Four students from the Santa Clarita Parks and Recreation Department’s Budoshin Ju-Jitsu program entered the American Ju-Jitsu Association’s Western Region Freestyle Kata Tournament in Claremont on Saturday, November 22. Facing fierce competition, they walked away with three trophies plus the Regional Championship Trophy.
Joe Bailey captured the 1ST place trophy for the Beginner Division and Ray Castillo captured 2ND. Matthew Gelaude, who is also a student in the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu class at College of the Canyons, captured 3rd place in the Intermediate Division. The entrants from the Santa Clarita dojo went up against competitors from three other ju-jitsu schools in southern California.
In freestyle kata competition, competitors are faced with continuous street attacks for 60-90 seconds, without prior knowledge of how they will be attacked, and must demonstrate effective self-defense techniques that illustrate knowledge of ju-jitsu. Budoshin Ju-Jitsu stresses both the art and street self-defense.
If you’re interested in enrolling in the next 9-week Budoshin Ju-Jitsu class session, registration begins December 2. The next session of classes begins the week of January 12, 2009. For more information, contact the Santa Clarita Parks and Recreation Dept at (661) 250-3700 or check your copy of Seasons.
