Graves’ Summer Kick Off sizzles

    Graves Summer Kick Off Karate and Ju Jitsu tournament in Houlton completed its 20th anniversary event in mid-June much as its others, with exciting competition, enthusiastic spectators, lots of trophies and fun for all. Martial arts students from throughout Maine, New Brunswick, and as far away as Massachusetts traveled to vie skills in point sparring, form kata, weapons kata, ju jitsu, and power impactor events.
    Many of the competitors were from right here in Aroostook County allowing parents, grandparents, and extended family to enjoy watching a tournament without traveling to Bangor or farther south. Currently there are only about a half a dozen karate competitions left running throughout the entire state, and Graves’ is the sole event north of Bangor.
TOURNEY ACTION — Sensei Buzzy Qualey lifts Sensei John Sanders over his shoulders during their ju-jitsu routine.
    Black belt divisions garnered a great deal of attention throughout the day as men and women instructors tried to win one of the huge grand championship trophies presented only to the best of the best. Ju-Jitsu pairs demonstrated six throws in a simulated confrontation and are scored by five high-level black belt judges. Sensei Jerod Kingsbury and Jay Peavey of Mars Hill were the grand champions this year.
    Sensei Peavey also won the grand championship in senior men’s sparring, a rare and memorable accomplishment with so many tough fighters. Sensei Jennifer Pictou of Presque Isle took home the women’s black belt fighting grand championship trophy. Pictou then went on to win first place in her division of the power impactor competition.
Seth Rand, left, and Seth Hannigan are smiling after they received their second-place trophies.
    Area winners in other fighting divisions included Mitch Wheeler of Bridgewater, adult brown belt sparring; Dylan Fulton of Westfield for first in junior green belt division; Teagan Ewings of Houlton, first in girls Peewee green belt; Seth Hannigan of Houlton, first place in boy’s Maxi Peewee fighting; Charlotte Hart of Island Falls, won first in mini Peewee white/yellow belt fighting, while Peewee white/yellow girls sparring winner was Amelia Ivey of Houlton, and brother Devin Ivey of Houlton claimed first in the boys Peewee novice point sparring.
Kyle White, left, and Teagan Ewings perform their ju-jitsu kata.
    Local participants winning awards in the lower belt Ju-Jitsu divisions included brown belt partners Mitch Wheeler and Walter Mosher of Bridgewater and Mars Hill, respectively. Wheeler also won first place in form kata, accomplishing the rare feat of taking home three trophies from one tournament. Green belts Keegan Qualey and Andy Hartt of Island Falls won the men’s green/purple throwing division. In the Peewee white/yellow novice division, Island Falls brothers Kyle and Kaden McNally took home the trophies.
    Throughout the day over 200 trophies and medals were awarded as a large and supportive crowd looked on and cheered. With six to eight rings in progress at all times there was plenty of action to keep onlookers well entertained and to keep the tourney moving at a steady pace. Attendees truly enjoyed the event and are already looking forward to next summer’s one and only regional karate and ju jitsu event. 
Green belts Keegan Qualey, pinned with an arm wrench, and Andy Hartt of Island Falls won the men’s green/purple throwing division.
    Any regional folks interested in viewing or joining one of Graves’ Ketsugo classes in Houlton, Island Falls or Mars Hill  may call Sensei Steve Chabot at 532-7053 in Houlton, Sensei Walter Garnett at 365-4327 in Sherman or Head Sensei Bill Graves at 551-5777 in Presque Isle.