Karate students gamble on Vegas and win bronze

Students from the Benoit Martial Arts school faced — and defeated — some powerful foes from across the world in three recent tournaments at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.

The four young competitors, Disal Wickramasinghe, Juliana Meandro, Bradley Chaput and Marrisa Meandro, have returned home with four bronze medals. The three USA Karate-sanctioned tournaments were held over four days at the Vegas hotel.

First up was the North American Cup on April 2, featuring competitors form Canada, USA and Mexico. Bradley captured a bronze medal in the 14-15 male elite kata division.

Following that was the Junior International Cup (JIC) on April 3, featuring athletes under age 18 from across the world and across skill levels.

Disal won a bronze medal in the 17-year-old male advanced kata division, while Juliana took a bronze in the 11-year-old girl advanced kata division.

And finally on April 4-5, the U.S. Open drew some of the best young martial arts competitors from across the globe. Bradley once again earned a bronze medal; this time in the advanced weapons division.

Prior to heading to Vegas, the some of the same Benoit students were at the 2015 Canadian Open Martial Arts Championships on March 28th in Gatineau, Que.

Five of the school's students participated, bringing home a total of nine medals.

Bradley Chaput earned bronze in the traditional kata challenge, traditional kata and traditional weapons. Connor DiSalle picked up silver in traditional kata. Ryan DiSalle won silver in traditional kata, while Juliana Meandro took bronze in traditional kata and traditional weapons. And Marissa Meandro earned silver in the traditional kata challenge and bronze in traditional weapons.