Martial arts students from several regional Graves’ Institute of Self Defense dojos recently traveled downstate to compete in a Karate and Ju-Jitsu tournament. Over a dozen other schools teaching various styles of martial arts brought students from ages 4 to almost 70 years of age to vie their skills. Novice white belts to black belt levels displayed their abilities in point fighting, pairs throwing, falling bouts and form kata.
Contributed photo
KARATE WINNERS — Graves’ students who won awards at a recent tournament are, in front from left, Nick Sokolich, Cassidy Moore, Tony Barker, Dylan Folsom and Hannah O’Neil. Middle row, Rob Cullins, Keegan Qualey, Noah Jackins and Jon MacArthur. Back, Senseis Jay Peavey and Malcolm Grant, Head Sensei Bill Graves and Senseis Val Sullivan and Lucy Newbegin.
Sparring matches were single elimination with the first fighter to score three points winning or the fighter ahead on points at the end of two minutes taking the match. Each ju-jitsu pair and form kata displays were judged by five black belts and scored by each with the highest total score winning and the next two high totals taking second and third place trophies. Competition was very high level and scores tight with only a tenth of a point between first and second in many cases.
With over 250 competitors on hand, bringing home an award required excellent tactics and techniques and sometimes just a little bit of luck. Three black belts not only won their respective fighting divisions, but went on to spar in the grand championship rounds and came out on top as state champions.
Sensei Malcolm Grant of Perth-Andover won the Senior men’s black belt trophy, Sensei Jay Peavey of Mars Hill won the top award in the age 18 to 36 men’s black belt fighting. Sensei Valerie Sullivan of Perth-Andover fought her way to a women’s black belt grand championship trophy.
Other grand championship winners included Rob Cullins, a brown belt from Fort Fairfield who won the age 18 to 36 men’s open brown belt fighting. Cassidy Moore of Caribou came out of a tough green belt junior girls sparring group with a three foot tall grand, and white belt Tony Barker of Caribou also won a grand championship in men’s adult novice fighting at his very first competition.
Forty seven area students of Grandmaster Bill Graves traveling downstate to the martial arts event, 28 of them from Presque Isle, Caribou and Mars Hill dojos. Of the 28 from local classes, a total of 21 trophies came back to the County. Graves and his students attend at least four Maine tournaments each year for fun and high level competition.
Graves’ Institute of Self Defense has eight dojos throughout Aroostook and one in New Brunswick, teaching the art of Ketsugo. Class times and locations are available by calling Sensei Graves at 764-1497 and interested parties are welcome to observe a class upon request.
