Jiu-Jitsu Program
Lockport Students win 2006 National Jiu Jitsu Championships
On July 15, 2006, Lockport’s USA Self Defense Centers Jiu Jitsu Team competed in the United States Jiu Jitsu Championships held at Columbus State University in Akron, Ohio.
The Jiu Jitsu tournament is broken up into two divisions. One is called “Duo” which is a pre-set series of Self Defense techniques. This consists of teams of two boys, two girls and mixed one boy and one girl. They are judged by National and International judges. The second part of the tournament is the “Kumite” or fighting which consists of three parts, kicking and punching with light contact, judo throws and Jiu Jitsu grappling. This tournament is the qualifier to compete in the Jiu Jitsu International World Championships to be held in November in Rotterdam, Holland. All the Gold medal winners qualified to participate in the World Championship.
In the youth Duo Team competition, in the Duo mixed Novice division Ashley DiPasquale and Anthony Orsi won the Gold medal, Erica Striffler and Matt Austin won 3rd place Bronze, Jessica Grimes and Andy Edwards won 4th place and Madeline Chiarella and Alex Fogle won 5th place. In Duo boys Novice Alex Fogle and Dustin Washburn won the Gold. In Duo girls Novice Brittany Morgan and Ashley DiPasquale won Gold.
In the Intermediate Duo Mixed Division Krissy DiPasquale and Peter Heim won Gold, Amanda Joyce and Zach Cox won Silver and Hilliary Chiarella and Tommy Furlong won Bronze. In the Intermediate boys Duo Peter Heim and Tommy Furlong won Gold, and Jake Cox and Zach Cox won Silver. In the Intermediate Girls Duo Krissy DiPasquale and Erica Striffler won Gold, Amanda Joyce and Hilliary Chirella won Silver.
In the Adult Duo Division Josh Thomas and Joel Santana won Silver.
In the Kumite (Fighting) Divisions: Girls 10 and under Ashley DiPasquale won Silver. Girls 11 to 15 Krissy DiPasquale won Gold. Boys fighting 12 and under lightweight, Tommy Furlong won Gold, 17 and under middleweight, Bryan Torres won Gold. In Boys 17 and under lightweight Dillon Pinkham 4th place and Bryan Torres 5th place. In Boys 17 and under middleweight: Joel Santana won Gold. Finally, in Adult kumite middleweight, Josh Thomas won Gold.
In the Kubodo (Weapons) Division Novice: Ashley DiPasquale won Gold, Krissy DiPasquale won Silver, and Brittany Morgan won Bronze. Intermediate division: Dalton Maska won Silver, Peter Heim won Bronze and Tommy Furlong won 4th place.
Each of the students who won gold medals are eligible to represent the USA at the International Jiu JitsuWorld Games in Rotterdam, Holland. The parents, instructors and community congratulate them all.