Gibas proves her strength and poise in martial arts

Grand Island Dispatch, August 18, 2006

College students across the country drool at the chance to meet Chuck Norris, the legend himself, and one Grand Island resident got the opportunity to. Norris is the subject of countless web pages with Chuck Norris facts, such as, “Chuck Norris doesn't churn butter. He roundhouse kicks the cows and the butter comes straight out.” Island resident Katherine Gibas trained for thirteen years in the art of Chun Kuk Do, the martial art that Norris founded, and had the opportunity to meet him due to her achievements.

Gibas attended and competed in the Chun Kuk Do International Training Conference on July 12 to 16 in Las Vegas, Nev. Training at Presti Karate Centers in Niagara Falls, Gibas, a third degree black belt in both the Chun Kuk Do and Dang Soo Do martial arts styles, was conferred the title of Professional Martial Artist by Chun Kuk Do founder Chuck Norris and president Aaron Norris at the awards ceremony. Gibas also competed in the international tournament taking third place in open kata and fourth place in weapons in the division for ages 13 to 34. She is a 2001 graduate of St. Stephen’s School and a 2005 graduate of Nardin Academy. Gibas currently attends the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University.