'Shock and awe" - karate style

Master Sgt. Jay "Byrd" Bryant, 314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Superintendent, poses with his first place trophy from The Battle of the Bayou Martial Arts Karate Championships in Shreveport, La., Feb 3. Bryant placed first in the men's over-40 free sparring, black belt division. "I was definitely in shock and completely in awe," said a smiling Master Sgt. Jay "Byrd" Bryant, 314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Superintendent. Bryant placed first in the men's over-40 free sparring, black belt division. "This was my first competition in 18 years and my first as a black belt," Sergeant Bryant said. "I've been in and out of martial arts for the past four or five years, but during my tour in Seoul, Korea last year, I decided to get serious with it and starting training really hard. Needless to say, I was a bit skeptical of doing well, but after stepping onto that floor and hearing my friends and teammates cheer me on, I was good to go." (Courtesy photo)