More than 14,000 amateur athletes of all ages - including many from the Triangle - are expected to converge in and around Charlotte for the Powerade State Games of North Carolina.

Opening ceremonies take place at 8 p.m. Friday at the Paladium at Carowinds theme park, and competition ends June 27.

The Olympic-style festival will include a variety of age and skill levels in baseball, basketball, BMX, cycling criterium , disc golf, fencing, figure skating, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, karate, lacrosse, mountain biking, soccer, softball, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, track and field and wrestling.

How does a girl follow up earning a black belt in karate at age 7?

Annie Chen has an answer: She earns her second-degree black belt at age 10.

The fourth-grader at Rashkis Elementary School in Chapel Hill did just
that on Saturday, demonstrating her skills against bigger and older
opponents at a rank and tip promotion ceremony at Karate International
in Durham.

Some members of the Triangle’s very active martial arts community will
put their many hours of studies and practice to the test today.

The youths and adults are going to be tested for black belt ranking
during an open house and black belt promotion ceremony being held 10
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Karate International of Durham.

Visitors are welcome to watch and can register to win door prizes or to
take a free introductory karate class. Parents’ bank accounts can get a
break, too.