A Newtonville karate dojo claimed two championship titles and multiple individual medals at the UFAF World Championships in Las Vegas July 16-19, capping months of preparation with a haul that put Giroux Bros Martial Arts on the national map.

Owner Danny Sohmer won the Kata Challenge Championship at the United Fighting Arts Federation's International Training Conference & World Championships, held at the Rio Hotel and Casino. He also placed second in Traditional Kata, third in Weapons Kata and third in Fighting.

Emma Neufeld, 13, a black belt who started at the dojo at age 9, won first place in Traditional Kata and second in sparring. Head instructor Jonah Samuels captained the demo team to the Norris Cup Championship with a choreographed routine featuring jump kicks, flips, and sword and staff work set to music.

The school was also named the third-largest in the UFAF organization, earning the federation's Bronze Level Outstanding Membership award.

"Martial arts has always been the only activity I do. I started when I was four. I wanted to be a Ninja Turtle, and it's evolved from an activity that I do after school to becoming a community now at the karate school," Sohmer told Fig City News.

The UFAF was founded by Chuck Norris in 1979. Norris died March 19 in Hawaii, and the July conference doubled as his public memorial, drawing roughly 5,000 attendees on July 18.

Sohmer said tournament preparation at the dojo begins between February and April each year. The school hosts mock tournaments so students can practice introducing themselves to judges. Samuels said demo team preparation focuses on repetition and building confidence to perform in front of large crowds.

Neufeld has progressed from one class per week to several and now teaches younger students at the dojo. Her mother, Erica Neufeld, told Fig City News the studio balances discipline with fun, giving kids the message that hard work and enjoyment go together.

The UFAF International Training Conference is held annually in Las Vegas.