Scotland 2026: Training, Testing and 13 Medals at the IMA World Championships
October 23 and 24, Yi’s Karate of Vineland traveled to Scotland to train, test and compete with our International Martial Arts Association (IMA) family from around the world. Over two packed days, our team trained alongside Masters from Europe, learned directly from Grandmaster Ki Yun Yi, celebrated a new black belt and brought home 13 medals from the IMA World Championships.
Day One: Training with Masters from Around the World
The trip began early on Friday, October 23, with an intense morning training session. Our Master Black Belts lined up side by side with the European Master Black Belts for running and endurance drills, followed by bodyweight exercises to build strength. Masters from different countries pushed each other, encouraged each other and showed the indomitable spirit we ask of every student on our mat. No matter your rank, the training never stops.
Black Belt Seminar with Grandmaster Ki Yun Yi
After the morning session, black belts from every school gathered for a Black Belt Seminar led by Grandmaster Ki Yun Yi. Every black belt had the rare chance to work directly with the Grandmaster on techniques and forms, and to learn how to improve them.
Training with the Grandmaster is a reminder that a black belt is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a lifetime of refining the basics. Our black belts brought home new details and corrections to share with students in our dojang.
Masters Seminar
Master Belts from the United States and Europe also met with Grandmaster Yi for a Masters Seminar. Together they reviewed topics about the IMA, including how each master can grow as an instructor and how our schools can improve as a whole. For our students and families, that means fresh ideas coming back to Vineland, and a stronger connection to our IMA family overseas.
Congratulations, Ariana: Our Newest 1st Degree Black Belt
[Photo: Ariana with her IMA Black Belt Certificate and her new embroidered black belt]
One of our very own students, Ariana Echevarria, tested for her 1st Degree Black Belt alongside students from our European schools. It was a very intense test that challenged her skills, her knowledge and her spirit.
Ariana did exceedingly well and passed, officially earning her 1st Degree Black Belt! She showed the perseverance and indomitable spirit that represent Yi’s Karate of Vineland, on an international stage. Her years of hard work in our dojang showed in every technique.
Please join us in congratulating Ariana the next time you see her in class!
Day Two: 13 Medals and a Grand Champion at the IMA World Championships
On Saturday, October 24, our team competed at the IMA World Championships and brought home 13 medals: 3 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze. Master Samuel Llabres was named Grand Champion of the Masters division, and our forms team placed 2nd against teams from Europe.
Most of our Masters also served as judges at the tournament and still stepped onto the world stage to compete.
[Photo: Our team at the IMA World Championships. Left to right: Master Lee, Master Gerstle, Master Llabres, Mrs. Lauren Lee, Master Chuck Vertolli, Ariana Echevarria, Master Josh Vertolli, Master RJ Vertolli and Master Navarro.]
| Competitor | Results |
| Master Samuel Llabres | Grand Champion, Masters division; 2nd in forms; 2nd in sparring; 3rd in weapons |
| Master RJ Vertolli | 1st in weapons; 1st in forms |
| Ariana Echevarria | 1st in sparring; 2nd in weapons; 2nd in forms |
| Master Taylor Gerstle | 2nd in weapons; 3rd in forms; 3rd in sparring |
| Master Josh Vertolli | 2nd in weapons |
| Master Kyle Lee | 3rd in forms |
| Forms Team | 2nd place, team forms |
Ariana’s results stand out. On the same trip, she earned her 1st Degree Black Belt and then medaled in all three of her events, including gold in sparring.
Forms Team Takes 2nd Against Europe
Our school also entered a forms team that competed against teams from Europe and placed 2nd. Two of its members came from our Vineland dojang, Ariana Echevarria and Mrs. Lauren Lee, and the team was coached by Master Gerstle. Performing forms as a team takes perfect timing, trust and hours of practice together, and our team delivered on the world stage. We could not be prouder of them.
The Journey Home: Weathering Storm Bolero
While every training, seminar, test and competition went well, the trip home was a challenge. Storm Bolero hit Scotland and the UK, disrupting transportation and flights. Some of our team members and competitors struggled to get home on time, and some families did not return until Tuesday.
Master and Mrs. Lee had their flights delayed or cancelled several times as they tried to get home. One night, with no hotel rooms available anywhere, they ended up sleeping in a Starbucks! They finally made it home on Tuesday, two days later than planned.
We thank everyone for their patience and flexibility during the delays. Our team met the storm the same way they met every challenge on this trip: with perseverance and indomitable spirit.
Train with Us
We are proud of every member of our team. They represented Vineland with skill, respect and indomitable spirit, and they bring what they learned in Scotland back to every class in our dojang.
Want to be part of our martial arts family? Visit us at 3722 E. Landis Ave, Ste. 7, Vineland, NJ 08361, or call 856-405-0008 to book your first lesson.