Michael Dargie Events Camp of Combat Arts 2010
|
13 August 2010
It's Friday the 13th. I don't say that to be ominous, I say that as a statement of fact — it is the day before the Alberta Jiu-Jitsu Associations Camp of Combat Arts at the Southland Leisure Centre in Calgary.
This might sound a little self-promoting (I guess because I'm helping promote this event), but this event is big news. In one place, throughout the day, participants are going to meet some of Canada's top combat artists and train with them for an hour each.
So what are some combative arts that will be at this event?
Japanese Ju Jitsu
Arguably the original Mixed Martial Art, Japanese Ju Jitsu is comprised of striking, joint-locks, pressure-point control, throws, hold-downs, escort and restraining techniques. It is more self-defence orientated than sport orientated, and is the parent art of Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate and Aikido. Styles taught today have been developed over 500+ years.
This year the Japanese Ju Jitsu mat will be run by Kevin Lintott; Police Officer, President of AJJA and owner of Goshin Martial Arts.
Kodakan Judo
In it's most basic form, judo is a combative art that was derived from Japanese Ju Jitsu about 130 years ago and is now one of the world's most exciting Olympic events. Judo focuses on throws and hold-downs and the sport aspect of the art, but at higher levels looks more and more like Ju Jitsu.
This year the Kodakan Judo mat will be run by Garry Yamashita: 6th Degree Blackbelt and members of Canada's National Judo Team from Hiro's Judo Club.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Focusing more on dominance on the ground, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most widely known style of jiu-jitsu in the world, thanks to events like the UFC [www.ufc.com]. Comprised of fast transitions to positional control and a vast array of submission techniques from locks to chokes BJJ has developed ground fighting to a high art since introduced to Brazil in the early 1900's.
This year the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu mat will be run by Professor Josh Russell; owner of Gracie Barra Calgary, UFC Coach and Cornerman
Olympic Wrestling
The first recorded Olympic Wrestling match occurred in 708 BC and could easily be said to be influential in every martial art in the world. Wrestling is comprised of clinches, takedowns, joint-locks, pins and holds with the winner being the person to secure and maintain a superior position in relation to their opponent.
This year the Wrestling mat will be run by Ari Taub; 2008 Beijing Olympic Wrestler, Pan-American Champion and CEO of Hard Knocks Fighting Championship.
Muay Thai
Often referred to the "Art of Eight Limbs" which speaks directly to the eight points of contact (fists, elbows, feet, knees) in this form of fighting and comes from Southeast Asia, most notably Thailand. Purely a striking art, Muay Thai is a large part of Thai culture and is the preferred striking art of many mixed martial artists.
This year the Muay Thai mat will be run by Scott "Pitbull" and Erik Lollike from Mike Miles Muay Thai and Kickboxing.
Mixed Martial Arts
A worldwide phenomenon, Mixed Martial Arts competitions have come along way since bare-knuckle, no-holds-barred cage fighting. Mixed Martial Artists are proficient in Striking (Muay Thai), Grappling and Throws (Wrestling) and Ground Fighting (Jiu-Jitsu).
This year the MMA mat will be run by the team and professional athletes of Independent MMA in Calgary.
Each one of these combat arts will be taught to students throughout the day from some of Canada's top athletes and coaches. From a high-ranking Japanese Ju Jitsu Instructors, Olympic Athletes, National and International Champions, Professional Fighters, UFC Coaches and Corner-men to World Champions in some of the oldest fighting arts — this will be an event to remember.
Martial Artists can be a cagey bunch. Many can be seen posturing and telling whoever will listen why they are better than another. However, when you find someone who is confident in what they do and teach ego just dissipates — they're comfortable with what they do and can also see the value in what others do.
That's one of the most exciting things about this event — besides learning how to Superman Punch or triangle-choke someone of course.
When it's no longer a competition to see who has "the best kung-fu" suddenly there's mutual respect and teams of top athletes and coaches in six of the most respected combative arts can get together and share their passion with each other and their students.
People attending the Camp of Combat Arts are from all over Canada and have a variety of backgrounds; not everyone is involved in combative arts either. Some are just curious to get a hands-on sampler of what each art does, or is like. Others are amateur athletes. Some are professional athletes looking for a new experience. Still others are in the law enforcement or personal security fields and want an edge.
The Camp of Combat Arts is being hosted by the Alberta Jiu-Jitsu Association, a non-profit society in Alberta. The AJJA develops and provides special training and programs across Alberta for youths at risk, women's self-defence, victims of violence as well as young athlete development.
Get more information or purchase tickets for the camp at www.CombatArts.pro or follow them on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/CombatArtsPro.
Spam, Flamers, Trolls and Inappropriate Content will be immediately flagged, rejected and flushed into the Internet abyss without so much as a hello.
If you are not a member of this site your comments are put in queue for moderation. We'll get to them as post them as quickly as possible. Please use your Free-Speech responsibly.