Karate club holds first tournament

The Blue Heron Karate Academy held its first tournament last weekend, which may have been the first ever karate tournament in Plains, said Jason Williams, the club's "sensei," and creator of the Plains-based club.

Fourteen kids of the academy competed with each other at the Sanders County Fairgrounds pavilion Saturday in three different contests – Kata, ribbon drill, and chest sparring. Jasmine Trull, 11, finished as the grand champion in the 11-14-year-olds class in the chest sparring competition after defeating Logan Steinebach, 12, who took second. Third place went to Aaron Trull. The 14-year-old Aaron Trull took top honors in the ribbon drill contest, followed by Steinebach in second and Jasmine Trull in third. The ribbon drills called for opponents to snatch a ribbon from either side of their opponent.

In the oldest age group of the Kata contest, where individuals were judged in the proper stance and moves, Steinebach took first, followed by Jasmine Trull in second and Aaron Trull in third.

In the 8-10-year-old class, the sparring champion went to 10-year-old Kylan Bostick. Lieah Prichard, 10, took second, and in third place was Kaden Trull, 9 years old. Bostick also took the top trophy in the ribbon drill and Kata contest. Kaden Trull placed second in the ribbon drill and third in Kata. Lieah Prichard took second in Kata and third in the ribbon drill.

Annie Turner, 5, grabbed first place in the 5-7-year-olds chest sparring, followed by Jonathan Toyias, 7, in second place and Reece Cummings, 7, in third. Six-year-old Colton Jones nabbed first in the Kata competition and second in the ribbon drill. Toyias took first in the ribbon drill and second in Kata. Ben Turner, 6, took third in the ribbon drills. All top placements received a trophy. Those who didn't place in the top three spots received ribbons.

Just over 30 people showed up to watch the tournament, which also included demonstrations by Williams and Lydia, 18, and Chloe French, 15, who are both first-degree black belts in the club. The karate club kids also demonstrated proper punching, kicking, blocking, and takedown moves for the audience.

The club was formed by Williams five years ago in February and now has 25 members ranging from 5-50 years old from Plains, Paradise, Hot Springs, and Thompson Falls. Members range from white belt, a beginner, to black belts and boasts of five first-degree black belts. "I think that's something, considering this small area," said Williams, a Sandan third-degree black belt. There are 12 belt classes from white to black, said Williams.

The club has been planning the tournament for three months, said Williams, who has been involved in karate for more than 20 years. The tournament was free admission, thanks to the 10 sponsors, which helped pay for the trophies and medals and made it so the club would not have to charge an admissions fee, according to Williams. The club meets on Mondays at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital's building two for beginners from 6-7 p.m. and advanced members from 7-8 p.m. The cost to join the club is $25, but only $5 for a second family member. Anyone interested in joining the club can contact Williams at his office at 826-4974.

The club has not competed in any other tournaments, although Williams said they're thinking about going to a competition in Missoula. The Blue Heron Karate Academy practices the Matsumura Shorin-Ryu type of karate, which centers more on self-defense rather than sport karate, said Lydia French, who has been a member of the club since its start. "It really teaches you respect and learning from other people with more experience," said Chloe French, who also joined the club five years ago. The French sisters served as judges during the tournament. Williams noted that karate builds a person's discipline and confidence.

"I think it went very well. The kids had posts all over Facebook and the feedback was all excellent," said Williams, who added that the parents were happy with it and he's thinking they'll do it again next year.