Fairbanks Karate is set to compete in Cardiff, Wales

VESTAL, N.Y. (WBNG) -- Fairbanks Karate in Vestal has competed internationally for the last three years.

For 2025, Kathy Fairbanks and 10 others from the Southern Tier will travel across the Atlantic to compete again, this time in the traditional Tang Soo Do Federation in Cardiff, Wales.

“I’m super excited because I’ll tell you, five years ago, I never would have thought I would be traveling internationally doing this,” said Fairbanks. “I’m excited for some of my younger students to be able to experience something as huge as this.”

A few people from the group have been on trips to Italy and Ireland, but this year’s trip is different. Fairbanks says that’s because of grand master John Trudgill, who is putting on the tournament.

“He runs a top-notch tournament with about a thousand competitors, I always wanted to see the tournament,” Fairbanks said. “That’s why this year we finally said let’s make this happen.”

Payton and Teegan Wilks, who are six and eight years old, are the youngest students going on the once-in-a-lifetime trip.

“They always wanted to ride on a plane, so they’re excited for the plane to ride there,” said their mother, Leesha Wilks. “I’m excited to see them compete in such a large tournament.”

Leesha sees passion in her girls, and that is the same passion that drives Fairbanks to continue to compete.

“I’m 60 now and still competing, so that’s what I think is great,” Fairbanks said. “Letting everyone know that no matter what age you are you can still be out there and moving and competing and doing your thing.”

From now until April, the dojo will seek support and sponsors from the community to help it achieve its goals.