Brown Selected for 2026 Patriot Games

(Photo courtesy of Sheba Brown) Seylah Brown works on her form as she continues to train in martial arts.

By Travis Dockery

The Mountain Buzz

Local student Seylah Brown is heading to the national stage this August as a competitor in the 2026 Patriot Games, a high-profile athletic competition celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

One male and one female athlete were chosen from each state or territory. Brown, a student of the U.S. Chung Do Kwan Association, under the instruction of Master George Bridges, was chosen as the female representative for North Carolina and is scheduled to fly out with her mother Sheba on Aug. 7 to join other athletes arriving for the vent.

The 2026 Patriot Games will take place Aug. 9-11 at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, OH and feature outstanding high school athletes ages 14-17 from across the United States, its territories, and tribal nations. The competition is designed to test strength, endurance, agility, teamwork, and perseverance while showcasing the determination and hometown pride that define the American spirit.

Organized as part of Freedom 250’s broader series of signature events marking the nation’s 250th birthday, the Patriot Games will stream on the ESPN App. Coverage will culminate in a one-hour primetime special on ESPN on ABC on Thursday, Aug. 13.

A $250,000 scholarship prize pool will be awarded to one male and one female champion, offering life-changing opportunities to the top performers.

Not only is Brown a standout in the martial arts world, but also in the classroom. The 17-year-old is a rising senior at Tri County Community College and is scheduled to graduate in May with a pair of associate degrees.