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Local martial artists brings medals home to Orange County

| 07 Feb 2012 | 04:05
    Photo provided by Success Martial Arts In their second year of competition at the New York State Martial Arts Championships, competitors from Success Martial Arts, which has facilities in Chester and Central Valley, more than doubled their achievement from last year. Their team also was twice as large.
    Photo provided by Success Martial Arts In their second year of competition at the New York State Martial Arts Championships, competitors from Success Martial Arts, which has facilities in Chester and Central Valley, more than doubled their achievement from last year. Their team also was twice as large.

CHESTER — In their second year of competition at the New York State Martial Arts Championships, competitors from Success Martial Arts, which has facilities in Chester and Central Valley, more than doubled their achievement from last year. Their team also was twice as large.

“Last year was our first time in competition; we had only a handful of athletes,” said Sensei Russ Ferdico, the team’s coach. “This year we went up with eighteen competitors and put Success Martial Arts and Orange County on the map.”

This year’s tournament, held in Troy, produced a record-breaking turnout of more than 350 athletes. Most were former Junior Olympic and national competitors with years of tournament experience. Success Martial Arts students were “the new kids on the block,” as their coach put it.

“Yes, we took home some medals,” Ferdico said in his press release recounting the results. “One of our athletes, Brian Dutcher, won his division and took home the gold.

“But the real test was having my team rise to the challenge of competing against more experienced opponents and former champions - seeing them outmanned, out gunned and still perform at their bestFor more information about Success Martial Arts, visit www.smacenters.com.