CAMPBELL — Gerry Townsend's proficiency in taekwondo has steadily advanced since he first began, resulting in several victories throughout the summer.
Townsend, who attends Campbell Elementary School has taken his martial arts skills to new heights by collecting some key wins from three tournaments. He’s been involved in taekwondo for a little over three years and has done some intense training with Tony Page at Black Belt Academy in Poplar Bluff for the past 16 months.
Townsend competed in his first tournament on April 6 at the Battle of the Brave in Bentonville, AR where he received first in Traditional Forms and Traditional Sparring and fifth in Stick Sparring. During his second tournament on April 27 at the GTMA Dragon Warrior in Owensboro, KY, Townsend returned home with more medals. He received first in Traditional Forms, Traditional Weapons, Traditional Sparring and CMX Weapons and snagged second in Stick Sparring.
Though Townsend is new to the competition level, he has continued to flourish by winning his most accolades during the summer. He competed in the GTMA Celebration 2024 Global Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina on July 13. He participated in six events and received six awards.
Townsend won first in Stick Sparring and followed winning second in Traditional Forms, Traditional Sparring, CMX Forms, and CMX Weapons, and third place in Traditional Weapons.
Townsend is currently a black belt recommended and will be completing all requirements for his black belt in October. Townsend said he enjoys helping those in class who are just starting taekwondo and his main goal is to become a 5th-degree black belt.