Our very own Coaches Buck Grant, Chase Walden, and, Melissa Carlton travelled to Edinburgh Scotland to be a part of Team USA as they competed in the WKA World Championships. The tournament spanned over the course of a week, from October 25th-29th and comprised of over 20 different countries that competed in Full Contact, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA, and traditional martial arts.

Chase and Melissa competed in Muay Thai and K-1 Kickboxing (respectively) against some of the best amateur fighters in the world. Both Chase and Melissa received Bronze medals for their efforts, fighting tournament style in the most brutal striking arts on the planet. Both fought courageously against their foreign opponents and we are very proud of our Team Hybrid alumni!

Kru Buck Grant, for the second time in his career, was the assistant coach for Team USA under Brian Crenshaw, the U.S Team Head Coach. This year was the largest Ring Sports Team (Full Contact, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA) we have ever brought to the World Championships. Totaling 26 athletes in all, the U.S team earned 7 Gold medals, 10 Silver, and 7 Bronze, placing the U.S Team 3rd overall in Ring Sports and 2nd in the entire competition. Go Team USA!

We are very proud of the teamwork and comradery that was exhibited by these young athletes. Though all a part of the US Team, the fighters came from various different parts of the US, from as close as Virginia Beach, Richmond, Philadelphia and New York, to as far west as California and Arizona. In some divisions, US members had to even face each other in the finals. Regardless, the entire team came together for the common good of our country and became, if for only a short time, a family and team.

Congratulations once again to the U.S Team and our Team Hybrid representatives. You made the entire HTC family proud.

Team Hybrid’s amature squad has proven dominant in local competition at Elite Fighting Challenge 7 and Modern Gladiators 12. Our newest member Chris Wentz won by triangle choke in round 2 at EFC on September 10th at the Wave Church in Virginia Beach, in front of his fellow church members and Hybrid Training Center fans. As a seasoned grappler who fought as a self trained, independent fighter, Chris is now dedicating his training time to become a well rounded MMA fighter by training in the HTC’s  Muay Thai program as a student, further validating that the HTC’s programs are for ALL levels of experience. Look to see Chris become a revamped and well rounded fighter in the near future.

On September 25th, 2 more Team Hybrid fighters stepped into the cage to fly our banner. George Arnaout made his Muay Thai Kickboxing debut a Modern Gladiators 12 in Chesapeake VA and won by unanimous decision in spectacular fashion. Also fighting and winning on the card was Lee Rahrleins, who competed for the Modern Gladiators Welterweight Title. Lee won his bout by rear choke in the first round to join a long line of Team Hybrid Champions. He has only been a team member for a few months, yet has show the work ethic and the talent to become the nest big contender out of our camp. Look to see big things from this athlete in the near future.

Though all 3 athletes fought as amateurs, they all trained and carried themselves as professionals, as do all of the Team Hybrid members. We welcome in the next generation of Team Hybrid fighters as they set the standard of excellence for our athletes.