<b>By Tommy Wells</b><br><a href="mailto:sports@mineralwellsindex.com">sports@mineralwellsindex.com</a>
The Ryushinkan Karate Club had several members, including Kevin Benham, move up in belt classification recently during testing. In all, eight members of the Mineral Wells-based martial arts program advanced in class.
Benham moved to first kyu, a mark that puts him just six months shy of qualifying him for his black belt title. Benham and fellow Ryushinkan Karate Club member Jason Caldwell are scheduled to test for the black belts in June.
RKC's Jerry Cox and Ethan Caldwell also moved up a belt grade. Cox was promoted to second kyu, while Caldwell earned third kyu honors. Carnall Thompson, Elysia Ogletree and Diego Vargas were all promoted to fourth kyu, while Kyra Caldwell and C.J. Neal were moved to seventh and ninth kyu, respectively.
Thompson also did well recently at a tournament in Abilene. He took second in Kata and third in the Sparing event.
The Ryushinkan Karate Club is now in its third year of existence, and holds its classes in the Mineral Wells City Gym at Wolters Industrial Park. The club is led by Sensei Juan Vargas.
"We appreciate the community and would like to invite anyone interested in karate to visit us at the city gym," said Vargas.
The city gym can be contacted at (940) 328-7803.
