Members of the Terrace Northern Ju-jutsu club have returned home from competing at the 2011 Tiger Balm Internationals in North Vancouver.
Ten students from the club made the trip to compete with more than 500 other martial arts students on March 19 and 20 at the Capilano University Sportsplex.
“It was really good, they fought their hearts out, some won some didn’t,” said Shane Palahicky, a teacher at the club who, along with Tom Logan, accompanied and coached the students during the competition.
He said while the tournament was smaller this year than in the past, there was still a good enough turnout to support competition.
“I found the kids a little bit more relaxed this time because they had all been there before,” Palahicky said.
Mitchell Hess was one of the students who attended Tiger Balm this year.
He said one of the most interesting parts of the competition was the opportunity to see many different types of martial arts.
“I'm definitely going to go next year, I like the thrill and adrenaline,” Hess said, adding “you can't wait for it, it's like Christmas almost.”
Palahicky said there were around 10 rings set up and so in between matches students got a chance to watch other competitors and were exposed to new forms of martial arts, like mixed martial arts and weapons competitions.
“When you get a break, you're looking over and watching what they are doing a couple of rings over,” he said.
Palahicky expects to return with students again next year.
“I'll keep doing this as long as there is an interest,” he said.
Results are as follows:
Devon Redlick – silver in submission grappling and silver in Brazilian ju-jitsu
Brent Eigeard – gold in submission grappling and bronze in brazilian ju-jitsu
Austin Bowen – bronze in padded weapons sparing
Steven Schuss – gold in submission grappling and gold in Brazilian ju-jitsu
Adrian Babcock – gold in padded weapons sparing
Jackson Netzel – gold in submission grappling, gold in Brazilian ju-jitsu and silver in padded weapons sparing
Maya Griffin - bronze in padded weapons sparing
Alyssa Monsen – fourth in Brazilian ju-jitsu and gold in padded weapons sparing
Jessica Monsen – bronze in submission grappling, silver Brazilian ju-jitsu and fourth in padded weapons sparing