Right here in our backyard on St. Simons Island, we have an impressive group of world class athletes you might not know about. We’re not talking about the slew of successful PGA Tour pros who call this home, nor our favorite MLB ace, nor even the football standouts making their way on college and NFL gridirons this season. Many of these athletes are just kids carrying backpacks on their way to school every day and who greet you in their jobs at local restaurants and businesses. A common place you can find them is at The Brick martial arts studio putting in hours of training in the sport they love. They are part of the GIMAA Elite Competition Team led by head coach and The Brick owner, Joey Harrison.
Tim Brown Photography
US Martial Arts Team Georgia with Coach Joey Harrison
Twenty-one of Harrison’s students have made the US Martial Arts Team and are currently training as Team Georgia for the TAFISA World Martial Arts Games in London this month. This is an amazing accomplishment for this little school that began nearly a decade ago. Team members have been pulling in trophies and awards across the board. Jamie Brown recently won the Underbelt Grand Champion title at the 2019 U.S. Open recently in Orlando, FL. In Augusta, GA, Maggie Jenkins was named Grand Champion in traditional weapons kata, and earned the event’s title of Overall Underbelt Grand Champion and $500 cash for her skills. These are some fiercely talented young ladies—and the young men are equally as impressive. Just a look at the trophies and awards at The Brick will give you an idea of how successful the work of these team members has been. Their dedication, sportsmanship, competitive spirit, and camaraderie is exemplary. We will be well represented across the pond!
An estimated 500 Martial Arts Athletes of various ages and skill levels, representing up to 20 different nations will gather at the Egham Leisure Centre, London, to compete for a chance to become a WMAGC World Games Champion on October 24th. With your support, US Martial Arts Team Georgia members will be among them.
The US Martial Arts Team is a member of The Association for International Sport For All
Tim Brown Photography
Posing with the Queen
(TAFISA) and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and adheres to the “sport for all” model by filling its roster with children and adults, male and female. The US Martial Arts Team is organized as a 501(c) 3 charity and operates from the generous donations of its fans, family, and friends as well as the support it receives from its sponsors. They currently have a GoFundMe Page USMATEAMGA to help raise funds to help with their expenses to compete in TAFISA World Martial Arts Games in London in October. Their recent Burritos & Bingo was a big success and they are extremely appreciative of the community support for that event and continued efforts to assist them in their journey. If you or your business would like to make a tax deductible donation, please contact Joey Harrison at 912.268.2829.
