Langstons will compete in World Martial Arts Games

Langstons will compete in World Martial Arts Games
Gulf Shores father & son hope to bring home gold from South Africa

Surely the trip that Tim Langston and his 11 year old son, Alex, will take next month to Johannesburg, South Africa will be one they will remember for the rest of their lives.
The Gulf Shores residents will take pictures and maybe even see lions and zebras. But they are not going as tourists. They will both be competing for the United States Martial Art’s Team at the Oct 10-18 World Martial Arts Games.
Alex, a 6th grader at Gulf Shores Elementary, will compete in five divisions and his dad, who finished second overall in the U.S. Championships in Atlanta earlier this year, will compete in as many as eight divisions.
Although Tim has trained and competed in martial arts since he was 16, he took a break until he started training again around four years ago. The Langstons currently train daily in three different martial arts disciplines (Jiujutsu, & karate) with Chris Wheeles at Wheeles Yoshukai Karate Academy in Gulf Shores, Mark Barlow at the Gulf Coast Martial Arts Academy, Sensei Ricky Curruth (yes, the same guy with all the real estate listings) in Gulf Shores and Sean Applegate of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in Gulf Shores.
“We are up to our earns in it (training),’’ Tim said. “I kind of dragged Alex into it at the beginning, but now that he’s gotten a feel for winning, he loves it.’’
The Langstons qualified for the World Championships through high national rankings earned in fighting competitions.
“This will be the first time I’ve competed ever outside of the country, but I am going over there with business to take care of,’’ Tim said. “There will be people from all over the world there. But we are going over to kick butt and take names. We want to bring medals back to Gulf Shores.’’
To help with the $4,500 cost for the trip, Tim Langston has started a gofundme site (gulfshores-teamusa). Friends have also put together a raffle for a high end smoker and other prizes, with the drawing scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the going away party on Saturday, Oct. 8 at The Cove in Gulf Shores. Raffle tickets are available at The Cove (131 Cove Ave., Gulf Shores), Wheeles Yoshukai Karate Academy (314 E 21st Ave, Gulf Shores), Gulf Coast Martial Arts Academy (313 W Laurel Ave., Foley) or by calling Tim at 251-233-2446.