Sacramento Karate Students Take Top Honors At National Competition

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - These kids are some of the best of the best in the karate world, and they call Sacramento home.

Several students at a local studio competed against thousands of others across the nation to take top honors and these karate kids are now hoping to compete against the world.

Karate is a sport that doesn't necessarily come easily.

"Trained five to six hours a day, twice a day" said chief instructor John Limcaco.

But 8-year old Tanner Glenn proves if you put the work in, age doesn't matter.

"Silver in weapons, silver in team sparring, gold in short weapons, gold in Kata," said Glenn.

Glenn and his teammates from International Karate Federation in Sacramento just beat out more than 3,000 at a national competition to receive 56 medals, 43 of them gold.

"I want them to learn that nothing comes easy in life, so the harder they work, hopefully the rewards will show in the end," said Limcaco.

"I feel great about it," said Glenn.

Two of his teammates also earned a coveted spot to represent the U.S. in the Pan American World Championships next month.

"It's like the best feeling because we're not in the Olympics yet but it gets you that feeling you're representing the USA," said 15-year-old Kameo Quenga.

Miles Monton was also lucky enough to make the team.

"It feels really good especially because it's my first time," said Monton.

Monton has been learning from Sensei Limcaco for six years and remains focused on his goal.

"To actually win the Olympics," said Monton.

And that could become a reality. Limcaco says karate is a top seed for being picked as a sport in the 2020 games.

"I always hoped karate would be in the Olympics. It's not up to us, it's up to a committee. All we can do is hope," said Limcaco.

Hope one day they can achieve Olympic gold.

"I picture myself walking up to first place and just smiling big because I know it will be the best feeling in the world," said Quenga.

The chief instructor was also selected as a Team USA head coach.

They leave in a couple of weeks for the international competition.