A 15-member martial-arts team based at the Fort Meigs YMCA in Perrysburg has been chosen to participate with a national team in international competition in London late next month.
The Fort Meigs team, with members from Lucas and Wood counties, will showcase Okinawan Shuri-Ryu Karate — a traditional Japanese martial art that focuses on strengthening the mind, body, and spirit.
“We’re going to represent our country, our state, our cities, our communities. From the beginning of the summer is when everyone tried out and we’ve been practicing weekly since then,” said Amanda Kaufman, the team’s coach.
The competition scheduled for Oct. 25 to 27 is the biggest to date for both Ms. Kaufman and her class.
“It’s the first international competition for all of us, and I’m really proud,” she said.
The students, who vary in age and experience, will participate in a variety of disciplines, Ms. Kaufman said, with some competing with bladed and wooden weapons, others in self-defense and creative musical forums.
“What’s neat is some of them [students] have been working on this as short as three years and up to my junior black belts with over 10 years. I’m in my 28th year, so this is all culminating in this big competition that’s a big event,” she said.
Among the younger students is 10-year-old Gauri Anil, who first began practicing martial arts nearly four years ago for self-protection.
“My parents wanted me to do something so that I could protect myself from people who come to attack me,” Miss Anil said.
Gauri said the team didn’t expect to be selected for the Ohio branch USMA Team.
“We just tried out when they said the tryouts were here … we weren’t expecting to get chosen. It’s really exciting. I mean it’s like an out of the U.S. thing, so it’s pretty exciting,” she said.
Team member Mike Nedley, 56, is anticipating the uncertainty of the international competition.
“I’m excited it’s kind of outside the box and one of the beauties of it is it’s all on you. You don’t have to rely on anybody else. Some of us will be doing some sparring, which can be intimidating but fun. It’s a one and done thing, if you get KO’d you’re out or if you get outpointed you’re out. You can also outpoint someone else,” he said.
Mr. Nedley has been practicing martial arts for nearly 12 years.
The team is raising funds to assist with travel expenses, with two benefit events planned for Sunday.
The team will host a Sunday Funday event from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Fort Meigs YMCA in Perrysburg. The event cost families $20 for the first child and $15 for the second. Activities will include a climbing wall, games, parachute, races, and art. Food is included with admission.
Also on Sunday, a Round Robin Benefit Shoot-Out event will be held at the Toledo Pickleball Club Courts. The event will include a guarantee of five games as well as food and drink and raffle prizes. The games will begin between 8 and 9 a.m. and are slated to last until 3 p.m. Participants should register with Dave Schwan at 419-494-9036. The admission fee is $20 at the door.
First Published September 29, 2019, 9:43 p.m.
