CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan -- Two combatants face off in a padded circle. Each executes a flurry of lead hand jabs and rear hand punches, some landing solidly and others missing, causing a whirlwind of fists. Bystanders ring the fight, yelling out encouragement to the fighters.
One combatant backs off a pace and attempts a rear leg kick to the torso of his opponent. His opponent grabs the exposed leg and executes the counter technique, taking him to matted floor.
This wasn’t a bar fight; it was a scene from the Recreational Marine Corps Martial Arts Tournament at the Camp Kinser Sports Complex April 9.
The tournament gave fighters in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program the opportunity to execute their skill in a controlled environment, said Master Sgt. Jerald Cleveland, a black belt MCMAP instructor.
“This was the first time a MCMAP tournament was hosted on any of the three southern camps,” said Bob Gorski, a Camp Kinser sports coordinator.
Marines, tan thru brown belt, competed in separate weight divisions throughout the tournament.
There are a lot of Marines out walking around wearing belts, said Sgt. Demitrick Allen with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. This tournament gave them the opportunity to prove they deserve those belts and have kept up the skills signified by those belts, Allen said.
Marines used the tournament to determine which techniques they need to improve on in case they are ever in a genuine fight, said some participants.
“I still have a lot more work to do,” said Pfc. Jay Bethram with Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF, about his fighting skills.
Participants fighting in the tournament were guided, coached and judged by black belt instructors.
“A lot of the time, we don’t get to see the end result of the methods we teach,” said Cleveland. “We see that they are on the right track with what they learn and that encourages us further to train these Marines.”
Matches were judged by manipulation of the opponent, ring dominance, submission attempts and takedowns.
Matches were organized so Marines could fight using the skill sets taught to them, said Cleveland.
For more information on the Recreational MCMAP Tournament contact the Camp Kinser Marine Corps Community Services sports coordinator at 637-1869.