Local resident Kristi Schellhammer has qualified to participate in the WKC World Championships karate competition in Orlando in October.

Schellhammer, who has attention deficit disorder and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, enrolled in her first karate class in 2017 with the goal of improving her focus. During that first year in the sport, Schellhammer placed first in the Battle of Hershey Tournament, earning ribbons in both sparring and forms. Later that year, she earned a high green at the Fighting Dragons in Etown. Schellhammer had to train on her own during the pandemic, but in 2021, she was again winning tournaments, including first place in sparring and second place in forms at the Bucks County meet. That same year at the Battle of Hershey Tournament, she again placed first in sparring and second in forms.

In 2022, Schellhammer traveled to Pittsburgh, where she qualified for Team USA, and she then went to Detroit and won a gold medal along with the title grand champion. The icing on the cake came this past July at the Summer Shiai Competition, where she qualified for a spot on Team USA by placing first in weapons, second in sparring, and second in forms.

Schellhammer acknowledged the support of the Fighting Dragons and her family and friends in helping her to attain her martial arts accomplishments.

Donations are being accepted to help support Schellhammer's trip to Orlando. For more details, call or text Schellhammer at 717-689-0439.