Jasper’s Māsharu Martial Arts Students Bring Home Top Honors from Black Dragons Open

Rita Shipp
Jun 7
2 min read

**Kicking off tournament day with smiles and spirit—students and instructors from Māsharu Martial Arts pose before competing at the Black Dragons Open in Beaumont.**

Three young martial artists from Māsharu Martial Arts in Jasper made their dojo proud on Saturday, June 7, as they competed at the Black Dragons Open, a high-ranking TKO League SOUTH AAA tournament held at the Sterling Pruitt Activity Center in Beaumont, Texas.

The team—Carter Bond (White Belt), Clayton Dowden Jr. (Green Belt), and Lucas Arriaga (Green Belt)—kicked off the day by participating in the Demonstration Event, performing the foundational Shotokan Kata (Taikyoku Shodan). All three competitors earned commemorative rings for their outstanding performances and display of spirit, focus, and discipline.

Carter Bond, Clayton Dowden Jr., and Lucas Arriaga proudly display their championship rings following their kata performances at the Black Dragons Open. Sensei Jordan, one of Māsharu Martial Arts' dedicated instructors, stands in the background in support.

Impressive doesn't even begin to cover it.

Lucas Arriaga: Recognized for his performance of Shotokan Kata (Taikyoku Shodan) and placed first in Point Sparring — earning two championship rings.

Clayton Dowden Jr.: Recognized for his performance of Shotokan Kata (Taikyoku Shodan) and placed first in Continuous Sparring — earning two championship rings.

Carter Bond: Honored for his performance of Shotokan Kata (Taikyoku Shodan) and the only White Belt among six competitors — earning one championship ring.

The boys were supported throughout the day by Sensei Marshall, Sensei Jordan, and Mrs. Marshall, all representing the dedicated leadership team of Māsharu Martial Arts. Their presence and encouragement meant the world to the competitors. The instructors shared this heartfelt message:

"We are incredibly proud of our students who participated in today’s karate tournament! Your dedication, discipline, and spirit truly shined on the mats. Whether you took home a medal or simply gave it your all, you’ve shown the heart of a true martial artist. A special congratulations to our winners — your hard work has paid off, and we couldn’t be more proud to see you represent Māsharu Martial Arts with excellence and integrity. Keep training hard, supporting one another, and striving for greatness — this is just the beginning!"

At Māsharu Martial Arts, martial arts is more than sport—it's a way of life. Rooted in Shotokan philosophy, the school is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential through harmony of the mind, body, and spirit. While self-defense and physical discipline are emphasized, the deeper goal is personal growth and inner strength. With a staff of certified, year-round Shotokan instructors, Māsharu prides itself on cultivating not only skilled martial artists, but also respectful, confident, and resilient individuals.

Photos provided by Rita Shipp, Kelsey Dowden, and Mrs. Marshall.