Police Karate Classes Receive High Rating
Long Beach police offer some of the world’s best karate instruction, according to a recent ranking issued by an international sports association.
Based on its students’ performance in amateur competitions last year, the Long Beach Police Athletic League was rated 24th among the world’s top karate schools in 1996 by the National Blackbelt League and Sport Karate International.
More than 80 children between the ages of 7 and 17 participate in after-school karate lessons taught by Sgt. Greg Allison and volunteer instructor Mike Randall. The Police Athletic League also provides instruction in boxing, drill team and ham radio operation.
Some of the police league’s students won titles last year at national and international competitions, and together they have won more than 1,100 trophies in the last three years.
A total of five California karate schools made the sports association’s top 25 list, and judges rated a Guatemalan school to be the best program.
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