While the accuracy of the snowfall from the April Fool’s dumping we experienced in these parts might be questioned – you can find reports ranging from 20cm to 30 cm (eight inches to a foot or so) on line – suffice to say it was a lot of snow for the first day of the month that is supposed to welcome spring in northern Ontario.

It wasn’t, however, anywhere near enough snow to deter to very devoted practitioners of the martial arts in the region.

With almost 150 participants coming in from across the north but also representing clubs in Québec, Ottawa and Kitchener, the Nickel City Martial Arts Championships at Cambrian College managed to somehow run without a hitch – despite the challenges of the weather.

A total of eight Grand Champion trophies were awarded, half of which are making their way to Valley KMAC (Valley Korean Martial Arts Centre), with Megan Richardson (Women’s Black Belt) leading a group that also featured Martin Courchesne (Youth Black Belt), Chris Pagnutti (Men’s Colour Belt) and Lucinda Trudel (Youth Colour Belt).

Capturing bronze in forms and silver in both weapons and sparring, Megan Richardson topped her division when it came to the self-defence discipline, the choreographed presentation where you work in tandem with a partner, defending certain moves that he/she is about to make.

“My partner flew and he fell exactly the way that I wanted him to,” explained Richardson, a 21 year-old who has been involved with martial arts since the age of eight. “That really fueled me for the rest of the competition.”

This outcome was hardly a given, especially as one gets a little older and the chemistry that develops in the self-defence pairing may fall by the wayside. “I haven’t had consistent partners in a few years – but there are guys from my club that are happy to help,” said Richardson.

“If you have the same partner all the time, you know how they are going to fall, you know how they react – and they know you as well. It makes a big difference to have someone who knows you.”

Still, there is an innate camaraderie that exists in this sport, a bi-product at times that students can become teachers – or at least teaching assistants – at relatively young ages. Richardson was just 13 years old when she started as a helper.

“I was so happy to see my students compete,” she said. “A lot of them were nervous, and for some, this was their first time competing. I try and do my best to set an example for them, but even I get nervous when I go to compete.”

“But that’s one of the great things about martial arts: it teaches us, teaches us to have confidence,” Richardson continued. “It was nice to see that they (my students) have grown, but I have also grown as a teacher.”

Men’s Black Belt Grand Champion and half of the family ownership group that is home to Marceau Martial Arts in North Bay, the 14 athlete assembly that made their way to Sudbury and were named as Best Supporting School, Nicholas Marceau knows exactly where Richardson is coming from.

“There is a lot of pride that comes from watching my students succeed, especially some of our younger black belts,” suggested the 19 year old who was told that he took he first steps on to the martial arts mat having just celebrated his third birthday. “I spend a lot of time working with them, so there’s a huge sense of pride, for sure.”

That said, Marceau also noted that there is an ancillary benefit, one which actually can help him reach new heights as an athlete. “When I am spending the day either refereeing events or cheering on my younger students, it definitely takes my mind off the nerves,” he said. “It’s actually easier on me.”

While Marceau is proficient in pretty much all aspects of the martial arts (he actually competed in all five of the black belt offerings on this day), it’s in sparring where the young man truly shines.

“Sparring is my favourite, by a mile,” he said. “It’s always been my bread and butter. It’s something I have been fortunate enough to be successful at, thanks in large part to the training from my dad who is well-known for his sparring as well.”

“And I have developed some quickness and speed from playing multiple sports, especially in the legs,” Marceau added. “Running in track, jumping in volleyball and basketball – it helps to be able to move quickly, especially when your technique is already there.”

Rounding out the octet of Grand Champions were Aime Beaudette (Women’s Colour Belt – Dowling KMAC), Judy Ann Lafreniere (Teen Colour Belt – Karate Shokotan – Gracefield, PQ) and Denis Houle (Ginzo 35+ Black Belt – Sudbury KMAC) – the latter having returned to his childhood sport after stepping away for about two decades or so.

“My kids were getting into it and I thought it was good to do it as a family activity,” noted the 38 year-old teacher by profession. Interestingly enough, it seems that the preferences in terms of the specific martial arts disciplines of choice are as unique and varied as the competitors themselves.

“Weapons are my favourites, especially the bo staff; there is just something about it,” said Houle.

“Having that weapon in your hand gives you that extra sense of power and spinning with the bo staff and such, there is that extra showmanship, which is always fun.”

Originally trained under the Goju-Ryu Japanese based form of karate as a youngster, one of the many exposed to the teachings via the Benoit Martial Arts Studio in Sudbury, Houle has now learned to integrate elements of the two different streams in which he possesses a black belt.

“With forms, everyone kind of makes it their own and I think I bring a little bit more of that harder style that I developed as a kid to Korean martial arts,” said Houle.

Organizer Christian Fortin from KMAC noted that beyond the Nickel City tournament, a large number of the same participants who took part in the competition at Cambrian College will also make their way to Elliot Lake on April 22nd, site of the Northern Ontario Martial Arts Championship, returning to Cambrian on April 29th for the Canadian Budoka Championships.