Battle of the Alphas Tournament was a Great Success

Updated: August 1, 2024

By Mike Villarreal

On Saturday, July 13, 2024, Alpha Karate proudly hosted its inaugural karate tournament, Battle of the Alphas, sanctioned by TKO and WKL. The event, conceived by owner Cesar Hernandez, brought together top adult and junior martial artists from all over Texas to compete in Brownsville, Texas, determining the ultimate Alpha among them.

With over 300 spectators and 150 competitors at the Brownsville Sports Park, the first Battle of the Alphas tournament was a resounding success. Whether seasoned fighters or first-timers, participants had something to look forward to. Cesar Hernandez, who started training at the early age of four and later opened his own Dojo in 2020, saw his dream of organizing a tournament come to life.
The tournament included demo divisions for all junior first-timers, where all competitors were recognized and celebrated regardless of performance. The event also allowed those who believed they or their schools were the most dominant Alpha to showcase their skills.

Notable competitors included Chad Cannon, a multiple-time world champion and this year’s sparring champion. Other winners were Adult Creative Forms was Aiden Lopez, Adult Traditional Forms- Robert Wilcox, Jr Blackbelt Creative Forms- Anthony Haas, Jr Blackbelt Traditional Forms- Anthony Haas, Jr Advanced Forms- Brooke Roberts, Jr Intermediate- David Martinez and Jr Beginner Forms- Adam Ochs. All 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners were awarded custom championship rings, while the Grand Champions received a unique Gorilla bust to symbolize their position as the Alpha of their division.

Martial arts in the United States has a rich history, dating back to 1946 when U.S. Navy veteran Robert Trias began teaching in Phoenix, Arizona. Asian karate teachers arrived in the U.S. in the 1950s and 1960s, playing a significant role in popularizing the art. The Battle of the Alphas tournament is a continuation of this legacy, connecting us to the tradition and history of martial arts.

The owner of Alpha Karate had this to say to the community, “I’ve been doing this for a long time, even though I am still very young in the game. It’s always been my dream to open my own Dojo and my own tournament. Seeing everyone have a great time and love the Championship Rings and the Gorilla Bust brought me so much joy. This was our first one; we are doing this annually, and it’s only going to get bigger. Next year, it will be “King of the Jungle “themed, with a new animal. The Lion!”

For more information on Alpha Karate, visit them at 6672 South Padre Island Hwy Unit 8 or online at [email protected]. You can also contact them at (956) 404-6127.
Photos by Cesar Hernandez