The San Jose Japan Karate-do Center cleaned house in the AAU Pacific District Championships held at Butte College in Oroville on April 16, taking home eight first place medals. Two weeks later at the AAU Region 12 Championships in Grants Pass, Ore., the locals claimed six first place medals.

The regional championships represent the qualifying tournament for the AAU National Karate Championships that will be held June 28-July 2 in Lakeland, Fla.

Breanna Ledesma and Joanne Pham led the San Jose effort at the Region 12 Championships. Ledesma finished first in both Kata and Kumite competitions at the beginner level, and Pham was also first in both disciplines in the beginner class in her age division.

Huy Nguyen was first in Kata and second in Kumite, and David Nguyen was first in Kumite and second in Kata. D. Nguyen, Pham and H. Nguyen finished second as a team in Kata.

The AAU District Championships were even more successful for the center. Anthony Howell took home a first-place win in advanced Kumite, while Joshua Howell finished first in both novice Kata and novice Kumite. Ledesma was first in both beginner Kata and Kumite, H. Nguyen took first in Kata and second in Kumite, and D. Nguyen was third in Kata and first in Kumite.

With its performance, the center has earned the right to send a team of six competitors to the nationals in Florida.

For more information, visit the dojo at 947 Park Ave. between Lincoln and Sunol or visit www.sanjosejko.com.