ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, November 20, 1996 TAG: 9611200025
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Community Sports
DATELINE: DUBLIN
SOURCE: BILL RAY STAFF WRITER
Four months ago, a group of martial arts competitors formed an elite team that drew its membership from around the New River Valley.
The group's goal was to compete on a national level and perform well. The team did so well at U.S Nationals last April in Winston-Salem, N.C., that the U.S. Jujitsu Association asked them to play host to the Virginia State Jujitsu championships.
"The main purpose of the New River martial arts team was to take the best people from the area to nationals," team president James McLanahan said. "It was a big honor just to have been asked to host this event."
That competition was held Saturday at Pulaski Middle School and showcased some of the best martial arts talent in the region; 106 competitors from seven states competed in the event, with several local artisans taking home medals.
"In this competition, you can use any form of martial arts," McLanahan said. "It is sort of a gentleman's ultimate challenge."
Although the event was billed as the Virginia State Jujitsu Championship, anything from karate to judo to tae kwan do was acceptable.
"The main difference in the disciplines are where they originated," McLanahan said. "Karate, for example, is straightforward linear, whereas judo has smooth and circular motions."
In his division, McLanahan came away with a silver medal. His lone loss came to a Dan Glover, a professional kick boxer and movie stuntman.
Lee Gardener, a student at Radford University, made a good showing as well, taking first in the women's competition. Two other athletes, Tim Rife and Grant Austin took home bronze in their divisions.
Now that the team is becoming more established, McLanahan, who runs the martial arts program at the Pulaski YMCA, says he expects interest to pick up. But he also adds that not everyone is martial art material.
"Parents will bring their kids in," he said, "and ask us to teach them discipline. You can tell just by how a kid talks if he is going to stick with it. If all he talks about it fighting, that is not the right attitude."
Around this time of year, after the high school football regular season, enrollment in classes generally picks up, he said. Of every 50 potential students who sign up and begin training, he says, usually only one will continue.
This is because most people take the wrong approach to the sport. Rather than try to master an art, they see it as a way to be "the big bully," McLanahan said.
Team member and black belt Rick Antenton agrees.
"The thing to remember is that it is a sport," Antenton said. "Granted, the techniques will serve you well as self defense, but when we go into a tournament we all walk out friends. The goal is not to hurt anyone."
If you have an idea for a story or note about recreational sports, call Bill Ray at 381-1664 in Montgomery County or Radford or 1-800-346-1234, extension 664 elsewhere or fax to 381-1656.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB