6 Westmoreland karate athletes recognized at international competition
Six Westmoreland County karate athletes received medals at the International Combat Organization World Championships in Wales earlier this month.
Norwin freshman Gabby Viola received nine gold medals, three silver and two bronze, as well as the “overall fighting grand champion” and “most decorated athlete titles.” Her 8-year-old brother, Will Viola, was named the youngest medalist, taking home gold and silver awards.
Norwin senior Xander Eddy was named the overall fighting grand champion in his division, earning eight gold medals. Penn-Trafford middle school student Carter Griffith received six gold medals and the “overall Kata grand champion.”
Hempfield resident Riley Evans, a student at Westmoreland Christian Academy in South Greensburg, received a bronze medal. Saint Vincent student Cameron Klos earned eight gold medals and one bronze.
Gabby Viola, Klos, Eddy and Griffith ranked in the top 10 out of more than 1,200 competitors worldwide.
All six athletes train at Allegheny Shotokan Viola Karate, located in North Huntingdon since the 1970s.
Quincey Reese is a TribLive reporter covering the Greensburg and Hempfield areas. She also does reporting for the Penn-Trafford Star. A Penn Township native, she joined the Trib in 2023 after working as a Jim Borden Scholarship intern at the company for two summers. She can be reached at qreese@triblive.com.
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