By Kellie Houx
KHoux@cherryroad.com

GLADSTONE — Three students at Pride Martial Arts in Gladstone have some impressive hardware as they all medaled at the 2025 World Championship recently held in Phoenix, Arizona.

Javan Blythe, 16, is the youngest. Before a recent sparring class, Blythe and his parents Tonya and Jon sat down to chat about Javan’s successes.

Javan took gold in creative weapons and two bronze in traditional and extreme weapons in the 15- to 17-year-old contestants, second, third degree black belt boys. In his division, there were students from all over the United States and even abroad including New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Portugal and British Columbia.

Master Josh Palmer, the founder of Pride Martial Arts, said the championship brings in thousands of competitors.

Javan started in 2020, who is now a second degree recommended black belt.

“It felt good to win gold,” he said. “You spend the whole year, earning points to quality. It’s an emotional roller coaster. I thought I had lost as I dropped my weapon during the performance. Then I realized I tied for first.”

He got a second chance, his mother Tonya said.

“I got a chance to do it again,” he said. I was really happy with my other performances too.”

Javan spends five days a week at the studio and then practices at home. He spends 20 to 25 hours a week, Tonya said. Javan’s father Jon, who also trains at Pride, knew early on that he would be supporting his son for a couple years as he worked toward world champion.

“When I started competing, I liked the idea of designing my own routine,” he said.

Tonya likes that her son has made friends all over.

“They encourage each other,” she said.

As for next year, Javan hopes to focus on team events such as team sparring and combat sparring.

“We have lots of individual strengths, but team is newer,” Palmer said.

Palmer has locations in Parkville and Smithville too. In around a year or so, he plans on passing the Smithville branch to Javan.

Kristopher Fuller brought home four golds and two silvers. Golds were in traditional weapons, extreme forms, creative weapons and creative forms. The silvers came in traditional forms and creative forms.

Fuller has been training since 2017 as well as his daughter Issa. Both are third degree black belts.

He and his wife Jackie Fuller own Full Features, the landscape and garden center in Smithville.

He has been world champion in 2024 and 2024.

“You set the bar for yourself,” he said. “Winning gold feels great. I have to say what makes me feel better is the camaraderie among the competitors. Sure they are competitive, but we cheer each other on.”

Fuller also teaches and is part of the demonstration team.

“No matter what, I am still nervous to compete,” he said.

Jackie serves as the team captain and helps at ringside for the competitors.

Angie Batcheler, who lives in Liberty, started taking classes at Pride in 2023. She recently took gold in combat sparring. She is a second degree recommended black belt. Her 13-year-old son Aiden is also the same rank.

“It’s a good group of ladies that I compete against,” she said. “It really could be anyone’s fight on any day.”

So as she prepares, it’s about staying calm and focused.

“I respect my opponents, but I don’t fear them,” she said. “I envision success. However, I always aim to be a gracious winner and a gracious loser.”

Like the others, she wants to see a team title next year.