 7 to 9 p.m.

For more information, call Bayonne Community Adult Education at (201) 858-5850 or visit the Bayonne Martial Arts Facebook page.