West Seattle's Tamela Thomas, a Red Belt, became the "female under Black Belt" grand champion in the 2008 Tang Soo Do World Championships.

Eleven students ranging from ages 9 to 48 represented Master Steve Elmore's Evergreen Tang Soo Do studio on California Avenue.

The overall competition included 2,600 competitors from over 20 nations.

"I went hoping not to embarrass myself," Thomas said modestly, who brought her son Tug, 11, also a student of Elmore. "I felt my movement was too robotic, so Master Elmore said to look at Tug, whose moves were more fluid."

Her win was based on a point system over the course of three competitions and she was not sure her standing until it was announced.

"This award couldn't have happened to a better person," said Elmore. "She feels like she doesn't deserve it, like she could have done better. But from what I saw she was on top of her game. Just before she competed, she watched Black Belts compete. Then she practiced for an hour. No one works harder."