Local husband and wife martial arts studio owners Justin and Robin Cuellar recently competed in the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) World Championships in Orlando, Fla. with 27-year old Justin coming away as the ISKA World Power Concrete Kick Champion (Lightweight Division) after successfully breaking 10 bricks (20 inches). His wife Robin finished fifth overall in the creative division.
“The whole process started when Chip Townsend, a personal friend of mine, called and asked if we wanted to compete under his banner,” said Cuellar. “It was an invitation only event and we were able to get in under his banner. We were honored to be asked by Team Chip to enter and it all just kind of went from there.”
Justin competed in the Power Concrete Elbow event and took third place and also competed in a three directional wood break where he placed fifth before winning the power concrete kick. “My wife Robin finished fifth in the Women’s Creative Division and I am so proud of her,” added Cuellar. “She’s been training for six years but has only been breaking for about six months. My instructor here in Kosciusko,
Donald Martin, was such a big encouragement to us and helped us train to get there and we are so thankful for that. Without his help or our sponsors Central Tire and Mayhew Electric we would not have been able to go down there and compete.”
Being on ESPN was a tremendous experience as well according to Cuellar. “Being on a world stage was amazing and it sort of felt like I had woken up as a kid and had gotten that Golden Ticket to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory,” he grinned. “It was an amazing experience and I feel very blessed and fortunate to have had it.”
Justin and Robin Cuellar own and operate Attala County Martial Arts on Highway 12 West in Kosciusko at the Fitness Company building.
