Thomas Griffin competes in a striking competition at Progressive Fighting Academy on March 7.
Beginner martial artists had a chance to test their abilities in a controlled setting this weekend. Progressive Fighting Academy (PFA) hosted a striking tournament in Lethbridge with three other gyms from Medicine Hat and Calgary on Saturday.
A striking tournament is different from other mixed martial arts competitions because the goal is to score points by landing punches and kicks, rather than trying to knock out an opponent. The focus is on sparring standing up and there are no takedowns or pushing allowed.
“We are trying to keep it nice and controlled, so people aren’t getting knocked out. Yes, they are going to get hit. It is like harder sparring with judges and officials, which is a nice chance for them to have that experience,” said Brad Wall, owner of PFA.
Cody Jerome, a professional kick-boxer who trains at PFA said the striking tournament can help inexperienced fighters get experience in being competitive with contact sports. Jerome has been kickboxing for eight years and holds three professional titles.
Wall took over PFA after training with the previous owner. He teaches various fighting styles and focuses on mixed martial arts. PFA hosts classes for kickboxing, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The academy invites fighters of all ages to train.
Wall said the competition on Saturday gave students an opportunity to see if they want to compete in the future in more intense tournaments.
“I don’t fight or anything — I’m pretty old. This is just something to test yourself where you are not going to get killed,” said Thomas Griffin, who trains at PFA. He sparred in the tournament.
Griffin is hesitant to fight in more intense competitions because he is 41-years-old, but got back into martial arts at PFA about two years ago — he said he used to train when he was in his 20’s.
“I’ll keep training until my legs tell me I can’t,” he said.
Last year PFA moved from its location above Lethbridge Fitness Club — Wall said the new location is more spacious and easier to train in. Though most students join for fitness, the academy provides amateur fighters an opportunity to compete.