March 18th, 2008 

***Ryan Best of the R.T. Berry School wins 2008 US Open Martial Arts National Title***

Ryan Best, a 20 year old student of the R.T. Berry School and UNCC recently won the 35th annual US Open National Championship on two counts; forms and fighting.  Best won the Heavy weight fighting division and went on to defeat the 8 time US Open champion for his first National title.  Best has been training under Master Berry of the R.T. Berry School since the School first opened in Mooresville in 2001, and has been training in martial arts since the age of 8.  "It was amazing to watch him with such grace and humility," Berry said of Best's achievements, "we have gotten to see our students lose at that level with grace and set a good example of Character, but when he won the same way, it spoke mountains about the way we train here."  The R.T. Berry School has developed a name for itself in the Lake Norman Area as a great tool to teach Character, and reinforce what families are trying to accomplish at home.  "He made a mark for himself and our School, but most important to me is that he did it in such a way that people from all over now know what our School stands for in the world of Martial Arts.  Not victory or defeat, but grace in both.  I was very proud of him, for he is exactly what I think of when I think about a true Champion!" Berry said of Best.