Along with all the kicks, strikes and throws taking place in six rings throughout the gymnasium during the 22nd annual Graves Summer Kick Off Karate and Ju-Jitsu tournament, spectators really got a kick from the event as well. A larger than normal crowd filled the stands at Houlton High School gym and spent the day cheering on family and friends as well as “oohing and ahhing” at the great fighting techniques and breathtaking Ju-Jitsu and Aikido throws performed by the many competitors they didn’t even know. With all rings under way, the action was non-stop.
Over 200 trophies and 75 medals were awarded to participants as young as 5 and up to 65 who vied their skills in point sparring, form kata, weapons kata, Ju-Jitsu paired routines and power impactor divisions. One chief referee and four corner judges, all black belts, oversaw each ring to assure respect, fairness, safety and control. To further ascertain fairness, all of the divisions were set by age, weight, height, gender and belt color, which connotes experience in months and years.
Contenders in Black Belt Ju-Jitsu, men’s fighting (age 17-34), men’s senior fighting (age 35 and up), women’s open fighting and women’s senior fighting all sought the huge grand championship trophy awarded to first place in each division. The half dozen five-foot high, three-tiered awards are each sponsored by regional businesses and much desired by all the black belts.
Sensei Jay Peavey of Mars Hill took first in the men’s black belt open sparring. Even the first-place trophies in under-belt divisions measure two-feet high and a real prize for younger karate students.
Graves Institute of Self Defense offers very family-oriented classes and few things prove more rewarding than when two or more family members win a trophy. In this event, a number of familial groups enjoyed such an outcome. Rob Cullins, a brown belt from Fort Fairfield won second place in high fighting division, while sons Jacob and Sam also won trophies in their respective sparring sections.
Nathan and Michael Chambers, brothers from Mars Hill won a first and second, respectively in fighting while brother and sister Seth and Jenna Rand of the Island Falls dojo also garnered a first and second in their sparring matches and a pair of thirds in throwing. Brothers Xander, Gunner and Mitchell Gray of Perth Andover, N.B. all took home fighting awards in three separate divisions.
At every tournament there are a handful of students who are at the top of their game that particular day and win multiple awards in different competitions.
Dylan and Dustin Coty of Caribou, twin brothers and Graves’ most recently promoted black belts not only won first place as a team in Ju-Jitsu but then went on to take first and second place in fighting. The Moore clan, sisters Cassidy, Alicia and Abby, won a total of six trophies in sparring and Ju-Jitsu, and three were first places.
Green belts Page O’Bar of Caribou and Xavier Couturier of Perth Andover; brown belts Hanna ONeil of Perth and Ethan Kinney of Mars Hill, and Blake Vincent and Jacob Hafford, white belts from Ashland attending their first tournament, all won dual awards in Ju-Jitsu and went on to win trophies in their fighting events.
It was an eventful and rewarding tournament for participants, spectators and instructors alike with plenty of memories packed into the five-hour event.
Anyone interested in learning more about the unique art of Ketsugo may observe a class at one of Graves’ eight regional dojos or call Grandmaster Bill Graves at 551-5777 for more information.
