Master Fred J. LaSala, Head Instructor of LaSala's Dojo (Karate for Christ) in Fort Pierce FL, and his daughter Sensei Stacey LaSala have both earned World Championship Titles at the WHFSC International Martial Arts Tournament in San Antonio Texas on May 23-24, 2008. The World Head of Family Sokeship Council grants membership solely by invitation or sponsorship and is the most elite and prestigious Grand Master's council in the world. The LaSala's world titles earned at this event are a great honor and illustrate their outstanding accomplishments in the International Martial Arts community.

Master LaSala, age 47, who trained six days per week for two months preparing for this competition, brought home a first place win and World Title in Men's Lightweight Grappling and an induction into the World Hall of Fame. He is now a 4x World Champion, a 6 th Degree Master in the art of Tai Chuan Do Karate and is a member of the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He also holds four state championship titles and has won a silver medal in a jujitsu competition for the Wide World of Sports. In addition, Master LaSala has appeared on ESPN, ESPN2, FX and the Sunshine Network, as well as in the Discovery Channel's documentary "Extreme Martial Arts". In 1995 he fought with the US Karate team in Venezuela and in 1999 he fought to the finals of the Tough Man Contest in St Lucie County Florida.

At the WHFSC event, Master LaSala and his daughter Sensei Stacey LaSala, age 17, competed against competitors from across the United States and various countries, including Germany, Canada, Japan, Great Britain and Malaysia. Sensei Stacey LaSala, is a black belt and 2007 World Champion in Self Defense and is now the 2008 World Champion in Women's Lightweight Advanced Grappling. She also holds several state championship titles and is a junior at Fort Piece Central High School where she maintains a 4.0 GPA.

Also placing in the event was another student from LaSala's Dojo, Jordan Van der Flier, a brown belt who took second place in sparring and open hand forms, as well as third place in weapons.

Master LaSala says, "I am honored and very excited that my daughter and I were successful in our quest for these prestigious world titles. I am also very proud of Jordan and his accomplishments. It is a true blessing to have had this opportunity to represent Florida, St Lucie county, our students, our dojo and, above all, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at this major international event. My hope is that these titles that God has blessed us with will inspire others to follow His word and know that they too can accomplish anything"

For more information about LaSala's Dojo, Karate for Christ or Master Fred LaSala please contact Madeline Baum at 561-676-6774 or madelinebaum@msn.com, or Sensei Bonnie LaSala at 772-332-0101 or laSalasdojo@comcast.net. Also, visit our website at www.lasalasdojo.com