PLEASANTON, CA. Tri Valley Karate in Pleasanton is proud to announce the outstanding achievements of its students at the 2025 USA Karate National Championships and Team Trials, held last week in Fort Worth, Texas. Nine athletes from Tri Valley Karate in Pleasanton competed in the elite USA Karate national event, returning home with an impressive 13 medals, including four National Champion titles.
The championships, which took place from July 8 to July 12, featured four days of intense competition, showcasing the incredible focus, resilience, and teamwork of young athletes. They proudly represented both Pleasanton, California, Seiwakai USA, and Kaizen International Karate-do on a national stage.
"We are immensely proud of every one of our students who competed," said Sanjit Mandal, 5th dan JKF Goju Kai and Head Instructor at Tri-Valley Karate in Pleasanton. "Their dedication and spirit truly embody the 'STRONG' principles of our team: Strength, Tenacity, Respect, Ownership, Nobility, and Growth. These athletes trained for countless hours from March to July, sacrificing their Saturdays, refining every detail for matches that can be as brief as 90 seconds or two minutes. It's a unique challenge, vastly different from other sports, and their ability to perform under such pressure is truly remarkable."
The four National Champions are:
- Rishi Manikandan (14): National Champion in Kumite
- Harshini Uppalapati (14): National Champion in Kumite
- Govardan Vadlaputi (17): National Champion in Kata and Kumite
Other notable medalists include:
- Ami Mandal (9): 5th in Kata, 2nd in Kumite
- Hridyansh Gorsia (10): 2nd in Kata, 5th in Kumite
- Akhila Chippada (12): 7th in Kata, 5th in Kumite
- Atiriya Belagodu (13): 2nd in Kata, 5th in Kumite
- Jocelyn O'Dell (15): 3rd in Kata, 3rd in Kumite
- Sai Gautam Chippada (16): 3rd in Kata, 3rd in Kumite
Sai Gautam Chippada, a medalist at the event, shared his philosophy: “If there is an opportunity, don’t wait for it, just go for it and hold on no matter what happens throughout the journey. Always remember to have fun in everything you do, whether it's intense training or enjoying a fun dinner with your friends and family. Lastly, thank each and every one who was part of your success, such as your coaches, parents, friends, and your training partners, as these are the people who helped you throughout your success."
Govardan Vadlaputi, a double National Champion, added, “Preparing for karate nationals over the past few months was a challenging but rewarding experience. It pushed me to stay focused and disciplined while improving both mentally and physically.”
Tri Valley Karate in Pleasanton is eager to share the inspiring journey of these young athletes with the community. Their story highlights the immense dedication required in martial arts and the profound life lessons learned through competition.
About Tri Valley Karate in Pleasanton:
Searching for “karate classes near me” or “martial arts near me”? Tri Valley Karate Pleasanton offers karate instruction for kids, teens, and adults in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, Danville, and San Ramon. We teach authentic Japanese Goju Ryu Karate, officially registered with the Japan Karate do Federation (JKF Gojukai), the only dojo in the East Bay with this prestigious recognition from Tokyo, Japan. Led by Sanjit Sensei, a 3X U.S. Champion and 5th degree black belt certified by Seiwakai Japan (Akita) and JKF Gojukai, our award winning program (Best of the Best: 2013 to 2015, 2017 to 2019, 2024) blends tradition, discipline, and excellence on the mat.
Contact:
Sanjit Mandal
Head Instructor
925.272.8348
https://www.trivalleykarate.com/
