Gaithersburg-based Senshi Karate-Do returned from the 2026 USA Karate National Championships and Team USA Selection Trials, held July 16-19 in Spokane, Washington, with 16 medals after competing against athletes from across the country. Senshi Karate-Do was the only team from Maryland to compete at this year’s national championships.
The team earned medals across Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Elite divisions, with athletes competing in both kata and kumite events. Team captain Aiden Abraham advanced to the Top 8 in the nation in the highly competitive 14-15 Male Elite -57 kg Kumite division during the Team USA Selection Trials and also earned a silver medal in the 13 Male Advanced/Elite Team Kumite event. Dahlia Herron captured two gold medals by winning both Kata and Kumite in the 14 Female Intermediate division.
🥇 Gold Medals
Dahlia Herron — 14 Female Intermediate Kata & Kumite
Rolando Palma — 14 Male Intermediate Kumite
Selene Mejia — 14 Female Novice Kumite
Abigail Velasquez — 12 Female Intermediate Kumite
🥈 Silver Medals
Aiden Abraham — 13 Male Advanced/Elite team Kumite
Delilah Lopez — 15 Female Intermediate Kata & Kumite
Mia Aviles — 9 Female Beginner Kumite
🥉 Bronze Medals
Kylie Neal — 15 Female Advanced Kata & Kumite
Kimberly Portillo — 13 Female Intermediate Kumite
Selene Mejia — 14 Female Novice Kata
Abigail Velasquez — 12 Female Intermediate Kata
Gabriela Argote — 10 Female Novice Kumite
Mia Aviles — 9 Female Beginner Kata
“We are incredibly proud of every athlete who stepped onto the mat and represented The State of Maryland and Senshi Karate,” said the coaching staff. “They showed courage, discipline, respect and determination throughout the championships. These results are the product of countless hours of preparation and the tremendous support of our Senshi families.”
Senshi Karate-Do offers martial arts training for children, teens and adults and regularly sends athletes to compete at regional and national tournaments. According to the organization, the program emphasizes technical development, discipline, leadership and sportsmanship both on and off the competition floor.
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