Students in grades K-12 from from Akron, Canton, Lorain, Parma, Toledo, Warren and Youngstown participated in the Summit Academy Martial Arts Tournament on April 25 at the Navarre Towpath Trail YMCA. Parma therapeutic martial arts teacher Shihan David Chance, Ph.D. coordinated the tournament.
Of the nearly 60 tournament competitors, 25 took home gold medals, 26 earned silver medals and 30 scooped up bronze medals. The martial artists competed in 20 divisions including empty hand kata, kobudo (weapons) kata, and teams kata. In addition, trophies were awarded to Summit Academy – Lorain for the highest number of competitors (20) and for furthest traveling school (about 75 miles).
During the event, the Summit Academy Community School – Parma Ju Jitsu Team, under the direction of Shihan Chance, competed in the USA Sport Ju Jitsu Alliance Qualifier.
The tournament was officiated by referees from the USAKF referee council.
“The students’ behavior and performances on Saturday truly represented the very best of what Summit Academy is all about. The referee/judges were not only impressed, but moved by our students’ focus, control, respect and composure during the event. I received many compliments, not only about our students, but about our senseis all as well,” says Shihan Chuck Rickard, who leads Summit Academy’s therapeutic martial arts program.