Prelude to the event
On the 3rd of January 2026, the 2025 World Karate League World Games were held at the Dallas Hilton Anatole Grand Ballroom located in the beautiful downtown Dallas metroplex. In attendance there were competitors from the west coast, east coast and central USA, Canada, Mexico and Venezuela. Many of the top champions were in attendance for the opportunity to become World Champions of the WKL 2025 season.
A word about the hotel venue. This is one of the largest, most elegant and most comprehensive hotels I have ever had the opportunity to compete with and stay at. It featured an entire water park, a massive 2-story work out gym with a Sona and an indoor Olympic size swimming pool building. For the runners it had a running path that encircled the whole outdoor sports complex. The actual hotel was accented in India accoutrements and actual full size Indian elephant statues. It has several concourses all over a football field in length. It featured 2 multi story atrium sections with a 28-story tower of 1st class suites and a high-end restaurant on the top floor tower section with a view of all Dallas to die for. And ranks as one of the largest hotels in the southern United states
The event highlights
Now back to the event. It could be said you can’t judge a book by its cover and the same can be said for this competition. Although the turnout was not as large as expected, the best in the WKL showed up. In the grand ballroom the competition exhibited a high level of skill with great performances in Kata-forms, weapons, sparring, kick boxing, grappling, full contact sparring, breaking and stick fighting. Throughout the entire tournament a level of perfection was observed that defined the hundreds of hours and hard work takes to be the best. There were many shining stars vying for the right to wear one of the beautiful world champion rings and to be crowned as the best of the best.
In attendance there were many past and present world champions, celebrities and current tournament producers who were on hand to officiate and give prestige to the event. Wayne Nguyen and Steve Cooper are two of the top officials of the WKL that joined forces with the other state groups to make this World Games the success that it was.
Special recognition was given to individuals who displayed service to the martial arts and all the producers.
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The Nighttime Finals
The evening was an amazing display of recognition and skill with the champions of the day competing for the right to be crowned the best in their category and the overall Top Guns.
The junior and adult divisions showcased remarkable talent and fierce competition. In the junior beginner division, India Nuon triumphed over Keith Valdez to capture the Beginner Grand Championship. The junior intermediate bracket featured four determined competitors, with Elijah Jurado ultimately taking first place. Stephen Snow emerged victorious in the junior advanced division, and Jennifer Clayton claimed a dramatic win against Johnny Compass. In the adult under black belt division, Jennifer Clayton continued her winning streak by defeating Ziad Abduhrghmoan and Johnny Compos Jr.
The junior black belt creative forms division was a highlight event, with Alejandro Gonzalez, Brady Clayton, and Braylon Yount all delivering outstanding performances. Ultimately, Braylon Yount secured the victory and was awarded the Junior Black Belt Grand Championship.
In the adult black belt traditional forms division, a strong field of competitors took the stage, including Luke Johnson, William Shelton, Marla Arbogast, Derek Greiner, Carol Parenti, Johnnie Murphy, Zachary Lusk, and Hayden Nguyen. After a hard-fought battle, Derek Greiner emerged as the overall grand champion, demonstrating both skill and composure in a tightly contested division.
The 18-plus black belt open kata division was equally competitive, featuring Maria Arbogast, Johnnie Murphy, Zachary Lusk, Carol Parenti, and Hayden Nguyen. The final rounds were especially thrilling, with each competitor raising the bar. Ultimately, Hayden Nguyen from California claimed victory, capturing the 18-plus black belt open grand championship in an exciting finish.
Sparring adult divisions were equally intense, with Steve Cooper of California winning the 40-plus men’s sparring category. While Chris Dixon won for the men’s 50-plus division. Deshawn Moton and Jayden Nguyen faced off in the adult black belt men’s sparring division and in a heated and technical series of exchanges Deshawn Moten pulled out a well-deserved victory capturing the men’s 18 plus adult sparring grand championship. The senior 35-plus division sparing grand championship was an amazing and technical contest between Ashlon Smith and Derek Griener, with Derek Griener ultimately coming out as the overall senior men’s 35-plus sparring grand champion.
This event was an exceptional event that featured an amazingly well run and timely conclusion to another great World Karate League World Championships.
