JC to host martial arts for Show-Me State Games

Instructor Andrew Rackers watches as the kids demonstrate some basic technique during the American Karate kids class held at the Knowles YMCA. The Show-Me State Games American Karate and Tae Kwon Do competition will be Saturday at the Firley YMCA.
Instructor Andrew Rackers watches as the kids demonstrate some basic technique during the American Karate kids class held at the Knowles YMCA. The Show-Me State Games American Karate and Tae Kwon Do competition will be Saturday at the Firley YMCA.

Thousands of athletes will flood Central Missouri this weekend and next for the Show-Me State Games.

Although most of the Olympic-style events will be in Columbia, the martial arts event will begin 9 a.m. Saturday at the Firley YMCA.

The games' opening ceremonies will be 7 p.m. today in the Hearnes Arena, Columbia.

Other hosting communities include: Auxvasse for cycling, Ashland for fencing, Fulton for muzzleloading rifle and pistol, and Hartsburg for rifle and pistol shooting. The Show-Me State Games was established in 1985 as a non-profit program of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Health and is hosted by the University of Missouri.