MILTON — Bryan Hyler, a student at Martial Arts America, ranks No. 1 in the Gulf Coast region of the National Blackbelt League conference for contemporary forms. A martial arts form is a choreographed series of techniques.
In the past year, the 15-year-old has competed in several tournaments in the South. With every win, he has earned points for the National Blackbelt League and the Sport Karate International League. With these points, he has qualified for this year's invitation-only XXVII Super Grand World Games in North Carolina.
Bryan has trained with Eric Pierce at Martial Arts America for five years and recently received his second-degree junior black belt.
While training for his black belt, he also trained with weapons and performed with Miranda Greer's MAA Extreme Martial ArtsTearn in Milton.
Bryan said MAA has taught him the importance of leadership and teamwork, to set goals and never give up until you succeed. He said that if it were not for the dedicated staff and the wonderful friends he has made there, he would not be able to excel in karate.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Martial arts student invited to international competition