It’s always a pleasure to attend TKO events. There’s something truly special about attending major martial arts events—the energy in the air, the thrill of competition, and the chance to reconnect with friends old and new. Reporting for various martial arts organizations has been both an honor and a pleasure, allowing me to witness firsthand the positive impact these disciplines have on communities, especially in fostering youth development and personal growth. Each tournament is a celebration, not only of skill but of character and unity, and it’s a privilege to meet renowned martial artists whose dedication inspires all of us. The excitement and camaraderie found here remind me why martial arts are so much more than a sport; they’re a way of life.
This year’s November 22nd and 23rd, 2025 TKO State Championship was held at the prestigious Hilton Anatole Hotel, situated in downtown Dallas. If you’re fortunate enough to have a room with a view, the hotel offers a truly breathtaking experience, highlighted by a skyline that’s almost unbelievable. The venue’s atmosphere added an extra layer of excitement and elegance to the event, making the championship even more memorable for everyone in attendance.
Prelude to the event
The TKO State Championships showcase a wide array of martial arts disciplines, offering many levels and age categories so that everyone has an opportunity to compete fairly under the guidance of skilled judges. The event features grappling, kickboxing, full-contact sparring, and point sparring, as well as kata- open-hand techniques and breaking. Both traditional and contemporary forms are included, with music permitted for the contemporary divisions to add an energetic flair.
Among the many highlights of the championship, the creative weapons divisions stood out as some of the most thrilling categories. Competitors showcased remarkable versatility, wielding a range of weapons from diverse martial arts traditions. Their routines, often set to dynamic music, captivated the audience and displayed not only technical skill but also artistry and showmanship, making these performances truly unforgettable.
Virtually thousands of hours of practice and many years of competition have elevated these competitors to a skill level that can only be described as Olympic caliber. There’s no doubt that, if martial arts were included in the Olympics, athletes of all ages here would make a lasting impression—and many would likely bring home gold medals. Their commitment and excellence shine through every performance, setting a standard for others to follow.
Skill brackets are carefully designed to ensure competitors face others of similar age and experience, making the tournament inclusive and competitive for all participants. This year’s championship spanned two days, with adult competitors taking to the mats on Saturday, while younger athletes vied for top honors in sparring and other art forms on Sunday. The structure allowed each group to shine in their respective categories, enhancing the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship throughout the event. This included the breaking divisions where very interesting breakers broke everything from boards to cinder blocks, exhibiting their skill and strength and contributing valuable skills to the excitement of the TKO State Championships.
A major part of the event ran through Saturday, culminating in a nighttime final, which is traditionally held at every state championship on stage. All the black belt youth divisions and black belt adult divisions are run in a final contest for the title of state grand champion in each category. This year, the main nighttime finals were held on stage with some of the best judges from the state and surrounding areas, further enhancing the overall atmosphere of fair competition. The anticipation and energy in the room were palpable as competitors showcased their top-level skills in front of an enthusiastic audience.
The Saturday Night Finals
The junior black belt creative weapons and forms division featured an intense contest among some of Texas’s most talented youth competitors: Bradley Clayton of Katy, representing team K2 Karate; Grace Aguilar from Houston with the Al Garza School; Ashley Poruri from Austin’s Peak Performance Club; Bryan Yount from Tyler’s Pro-comp Sport Martial Arts; Valentina Flores of Fort Worth and Lone Star Black Belt Academy; Topher Robertson of Houston and PMA Houston Club; Luke Wostal from Friendswood and Bushi Bon International; and Max Juarez. Each martial artist delivered a thrilling showcase of extreme martial arts skill, blending speed, precision, and creativity in their routines.
After a remarkable display, it was Grace Aguilar who emerged victorious, earning the coveted title of 2025 Junior Black Belt Creative Forms TKO State Grand Champion. Her performance, marked by dynamic technique and artistic flair, captivated both judges and spectators alike, making her achievement one of the standout moments of this year’s championship.
Next up in the nighttime finals was the highly anticipated adult black belt creative weapons and forms division, featuring Tracy Armstead from the Kickstart organization, Christina Subong—student of Tracy Armstead, Morgan Smith of G Force Martial Arts, Johnnie Murphy and Carol Parenti from Champions Bushido Martial Arts, and DJ Moore. This group represented some of the greatest martial artists from Texas and the surrounding areas, and their contest was nothing short of a battle of the Titans. Each competitor performed with flawless precision, pushing the limits of creativity and skill with techniques executed at the highest level. The energy and intensity on stage were palpable, as every finalist sought to outperform the others with their remarkable artistry.
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After an exhilarating showdown, Morgan Smith of Stafford, TX, emerged as this year’s Adult Black Belt Creative Weapons and Forms State Grand Champion. Smith’s routine blended technical mastery of the whip chain with creative flair, earning enthusiastic applause from both judges and the audience. The victory was a testament to years of dedication and training and capped off the Adult black belt Creative weapons finals with a truly memorable performance. Then, after some unique individuals were recognized for their contributions and for the time they devoted to making the TKO Texas State Championships a top performer in the martial arts world, the junior black belt traditional forms division took center stage. Lillian Guajardo of Houston, TX and Al Garza PMA School faced off against Michaela Cauldren from San Antonio and Karate International, Ejona Morrow of Houston, TX from Al Garza PMA, Brandy Clayton from Katy, TX representing Team K2 Karate, Topher Robertson of Houston, TX and PMA Heights School, Valentina Flores from Fort Worth, TX and Lone Star Black Belt Academy, Aldrick Marin also of Fort Worth, TX and Lone Star Black Belt Academy. Each competitor pulled out all the stops to impress the high ranking judges headed up by the amazing Gill Urias founder of Team Gipsy. These junior black belts demonstrated the extreme discipline required to excel in traditional weapons and forms.
The static energy in the room was enough to make your hair stand on end, with the competitors’ quiet, stealthy precision punctuated by powerful kiais that could wake the dead. In the end, the unbelievable skill of Michaela Cauldron prevailed. She captured the title of Junior Black Belt Traditional Forms and Weapons 2025 TKO State Grand Champion, earning well-deserved recognition for her mastery and dedication in one of the event’s most demanding categories.
The adult black belt traditional forms and weapons division featured a stellar lineup of internationally renowned champions and top-tier martial artists who delivered performances that were among the most powerful and captivating in recent memory. Tracy Armstead once again secured a spot in the finals, joined by his talented student Christina Subong. Johnnie Murphy stepped onto the stage and presented a flawless, commanding traditional staff form, exemplifying the high level of skill and precision for which he is known.
David Johnson followed with his world-class rendition of the Japanese kata Gojushiho, a routine he has perfected over years of competition, including appearances at the NBL world games. Carol Parenti, representing Champions Bushido in Houston, TX, returned to the stage to perform her signature Kanku Dai Kata, with Jeremy Raygo closing out the division. After an intense and exhilarating contest among these outstanding athletes, it was Christina Subong who stole the show. Her extraordinary flexibility and technical range, especially her ability to hold high kicks and seamlessly transition into a second volley of airborne kicks, left both judges and spectators in awe. For her remarkable routine and consistent excellence, Christina Subong was awarded the title of Black Belt Adult Traditional Weapons and Forms Grand Champion, a well-deserved recognition of her dedication and exceptional talent.
During the tournament, I witnessed some sparring matches that were no less than professional class and truly stood up to any competition I have seen, including those from NASCA, NBL, and other renowned national organizations. Throughout the day, a series of memorable bouts unfolded—each one hard-fought and showcasing a level of skill that bordered on the Olympic Level. Later that Saturday night, three adult black belt men’s sparring finalists took the stage for the men’s sparring grand championship.
Black Belt Sparring and finale
First up in the men’s sparring finals was Mason Files of Alvin, TX, facing off against Zach Bryan. The fight was a nail-biter, with the momentum shifting back and forth before Zach Bryan advanced to meet Chance Turner. In the championship bout, the atmosphere was electric as these two dynamic and technical fighters squared off—Zach Bryan bringing youth and agility, while Chance Turner relied on his power and experience. Ultimately, Chance Turner’s strategic prowess gave him the edge, allowing him to overcome his opponent and claim the men’s black belt state grand championship.
In the men’s executive black belt sparring division, Joel Zamurripa of Houston Karate Academy faced off against Ashland Smith from H Town Karate. After a competitive match, Ashland Smith emerged victorious, defeating Zamurripa and adding another highlight to the evening’s lineup.
The evening finalized with a tribute to past and present celebrities and martial artists who have contributed a great deal to the TKO organization and martial arts in general. Rommell Gargoles and Chance turner were awarded the overall TKO lifetime MVP for their accomplishments and contributions to Texas Martial arts. All of the TKO organization producers were given special awards to commemorate their participation and dedication to the organization. In the end, a walkthrough on stage for every single person that competed at the 2025 TKO State Championships was held, and each participant received a special ring to honor their involvement at the event.
The following day, Sunday, saw junior under belt and senior under belt fighters return for their championship runoff rounds in their respective divisions. Specialty divisions—including grappling, stick fighting, kickboxing, and full contact continuous sparring—also took place, giving competitors a chance to showcase their skills and determination across a wide range of martial arts disciplines.
The whole event ran smoothly with great judges and professional staff. I look forward to next year’s TKO State Championships.
