Grandmaster Bill Graves and the students from eight regional dojos of Graves’ Institute of Self Defense will host their 21st martial arts competition on Saturday, June 16. Graves Annual Summer Kick-Off Karate and Ju-Jitsu Tournament takes place at the Houlton High School gym where many competitors from throughout Maine, New Brunswick and a few New England states congregate to vie their various martial arts skills.
During the five-hour event eight rings will display point fighting, form kata, weapons kata, Ju-Jitsu throwing pairs and power impactor competitions. Competitors range from 5 years old to over 65 years young and divisions are set up by gender, age, size, and belt level to assure fairness.
Over 225 trophies and 100 medals will be awarded to top-place winners in 85 various divisions. Top events of the day will be the black belt sparring and Ju-Jitsu competitions for which half a dozen huge grand championship trophies go to the “Best of the Best,” as first-place weight and age-class winners compete in one final challenge for that most sought out grand champion win.
The four-and-a-half foot high, three-tiered ornate trophies are each sponsored by area businesses or local individuals with an attachment to the regional Graves’ classes. Among the supporters are Yorks of Houlton, TD Bank, attorney Patrick Hunt, and the Pictou family in memory of Forest Pictou, a former Graves’ student. The Half dozen trophies will be awarded to winners of black belt Ju-Jitsu, men’s open black belt fighting, women’s open and senior women’s black belt fighting and men’s senior, and men’s executive black belt sparring as well as the combined forms and weapons kata black belt winner.
One of the most exciting and entertaining competitions of the local tournament is the Ju-Jitsu pairs. Two partners perform six throws in an attack and defense routine that displays difficulty dependent on age and experience. Black belts offer a great number of acrobatic and aerobatic throws and falls guaranteed to draw cheers from the crowd each and every year.
Even for folks with no family members involved in martial arts the Graves’ tournament provides unique and thrilling entertainment. For others who harbor an interest in a combination of personal exercise and self defense the tournament offers further insight. Doors open to the pubic a 9:30 a.m. and events get under way of 10:30 a.m. with kids fighting and throwing divisions first up in the Houlton High School gym. A variety of concessions will be available throughout the event in the cafeteria adjacent to the main gym.
Along with the trophies for competitors, a number of spectators will be given certificates for free classes at several Graves’ dojos and complimentary passes for women’s self defense classes. Saturday, June 16, offers exciting martial arts entertainment for competitors and spectators alike, and everyone is welcome to enjoy Aroostook’s only such event.
