Like many first-time events, the UAA Judo and Jiu Jitsu Club's combined judo and jiu jitsu tournament was a learning experience for tournament director Jacob Dempsey.
The Saturday event at Wendler Middle School was smaller than planned -- partly because one club boycotted the tournament over an insurance issue -- and the tournament started half an hour late. But Dempsey said it went smoothly once competitors got out on the mats.
"After that it went nicely," said Dempsey, who owns a second degree black belt in judo. "Some of the (competitors) were surprised when the judo competitors lost (against) the jiu jitsu competitors and vice versa. It was a really nice mix of people that took the first, second and third places. It helped people see these are very similar (disciplines)."
The tournament featured nearly 40 participants from 11 clubs throughout Alaska. The judo and jiu jitsu competitors competed against each other using rules from both martial arts disciplines. Dempsey said it the first time this type of tournament has been held in Alaska.
The insurance issue arose because Dempsey went with FL Dean & Associates for the tournament's insurance instead of the more commonly used USA Judo insurance.
"Normally for the judo, we get insurance through USA Judo," Dempsey said. "With USA Judo it's significantly cheaper, but all the participants have to be members of USA Judo."
Many of the jiu jitsu competitors, however, weren't members of USA Judo.
Despite the hurdles, Dempsey said the UAA club plans to host the tournament again.
"The participants today had a great time," he said. "I think there were enough people that came, experienced it, loved it. It did well to bring the two communities together."
Saturday's results
Judo
Senior men over 220 pounds – 1) Michael Pitaro, 2) Jonathan Hazelton. Senior men under 198 – 1) Emelio Medina, 2) Nic Herron-Webb, 3) Aiden Jolley. Senior men under 161 – 1) Chris Kukay, 2) Emilio Medina. Senior men under 132 – 1) Cooper Stec, 2) Aeron Bundok. U-18 boys – 1) Aiden Jolley, 2) Cooper Stec, 3) Aeron Bundok. Senior women under 145 – 1) Michelle Young, 2) Ashley Johnson, 3) Jennifer Hunter. U-13 coed – 1) Connor Rimando, 2) Branwen Keenan, 3) Dylan Herkstroeter.
Jiu jitsu
Senior men over 220 – 1) Michael Pitaro, 2) Brett Wregglesworth, 3) Chuck Brown. Senior men under 198 – 1) Nic Herron-Webb, 2) Thomas Idle, 3) Aiden Jolley. Senior men under 161 – 1) Chris Kukay, 2) Emilio Medina. Senior men under 132 – 1) Cooper Sec, 2) Aeron Bundok. Beginners men under 198 – 1) Madison Lorentzen, 2) Brendan Stassel, 3) Aiden Jolley. Beginners men over 220 – 1) Greg Steele, 2) Jonathan Hazelton. U-18 boys – 1) Aiden Jolley, 2) Aeron Bundok, 3) Jonathan Royce. Senior women under 145 – 1) Michelle Young, 2) Ashley Johnson, 3) Jennifer Huinter. U-15 coed – 1) Nick Sousa, 2) Ria Wilderbmuth.