Meet Steven Smith new coach of the Thunderbirds...

Steven Smith comes to the Thunderbirds with the highest marks a coach and experienced Black Belt can! Steven trained with Master Al Garza from Texas who is currently featured on the cover of MA Success Magazine. Mr. Smith filled the role at Al Garza's school as demonstration team leader, coach and choreographer. A role he filled for several years. Steven joined the United States Marine Corp in 2008 and is currently stationed at the naval installation on Panama City Beach as a dive instructor. Al Garza called Marty Martin and they talked about the Karate Training Centers, and it seemed to be a great fit for Steven’s experience and desire to continue doing what he loves best – coaching explosive karate demonstration teams like the Thunderbirds. The rest is a work in progress – Steven taking over the role of Thunderbirds coach from Mr. Martin who founded the team and has coached them to numerous national and world championships. Coach Martin comments that Steven can take this team to exciting new highs and leave a cadre of young instructors like Chris, Forrest and Sean to take over the XMA moves when his instructor dive tour at the navy base is over. Welcome to the new coach of the Thunderbirds Mr. Steven Smith.

Venus Gonzalez wins 2nd at Battle of Atlanta...

Venus Gonzalez shows the awards she won at this year’s Battle of Atlanta. This was Venus very first karate tournament ever. She won second place in traditional forms and third in weapons and creative forms. We at the Karate Center are very proud of her accomplishments. Wining in national level competition your first time in competition says you have the ability to be very special and Venus is.

Oct 24th and 25th 2008, Wide World of Sports, Orlando Florida

Several members of the Thunderbirds participated in the Disney Martial Arts Festival. The tournament was well run and good sized with competitiors from several countries. Every team member brought home "Disney" awards!

Oct 10^th and 11^th 2008, Bloomington , MN Diamond National World Karate Championships

Matt Hunter won four 1^st places! Matt won the 8/9 yr old intermediate Traditional Forms, Traditional Weapons, Creative Forms and Sparring divisions. Coach Martin “this is a really exceptional performance, the Diamond Nationals is the best run tournament on the NASKA circuit. To win is great, too win four first places is very special! Way to go Matt!!!”

18th Annual Southern Open, Phenix City, Al. Oct 4th, 2008

6 Members of the Thunderbirds brought home 12 trophies out of 12 events; Jared M. - 1st Sparring, Eric - 1st Sparring, Matt H - 1st Sparring, 1st Open Forms, 2nd Weapons; John H - 3rd weapons, 3rd forms, 3rd sparring, Chris J - 3rd weapons, 3rd forms, 2nd sparring, John Eddie - 1st sparring

Thunderbirds win at the "2008 Sunshine Classic”!

Areion Gautier, Dillion Bush, John Hunter, Matt Hunter, Josh Powell and Shawn Gautier all won 1^st place at the 2008 Sunshine Classic held by the World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization. Panama City Beach , Florida .

Thunderbirds win lots at the 41st “Battle of Atlanta” 2008

Members of the Thunderbirds from Marty Martin’s Karate Training Centers once again show their stuff. Every member of the team brought home awards from the 41^st Battle held August 1^st and 2^nd at the Hilton Hotel, Atlanta Ga.

Matt Watson wins both the men’s Creative Weapons and Traditional Kata advanced division at the 41^st Battle of Atlanta. Matt has gone undefeated this season – a great accomplishment since his 5 year absence serving the United States Marine Corp.

Matt VanGennep wins 3^rd place in the men’s heavyweight division at the 41^st Battle of Atlanta. Matt once again displayed why he is feared in the heavyweight division he moves like no other big man on the circuit right now.

28th Annual Southern Region Open Tournament

Dothan Al.

Matt Van Ganneup - 1st place men's heavyweight sparring.

John Johnson - 2nd place men's lightheavy weight sparring.

30^th Diamond Nationals World Karate Championships

Team members won 23 awards inclusive of seven 1^st places at the 30^th Diamond Nationals World Karate Championships held in the River Center, Minneapolis St. Paul, Minn. Team members included from the back Matt Darnell, Arieon Gautier, Zack Kubisz, John Hunter, Dylan Bush and Matt Hunter.