A total of 25 students and five black belt instructors from Graves’ Institute of Self Defense dojos in Caribou, Mars Hill, Milford and Presque Isle recently traveled to Bucksport to compete in Tracy’s annual Fall Karate and Ju-Jitsu tournament.
More than 175 martial artists from ages 5 to 70 entered in point sparring and pairs Ju-Jitsu matches broken down by age, gender and colored belt levels, which signify experience. Despite top-rate statewide competitors, several Graves’ students won trophies in both events.
Kaleb Singleton and Jensen Larabee of Mars Hill each won a first-place trophy in green belt fighting, and then teamed up to take a first place in their green/purple/brown belt throwing division.
From the Milford branch of Graves’ Ketsugo, Grayson Gears and Cory Ouellette also won dual awards: second place in point sparring and first place in Ju-Jitsu throwing in junior green belt and adult green belt, respectively.
Several families had multiple members competing and some won multiple awards as well. Travis Folsom and daughter Lainey each won two trophies: a pair of first places for Travis and a set of third-place awards for Lainey in their green belt division of adult men’s kumite and JuJitsu and junior girls Kumite and Ju-Jitsu.
From the Caribou dojo, Dr. Jeff Hoeksma, daughter Ayumi and son Hiroki each brought home a trophy in their various age and gender point fighting divisions.
Brothers Brock and Jack Bosse of Presque Isle each won an award for sparring in their separate age levels in green belt fighting.
Despite the large number of competitors and dozens of divisions for age and experience levels, eight rings ran constantly throughout the day. A chief referee and four corner judges, all high level black belts, oversaw every match to assure safety and fairness.
Prior to the tournament starting, a one hour award ceremony took place to recognize outstanding performance over the past year by certain students. Twelve dojos had adult and juvenile students on hand and special trophies were presented to the Most Dedicated, Best Attitude, and Most Improved. The Most Supportive Parents were also recognized with an award.
The most prestigious accolade for each branch was Student of the Year, and that martial artist received a larger trophy and an embroidered sweatshirt.
(Courtesy of Bill Graves)
At the end of the ceremony, four college students were presented with scholarship checks. Sensei Taylor Curtis and Sensei Robert Giles work out at both Caribou and Presque Isle dojos, and each received part of the $2,000 offered this year.
Over the past 30 years, the Maine Ketsugo and Karate Association has provided more than $106,000 in scholarship assistance to deserving members of its dojos.
After the tournament ended in Bucksport, the 25-member MKKA promotional board gathered at Tracy’s Ellsworth dojo to conduct black belt testing. All members of the board are master level senseis, having earned black belt levels of the 5th degree and above.
Fourteen students underwent the grueling three-hour test to achieve their respective black belt rank from 1st to 8th degree.
Sensei Jay Peavey, head instructor of the Milford dojo, earned his 7th degree black belt. He has trained with Grandmaster Bill Graves for 26 years.
Sensei Taylor Curtis, assistant instructor of the Caribou branch, was awarded his 3rd degree black belt and has been working out for 13 years.
Graves Institute of Self Defense offers ongoing weekly classes through local recreation departments in Presque Isle, Caribou and Mars Hill. For information visit the institute on Facebook.
