Martial arts students from the Presque Isle and Caribou branches of Graves Institute of Self Defense recently underwent testing for higher belt levels in the style of Ketsugo.
Conducted by six instructors of 5th degree or higher black belts, students were required to exhibit proficiency in kicks, strikes, katas, throwing and falling, self-defense techniques and sparring. All beginners are white belt level, then work their way over months to test for green 1 level, going through three more levels to green 4 and on to brown and black belt levels over several years.
Testing for every higher level becomes more difficult and intensive since students must remember and will need to demonstrate tactics and techniques from all their previous belt levels.
Dr. Jeffrey Hoeksma of Caribou tested for and achieved his 4th degree green, while his daughter Ayumi earned her green three and son Hiroki got his green two, a fairly unique family event.
Jacob Wickstrom also tested and earned his 2nd-degree green belt.
A couple of weeks later another testing night was held for students from the Presque Isle and Mars Hill branches of the Graves Institute, and a larger group underwent the intensive workout.
Jacob Hotham of Mars Hill was promoted to brown belt. Jensen Larrabee, Jaxx Bradbury, Rylee Boos and Kaleb Singleton got 1st-degree green belts.
From the Presque Isle class held at the community center, Aaron McCormack, Nathan Quint, Brody Cupecho, Zach Poisson, Lena Murphy, Jonah Sharp, Jameson McDonald, Brock Bosse and Jack Bosse all received 1st-degree green belts.
A group of 28 students and instructors from regional Graves’ dojos recently participated in the annual Maine Karate and Ketsugo Association (MKKA) fall tournament held in Bucksport. Participating in team sparring, individual sparring and Ju-Jitsu pairs throwing, the group won a total of 25 trophies.
Prior to the tournament, an hourlong annual awards ceremony took place. From each of the 12 MKKA dojos present, an adult and a youth martial artist were selected to receive a trophy or plaque for most improved, most dedicated, best attitude and student of the year. An award was also presented to most supportive parent in each branch school.
After the tournament, the MKKA promotional board of 18 master black belts, 5th degree and higher, conducted black belt testing for eight students from Maine branches. Two Senseis from Aroostook County were promoted. Sensei Lucy Newbegin of Caribou earned her 6th degree and Sensei Buzzy Qualey from Sherman was awarded his 5th-degree black belt.
Graves Institute of Self Defense holds weekly youth and adult classes at the Presque Isle, Caribou, Mars Hill and Old Town recreation centers as well as women’s self-defense classes. Grandmaster Bill Graves has over 50 years experience and holds black belts in varied styles of martial arts.
For information contact the recreation center or visit the Graves Institute of Self Defense on Facebook.
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Correction: This story has been amended to fix misspellings of Rylee Boos’ name.
