The 2026 Centex Open Martial Arts Tournament, orchestrated by Chance Turner on April 18th brought together martial artists from across the region to compete in various disciplines. Participants showcased their skills in forms, sparring, and weapon categories, making the event a highlight for the local martial arts community.
The tournament emphasized sportsmanship, discipline, and camaraderie, with athletes of all ages and experience levels taking part. Spectators enjoyed thrilling matches and impressive demonstrations, reflecting the dedication and talent present at the event.
Renowned as an NBL world champion, Chance Turner has earned widespread respect for his remarkable achievements and steadfast dedication to martial arts. From his earliest days as a young competitor, Chance’s journey was shaped by strong family support, particularly from his mother, whose partnership has been instrumental in his rise to becoming an outstanding black belt and an accomplished tournament organizer. Their collaborative leadership was evident in the seamless execution of the 2026 Centex Open, which they chose to host at Atkins High School in Austin, TX—a venue selected for its excellent facilities and welcoming atmosphere. The event stands as a testament to Chance’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the martial arts community, reflecting both his personal growth and his passion for fostering excellence, unity, and sportsmanship within the sport.
One of my personal favorite locations for a tournament is Austin, TX. Austin is possibly one of the most beautiful places in the country, its rolling hills, amicable location, and amazing people set it apart from other cities in Texas as a progressive and outstanding place to live and work. It has supported top tech industries in the country for many years and is responsible for some of the greatest innovations in computer technology and science. A favorite for many is 6th Street, which is an incredible venue for nightlife, entertainment, and industry meeting places. I have been there many times and experienced firsthand the camaraderie and excitement of being in Austin during its many social events and festive holiday atmosphere. This year, the Centex Open received tremendous support from people across Texas, with numerous martial arts clubs uniting to make the event a memorable gathering for the community. The TKO organization ensured the tournament included technical divisions such as stick fighting, jujitsu-style grappling, and continuous sparring in a kickboxing format. Spectators were treated to incredible breaking competitions, drawing breakers from all over Texas and the country to demonstrate their ability to smash boards and crumble bricks, a thrilling and sometimes nerve-wracking spectacle due to the intensity and occasional injuries.
Despite the inherent risks in breaking divisions, the tournament organizers prioritized safety with proper protocols and protective gear, resulting in minimal injuries throughout all contests. Overall, the Centex Open proved to be a safe and rewarding environment for competitors to test their skills against martial artists from Texas and neighboring states, fostering growth and camaraderie within the sport.
The tournament ran smoothly and efficiently throughout the entire day as there were many extremely experienced and qualified judges on hand with TKO and other organizations that have years of experience in competing, running tournaments, and judging at these types of events. Many high-ranking martial artists are typically present to head up the rings where the events play out, ensuring fair and accurate scoring. As usual, the event ran through and finalized with grand championships, as the TKO offers grand championships in beginner, intermediate, and advanced divisions, as well as black belt divisions for both youth and adults. This sets it apart from other organizations that do not have an extensive repertoire of runoffs, exhibiting a wide range of skill sets and levels for individuals who have won their divisions and are allowed to enter the grand championships and receive amazing awards and the black belts get cash as part of their winnings. The excitement and anticipation surrounding the grand championship runoffs added an extra layer of prestige to the tournament, highlighting the competitive spirit and dedication found within Chance Turners Centex Open. The day finalized with the grand championships, beginning with the under black belt grand championships preceding the black belt grand championships.
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The junior beginner division featured Gregory Garcia, Ricky Valdez, Andrew Coronel, Kali Holmes, and Victoria Granc competing for the beginner grand championship title, with Andrew Coronel emerging as the grand champion for the junior beginner forms division. The junior intermediate forms division was quite extensive, including competitors Riya Pilli, Enzo Rashane, Daniela Padron, Dominic Cooley, Jazi Alanizi, Austin Fischer, Manasoa Padmanabhan, and Adam Ochs. Ultimately, Dominic Cooley was the judges’ favorite and took home the impressive Jr Intermediate grand championship prize trophy. The junior advanced forms division saw strong participation, with Mariah Juarez, Shawn Hart, Gwendolyn Guerrera, Eliza Harris, David Martinez, Rodney Phillips, Elijah Jurado, James Sanchez, and Zachary Phillips all competing for the top spot. Ultimately, Rodney Phillips distinguished himself among his peers, pulling ahead to claim the grand championship victory.
In the adult under black belt forms grand championship, Raymond Snyder, Lavaris Davis, Lisa Carp, and Jennifer Clayton showcased their talents. Jennifer Clayton captivated the audience with her stunning bow staff performance, demonstrating impressive releases around her neck, body, and high into the air. Given Jennifer’s background as a baton expert in school, it’s clear she possesses the skill and determination to become a future black belt champion.
The black belt forms grand championships came last, featuring the junior black belt competitors: Jordan Parker, Maria Juarez, Brianna Sanchez, David Islas, Eve Perry, Anna Soto, Alainah Nabi, and the remarkable Lily McConnell. Notably, David Islas was the only male among the finalists, yet he delivered an outstanding traditional kata that captivated both judges and spectators. His performance stood out for its precision and power, ultimately earning him the junior black belt forms grand championship title.
The adult black belt grand championship at the 2026 Centex Open Martial Arts Tournament was a showcase of elite talent and fierce competition, drawing top martial artists from across the state and beyond. Samantha Helcher, Brady Clayton, Luke Johnson, Nelson Nathaniel and Christina Subonj competed for the top prize. Among the standout competitors was Christina Subonj, whose dynamic form and precision earned her the coveted adult black belt grand championship title. Her performance was both technically masterful and inspiring, setting a high standard for excellence in the division. The tournament also featured intense action in the sparring divisions. In the Junior Boys 12-17 Black Belt Sparring Grand Championship, Ethan Montufar demonstrated exceptional technique and determination, outmaneuvering a highly skilled field to secure a decisive victory. The Junior Girls 12-17 Black Belt Sparring Grand Championship saw Brianna Sanchez deliver a commanding performance, combining speed and strategic skill to claim the grand championship.
The Men’s Black Belt Sparring Grand Championship brought together some of the region’s most formidable fighters. Dagan Talbert distinguished himself with powerful, controlled techniques and tactical acumen, ultimately prevailing to take home the men’s grand championship trophy. In the Women’s Black Belt Sparring Grand Championship, Christina Subonj again rose to the occasion, capturing her second grand championship of the event and underlining her status as one of the tournament’s premier athletes.
Adding to the prestige of the Centex Open, the event was attended by multiple world champions and respected grand masters, whose presence elevated the level of competition and inspired participants. The tournament’s AAA rating by Texas Sport Karate News further highlighted its excellence, affirming its reputation as one of the most distinguished martial arts events in the region. This atmosphere of high achievement and recognition made the 2026 Centex Open a memorable and celebrated gathering for martial arts enthusiasts.
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