Bane II

For those who missed it - you missed a tremendous show of heart and talent. I always that what a grappler must pay for his - or her - art is a pint of blood, a pound of flesh and a ton of heart well that price was paid in full on Saturday by many competitors. The tone was set early by Michelle Reilly who stepped up to take part in our triple elimination lighting rounds. She was the first women to compete in such an event. Despite her early exit form that event her courage set the tone for the rest of the day with player after player stepping up to face new challenges.

There were three weight divisions of the triple elimination lighting rounds. After those rounds many players would have been happy to call it a day - but those matches were just the beginning. We soon went on to the Point - Submission Grappling division that had some great action. The true double elimination format gave every player an opportunity to get in a lot of matches to test their skills and stamina.

The Sparring and endurance divisions saw a smaller number of player but also offered some great moments. For me the most exciting may have been the first round in the match that pitted Mark Lowery against Pete Vadell. Mark literally opened a can on Pete - landing shot after shot (A big thank you to Mark for controlling those blows). After 50 seconds of pummeling it looked like an easy round for Mark - But as he had proven all day - Nothing is easy with Pete. With just seconds left Pete snapped on a baseball choke for the win. That match was indicative of what we as grapplers hope to see in our sport.

Our goal with all our tournaments is to improve the quality of grappling for everyone. I think over the last 8 months we have made huge strides. We have held 5 tournaments. Next month we will start our State Championship Series and this summer we will hopefully be holding a Regional tournament. Who knows in a year or two we might be hosting a National tournament. Great things spring from little steps.

Your continuing support is what will make this happen. Not just in the tournaments but continuing to increase the cooperation across club and discipline lines. Along with our adult tournaments we would like to hold a juniors tournament, host more seminars and maybe have a banquet.

I think our sport is one of the finest in the world. It has room for many but demands sacrifice, skill, strength, speed and courage to excel. It demands we suffer pain, yet guards against injury. It breaks ego, yet builds confidence. A sport of individual competition that betters everyone. The lines between those who win and those who lose is often obscured by bonds of kinship players feel for one another. Regardless of if you call your self Judokian, BJJ, submission wrestler, mixed arts fighter of anything else - we have room at our table for you and anyone you want to bring along. All we ask is that you pay the price the sport demands; for in doing so you will enrich all of us.

Before I close I would like again to point out the tremendous show of support and skill by those from combat Jui-Jitsu. I just can not say enough about how much they as a school have meant for these tournaments. If everyone did as much as they have done we would definitely be holding a national tournament in the near future. While others seem content to stay home, to hide their light under a bushel, to refrain from the challenge, they have stepped forward again and again in ever greater numbers and played their hearts out. That is what is should be all about. I�m a better player today then I was yesterday because Pete Vadell was there and I hope he feels the same way.

Again I want to say to everyone who played - It was an honor to share the mat with you. Your efforts make all the work we put into the events worth while.

Please enjoy some images from the tournament
(If you have any images to add please e-mail them to me - [email protected])

Those who battle understand what those who sit idle can not.� As we struggle we grow.� In defeat we grow stronger. In victory we grow humble.			Those who walk with the knowledge of grappling never walk alone. (Gene LaBell)

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