Annual Graves tourney boasts many local winners
MARS HILL, Maine — Loud karate kias, pronounced crowd cheering and prolonged applause resounded throughout the Central Aroostook Junior-Senior High School Gymnasium June 20, 2015 as the Graves’ Summer Kick-Off Karate and Ju-Jitsu tournament unfolded.
An excellent crowd enjoyed viewing competitors as young as 4 years of age and some who could collect Social Security vie for one or two of the more than 200 trophies and medals. With six rings in use at all times, the action was fast and furious and spectators and participants alike put in a busy, exciting and fulfilling few hours.
Martial arts events included point sparring, Ju-Jitsu pair throwing, form kata, weapons kata and power impactor. To promote fairness divisions for each competition were set up using age, gender, height, weight and experience, which is determined by colored belt levels, to form specific groups. A head referee and four corner judges oversaw and called points for all fighting matches while this same five formed a seated panel to view and score other events with a 1 to 10 flip card in increments of 0.1 for each to determine and display a score.
In addition to many competitors from regional Graves’ dojos, karate students from southern Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New Brunswick traveled to participate. Among the group were over 45 black belts of various levels ranging from 1st to 8th degree. Most of the black belts were part of one of a dozen fighting and throwing divisions where the final person of the single-elimination event would square off with the other top winners to earn the much-coveted Grand Championship trophy.
These 4-1/2 feet tall, three-tiered wooden awards are the largest of any martial arts event throughout the state. Without local sponsorship from area businesses, these annual trophies could not be offered.
Sensei Jay Peavey and Sensei Mitch Wheeler, both of Mars Hill, enjoyed the rare feat of a repeat win by garnering a pair of grand trophies for the second straight year in the black belt Ju-Jitsu division. Sensei Peavey then went on to outfight light and heavyweight 17- to 35-year-old fighters to win the open point sparring grand championship as well. Peavey had also taken top honors at Tracy’s MKKA Bucksport Tourney in late April. Sensei Mike McEnroe took the senior men’s black belt and heavyweight senior and executive division fighters. Sensei Michelle Morrow, a dentist from Belfast, won the black belt women’s grand for open and senior fighters.
The Hartt family of Fort Kent enjoyed a great family win as dad Andy and daughters Charlotte and Sadie all won trophies. Andrew Kakos and sons Christopher and Camden of Mars Hill also won awards. Sisters Ashleigh and Lauren Craig of Caribou, Teagan and Teanne Ewings of Houlton and siblings Malachi and Kira Fitzherbert of Mars Hill also enjoyed winning a trophy each. Rob Cullins and son Jacob of Fort each took a trophy as well.
With so many tough, experienced competitors, winning one of the top three trophies is an accomplishment. A surprising number of area Graves’ students really raised the bar and used their skills to win a trophy in at least two events. Caribou dojo students winning a pair of awards include green belt Taylor Curtis, brown belts Paige O’Bar and Ashleigh Craig and black belt Sensei Dylan Coty.
Sensei Noah Jackins of Houlton as well as brown belt Teagan Ewings also won two trophies. Andy Hartt, a brown belt from the Island Falls dojo, and Malachi Fitzherbert of Mars Hill also were double winners. Jonathan Robinson of the Island Falls branch of Graves Ketsugo truly made a memorable day for himself as the new 15-year-old brown belt won three trophies during the day’s events.
This was the first time Graves Summer Kick-Off was held in Mars Hill, and spectators and competitors alike were happy and complimentary of the new venue. More tournament information as well as videos and photos of the event may be found on Facebook at Graves Institute of Self Defense. Prospective new students may phone Grand Master Bill Graves for more information at 551-5777.
