THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 30, 1996 TAG: 9606280233
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 32 lines
Andrew Phillip Clemons Jr. of Portsmouth qualified for the 16th annual U.S. Junior Olympic Karate Championships and is competing this week at Orlando, Fla.
The weeklong event commenced on Monday and concludes today.
Clemons, who goes by the nickname of J.R., is competing in tae kwon do, a Korean-type karate that features kicking.
He gained a berth in the national championships by winning first place in the men's red belt middleweight class at the Virginia State Tae Kwon Do Association Junior Olympics Championship in May at Richmond.
Clemons, a 16-year-old Churchland High School athlete, runs indoor and outdoor track. He played junior varsity football last year.
An honor roll student, Clemons also is a member of the concert band.
Clemons has been a student of martial arts since he was 6 years old. He first started competing in Havelock, N.C. He has continued instructions under Wink Walker, Dennis Aguire and Douglas Grant.
The son of Phyllis D. Parker-Clemons, J.R. is a five-year veteran of Norfolk State University's Southeastern Virginia Arts Association and a member of the Gail Harts Dance Company. He will attend a national dance competition at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, in July. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
J.R. Clemons is competing in tae kwon do, a Korean-type karate that
features kicking. by CNB