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St. Lawrence County jiu jitsu competitors find success at grappling tourney

Posted 9/20/19

NORWOOD -- Members of the Norwood-based North Country Martial Arts Academy’s Brazilian jiu jitsu competition team ended their spring season with an exclamation point as they competed in a Grappling …

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St. Lawrence County jiu jitsu competitors find success at grappling tourney

Posted

NORWOOD -- Members of the Norwood-based North Country Martial Arts Academy’s Brazilian jiu jitsu competition team ended their spring season with an exclamation point as they competed in a Grappling Industries Tournament May 25 in Plattsburgh.

The youngest fighter was 5 years old while the oldest was 65 years old, teams traveled from Montreal to North Carolina to compete in Grappling Industries Plattsburg, said a press release from the academy.

Divisions are organized based on competitors’ age, weight, skill and gender (for teen and adult divisions), the press release said. The grappling tournament uses a points system to score matches. For example, competitors receive 2 points for a takedown and 3 points for passing guard. Fighters can win via points or also via a submission from which their opponent consequently “taps out.” In addition to fighting while wearing a gi, competitors also can enter a “no gi” division where they’re only allowed to wear shorts and tee shirt, said the press release.

A referee who is on the mat during the match keeps score and also maintains a safe environment for all competitors, the press release said.

The North Country Martial Arts Academy was represented by six competitors.

Bo Pirsuck led the charging taking gold in gi and no gi by controlling the standup action and scoring takedowns to win his matches on points.

Jackson Ames finished with a gold in gi and bronze in no gi.

Emme DeLisle was in a big division with some tough 10-11 year old girls. She showed a lot of determination on her way to a 3rd place finish, the press release said.

Owen DeLisle had some of the most entertaining matches of the day and finished in 2nd place gi and 3rd place no gi in the 6- to 7-year-old boys division.

Cody Bond took 2nd place in the 10 and 11 year 85 pounds weight class.

Gunnar Ames brought home a bronze in the gi and a silver medal in his no gi division.

Jacob Patnode was the lone teen representative for the academy. He entered the expert teen division to test himself. He had some very close matches versus game opponents that he barely lost.

Mike Ames won the absolute (no weight limit) gi division by controlling the stand up action and using smothering pressure to control his opponent’s position from the top.

Spencer Paige, 8-2 professional mma record and member of Team GSP from season 12 of The Ultimate Fighter, is the head instructor at the academy. Check out www.northcountrymartialarts.com for more info or see the facebook page.

Training is open to youth ages 8-12 and adults of all fitness and skill levels. Training for youth is Monday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 9:45 a.m., training for adults is Monday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Classes are held in the Norwood Municipal Building.