BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — A group from New Glarus Martial Arts is traveling to Minnesota this weekend to compete for the first time at the Diamond Nationals, a major sport-karate tournament being held Oct. 8-10 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington. The event is designated by the North American Sport Karate Association as a 6A World-Rated Tournament.

For instructor Greg Bowles and his students, the trip represents a new step for a New Glarus program that has spent years competing beyond Wisconsin. Bowles said the club has competed at national-level State Games of America events for roughly 12 years, but this will be its first appearance at the Diamond Nationals.

The New Glarus contingent will not all enter at the same level. Bowles said the group includes two black belts, several competitors at the brown-belt level and a beginner yellow belt, placing local students into divisions that range from developing competitors to experienced martial artists.