Students from the Presque Isle, Mars Hill and Caribou branches of the Graves Institute of Self Defense traveled to Bucksport recently to attend Tracy’s annual spring karate and Ju-Jitsu tournament.
Male and female Ketsugo practitioners from 6 to 64 years of age competed in point sparring and two-person Ju-Jitsu teams. There were more than 170 competitors entered into dozens of divisions set up by gender, age and belt levels.
Belt levels range form novice white and yellow to intermediate blue, green and purple, and then advanced brown and black belts. Some belt colors have several levels indicated by stripes on the belt, earned by testing over periods of months and years.
Matching up belt levels and ages keeps the single-elimination fighting matches fair and competitive. Eight 14-square-foot rings all operate at the same time, each with a head referee and four corner judges. Those overseeing the fighting and throwing matches are all senior level black belts.
(Courtesy of Bill Graves)
From the Caribou dojo, Dad Jeff Hoeksma, daughter Ayumi and son Hiroki, levels of green 4, green 3 and green 2 respectively, all brought home an award.
Ayumi outscored her opponents with excellent kicking combinations in four matches to win a first-place trophy. Jacob Wickstrom, also a green 3 belt from Caribou, fought his way through several spars to also garner a first-place trophy.
A trio of young first-degree green belts from the Mars Hill branch all managed to bring home a trophy from their varied sparring divisions. Jensen Larrabee won first place in Boys Pee Wee division, Riley Boos got a third in girls mini pee wee and Jaxx Bradbury brought home a second place in boys pee wee sparring.
Senseis Taylor Curtis and Robert Giles help instruct at both Presque Isle and Caribou dojos and their two-man Ju-Jitsu routine outscored eight other black belt duos to win the grand championship for the event.
Curtis went on to win first place in his black belt fighting division and Giles placed third in his sparring, making both senseis dual award winners.
(Courtesy of Bill Graves)
Sensei Jay Peavey of Mars Hill and Sensei Buzzy Qualey of Island Falls are head instructors at the Milford branch of Graves’ Ketsugo, and took six green belts and a brown belt to the tournament. The group enjoyed great success, bringing home a total of 12 trophies with five competitors who were dual winners in kumite and Ju-Jitsu.
Father and daughter Travis and Lainey Folsom combined for a first, two seconds and a third in their respective fighting and throwing events.
Graves martial arts classes operate year-round, offering self defense for men, women, and youngsters. More information can be found on Facebook at Graves Institute of Self Defense or by calling the Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Caribou or Milford Recreation Centers.
