Locals Bring Home Martial Arts Trophies

On Saturday, February 17, 2018, Willie D. Matthews and his student Carisma Edwards participated in Battle of Memphis Mixed Martial Arts Tournament held in Landers Center, Southhaven, MS. This was Carisma’s very first tournament since taking lessons from 4th Degree Black Belt Willie D. Matthews. She has been studying Taekwondo with him for eight months. She came home to Louisville with a 1st Place Trophy and a green belt. Carisma is known to challenge ‘tough’ sports as she was the first, last and only female to play football at Louisville High School. She also studied Boxing at Meridian Community College.

Willie D. Matthews is a Master Instructor who teaches Taekwondo in Louisville, MS. He has been studying since 1973 under Grand Master 8th Degree Black Belt, Young Cho, in Chicago, IL who is from Seoul, South Korea. Willie has taught Taekwondo in Houston, TX, Chicago, IL, Oak Park, IL, Jackson, MS and he taught in the Field House at the Louisville Housing Authority for several years. Willie also came home from the Battle of Memphis with a First Place Trophy in Taekwondo. Willie is also in training as an assistant landscaper in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) with the Friends of Dean Park, Inc. with training at Dean Park and throughout Winston County.

Both, Carisma and Willie had the opportunity to meet Jackie “Rip” Eichelberger who is a 4th Degree Black Belt and Champion from Milwaukee, WI. They met at the Winston County Library at a Black History Celebration on Saturday, February 24, 2018 which was to honor Vietnam veteran Billy Metts.

Submitted by: Elmetra Patterson

L to R: Carisma Edwards, Willie D. Matthews           L to R: Carisma Edwards, Jackie “Rip” Eichelberger, Willie D. Matthews

Carisma Edwards, 1st Place Winner           Willie D. Matthews, 1st Place Winner