For Immediate Release

Contact: John M. Martino
Phone Number:  (215) 895-1186
Date: 11/30/02

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Student Wins Gold in National Karate Championship

When Irina Shcherbataya looks back on her trip to Orlando this past November, she will not think about her missed opportunity of meeting Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, she will remember capitalizing on another golden opportunity. The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP) student traveled to O-Town to capture first place in a national karate championship, and that’s exactly what she did. Amid a plethora of lights and cameras, Shcherbataya of Richboro, Pa., beat out a field of 18 other competitors to take home the gold in the women's collegiate advanced division (brown and black belts only) of the 25th Annual International Shotokan Karate Federation's United States National and Collegiate Tournament, held on November 16.

“It was one amazing experience; the whole thing not just the winning part,” said Shcherbataya, “even though I never did get a chance to go to Disney World.”

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia is a private, coeducational institution founded in 1821 as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the first college of pharmacy in North America. USP specializes in educating students for rewarding careers through its professional and pre-professional degrees in health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, and arts and sciences.

###