Twenty-one students and instructors from four regional branch schools of Graves Institute of Self Defense traveled to Bucksport recently to compete in the semiannual Tracy’s karate and jiu jitsu tournament.
Just under 200 competitors from age 5 to over 70 vied with their skills in team fighting, individual sparring and pairs throwing and falling routines. All divisions were determined by gender, age and belt levels from white to black belt to assure fairness.
The once-a-year team fighting event is the only such competition in the entire state and is unique since each five-person team is selected at random from all individual entrants. There were 26 under belt teams comprised of white, yellow, green, purple and brown belts of various ages, as well as seven black belt teams with 1st to 8th degree instructors as members.
In this single elimination event, sparring pairs are selected by size and belt level, each match is 2 minutes or two points and the team with the highest accumulation of points moves to the next round. There were several tie scores throughout the competition which required a randomly selected pair to fight again, resulting in a very exciting match to decide who moved on.
All sparring and jujitsu pair throwing events are overseen by a head referee and four corner judges, all of black belt level. The top black belt team and the 1st and 2nd place under belt teams received a three tier trophy over three- feet tall for each member. The large crowd was truly supportive and boisterous during the team event where strangers turned into teammates and friends. Often the smallest, youngest fighters provided decisive and exciting bouts to propel their quintet onto the next round.
Sensei Taylor Curtis of Caribou won several matches that helped propel his black belt team to a first place finish, and he received a memorable trophy.
Cruz Salter, a green belt from the Presque Isle Dojo, fought well for several rounds, aiding his team to a second place finish among the 26 starting underbelt teams and a large award for his trophy shelf at home.
Sensei Jay Peavey, the head instructor of the Milford branch of Graves Institute of Self Defense, sparred his way to a first place grand championship trophy in the executive black belt division.
(Courtesy of Bill Graves)
Several Graves students excelled during the day in their fighting and jiu jitsu teams and accomplished the difficult feat of winning two trophies each. Jensen Larrabee of Mars Hill won first place in fighting and throwing in his green belt age group. Riley Boos, also from the Mars Hill Dojo, won a pair of 2nd-place awards in the girl’s green belt division.
Brian Double and Corey Ouellette of the Milford branch each won first place in point sparring, as well as first place in jujitsu in the men’s brown belt and green belt divisions, respectively. Brenna Jones brought home a pair of 2nd-place trophies in her girls green belt division.
Eight rings overseen by 40 alternating judges and referees ran consistently throughout the six-hour tournament and competition was keen for all ages and belt levels. The 21 students and instructors from Graves’ branches garnered a total of 20 trophies and eight medals for their efforts and everyone enjoyed the event.
For tournament details or photos, check out the Graves Institute of Self Defense on Facebook.
