Four young local girls earn their black belts in karate at Patriot Karate in Loganville

From left front row: newly minted black belts Saylor Sheree, 10, Taylin Duncan, 11 , Molly Chandler 13, Tamryn Duncan, 13. The second row instructors, Ryleigh Sirmans (white rose), Terrence Brown, Duncan Lowry, Weston Mckissick, and Billy Barge. All photos contributed by Patriot Karate

LOGANVILLE, GA – Nov. 9, 2024 was a big day for four young female karate experts in Loganville. The four young girls, the oldest two being 13 and the youngest two just 10 and 11, earned their black belts in Karate at Patriot Karate in Loganville.

• Saylor Sheree is 10 years old and earned her Black Belt
• Molly Chandler is 13 and earned her Black Belt
• Tamryn Duncan is 13 and earned her Black belt
• Taylin Duncan is 11 and earned her Novice Black Belt

“All of these girls have been training with Patriot Karate since they were very young. Most of them were around 5 or 6 when they started. Some even younger,” said Duncan Lowry, chief instructor at Patriot Karate. “All of these girls showed amazing perseverance and heart and did amazing on their exam.”

And that was no small feat, Lowry says.

“The test lasts about 5 hours and is incredibly difficult. Children under 13 must first earn a novice black belt before they are eligible for their solid black belt. Saylor was able to earn her solid black belt because she earned her novice in January,” Lowry said. “In order to earn their black belts, all of the girls were required to run a mile, do 50 continuous pushups, 50 continuous squats, 50 continuous sit-ups, and 100 continuous jumping jacks. They had to display every stance, block, punch, self defense, and kick they had ever learned. They had to spar with adult black belts instructors for 3, 5 minute rounds (same fight time as a professional MMA fight). And after all of that they then had to break a one-inch thick pine board with a punch and with a kick.”

It is not surprising that he is incredibly proud of their achievements. The girls were presented with their certification this past weekend.

From left: Molly Chandler, 13, Taylin Duncan, 11, Tamryn Duncan, 13, and Saylor Sheree, 10, were awarded their black belts in karate after passing the certification test on Nov. 9, 2024

Patriot Karate is located at 136 CS Floyd Road in Loganville. To learn more about it you can check it out on the Facebook Page at this link or on the web at this link.