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Transplant can get her kicks nearby
Martial Arts Gym in Indian Trail has contact classes
Jane Duckwall
Looks like Miami transplant Lenore Kerner won't have as much pent-up frustration as I thought. She can still fight traffic from the Arboretum area where she lives to a kickboxing class at Ultimate Gym on North Tryon Street in Charlotte if she wants. But reader Sean Griffin wants her to know she has options closer to home. Sean e-mailed me after Lenore's quest for a kickboxing site was featured last week. "You mention a school on North Tryon Street in Charlotte, yet we are right here in Union County," he said. Sean owns Martial Arts Gym in Indian Trail, which offers the kind of solid-contact-making kickboxing Lenore said she missed. In addition to American kickboxing, which uses punches and kicks, the gym offers a mixed martial arts program that combines kickboxing with "throws, takedowns and ground-fighting techniques," according to the gym's Web site, www.magym.net.	Sean, who moved to the area from Massachusetts in 1992, has been studying martial arts for 20 years, is a fourth-degree (yondan) black belt in Kempo karate, and has studied kickboxing in Thailand and Japan. He is the N.C. representative for the International Kickboxing Federation -- Point Kickboxing, "the largest kickboxing organization in the world," he said. I'm glad he let me know. Like most newcomers, I need others to tell me about the many opportunities Union County has to offer. Reprinted with permission: Charlotte Observer December 20, 2008


Martial arts skills showcased at SVHS
By Jillian Leamy Correspondent
Indian Trail - Feet and fists wer flying Saturday at a martial arts tournament in Indian Trail that drew hundreds of competitors and spectators. Sean Griffin, head instructor of Griffin's Martial Arts Gym, organized the Carolina Computer Networking 2007 Spring Tournament, which took place in the gym at Sun Valley High School Saturday afternoon and had about 300 attendees. Alliance Jiu Jitsu of Charlotte also held a ground fighting and grappling competition at the tournament, but Union County competitors and fans came out in force to watch Griffin's students and visiting schools compete in traditional katas (set routines that display skill level), self-defense techniques and continuous sparring.	While the Karate-only kata and self-defense competitions were traditional and fun for fans to watch, thecontinuous sparring portion of the event, in which Karate and kickboxing were used, stole the show and brought many spectators to their feet. The gym floor was set up with mats, and head, foot, chest and shin gear was required of all fighting competitors, who also wore special gloves and mouth guards. Because of the level of precaution taken, fighters were free to hit hare and fast - and there was no shortage of speedy moves and whooping blows. Fighters ranged in age from 6 to 35, with child, youth, and adult divisions. Boxing gloves, which were provided by Griffin, varied in weight from 10 to 16 ounces. Younger competitors displayed a lot of passion if not an abundance of skill, while the young adult advanced divisions had fans and family members wincing from the level of contact displayed. American rules, which allows punches and kicks only above the bel, and the less strict Muay Thai rules, which allow leg kicks, knee blows, grabbing and clinching, were the two forms advanced students used when fighting. Dr. Scott Sweeney of Indian Trail, who's 17 year old son Evan won second place in the Advanced Muay Thai Rules division, said that practicing karate and kickboxing has had a huge impact on Evan's life. "Karate and kickboxing have given him great confidence and the ability to tackle life battles as they come," Sweeney said. Evan's brawl with first place winner Scott Childs, 17, of Indian Trail, was a high point	in the tournament, and the speed and severity of blows the two teens exchanged drew gasps from the crowd. The heat was really on when the adults took to the ring, especially in the Heavy Weight bout between Seth Watson, 35, of Monroe, who is a student of Griffin's, and Henry Tyson, 34, who represented Black Belt USA of Charlotte. The two men faced off for two rounds in which they exchanged punches and kicks to the body and head in an effort to prove they are the best, but Tyson was the victor after throwing a number of kicks and one or two right crosses that caught Watson off guard. Griffin, who came to Sun Valley early in the day with his wife, Karen, to set up food stands, lay down mats and prepare trophies, said that he could not have asked for a better day. "I think things went really well," Griffin said. "The fighters did a great job, and the venue was perfect." When asked if the tournament, which is in it's second year, will return in 2008, the Karate expert and martial arts instructor smiled, nodded his head and said, "Oh yeah." Event sponsors included: Carolina Computer Networking, AutoBell Carwash, The Bold Look, BP Printing & Copying, Express Sign Works, Jed E. Levitas, D.M.D., PA, Martial Arts Gym, Rocky River Family Physicians, Quist Allstate Insurance and Titan Technology Partners. Indian Trail Trader May 23, 2007

Self-confidence through martial arts
By Jillian Leamy Correspondent
Indian Trail -- For many, martial arts are just something seen on television and in the movies that involve choreographed fight sequences with sharp sound effects, lots of yelling and close-up shots of the fighter's bloody faces. But in reality, the study of martial arts is much more than that and carries a deep emotional and spiritual past steeped in tradition. Griffin's Martial Arts Gym is one local location that offers classes to people of all ages and skill levels. Classes are offered in many disciplines including boxing, kickboxing, karate, and tae kwon do. Located in Gregory Plaza of Old Monroe Road, the gym allows students to burn a few calories while taking out some frustrations, all the while learning how to better defend themselves. Sean Griffin, owner and chief instructor of the gym, holds a third degree black belt in Kanshin Ryu Kempo Karate, as well as a black belt in American Kickboxing. "Goal setting and self discipline are the largest benefits I see in the kids at my gym," Griffin said. "These skills translate very well into both school and home." Griffin, who served as a United States Army Intelligence Officer and received his BA in Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, has traveled the world to study martial arts. "Many of the adults who take Kempo karate here at the gym are interested in self defense, while kickboxing puts a greater emphasis on fitness," said Griffin, who has studied karate for 17 years.	Nick Parker a junior at Sun Valley High School, began taking kickboxing classes at Griffin's Martial Arts Gym in his freshman year said he enjoys the gym because it allows him to fight and be active. "Kickboxing is a great workout, and Mr. Griffin has a lot to teach," he said. "Taking the classes makes you do more than you would working out alone, and gives you time to meet your personal goals." Classes at the gym take place during the day, night, and on weekends. Summer camps and after school programs are also available. Parker, who trains between school and work, enjoys the atmosphere at the gym. "There is a lot of structure here, but students at the gym are like a family." Students taking classes at the gym are encouraged to "test", which is a formal evaluation of skills learned in order to move up in rank or belt level. Tournaments are also held at the gym frequently for all ages and styles to allow friends and family members to watch the students spar and show their techniques. The next major tournament will be held on Nov. 4 at Indian Trail Elementary, and is being sponsored by Bostic Properties, LLC. The International Kickboxing Federation has sanctioned the event. "Studying martial arts is a great way for people to set goals for themselves, and then meet or exceed those goals. It is also a wonderful way to stay fit and healthy," Griffin said.	Parker, who lives close to the gym, plans to keep training in kickboxing. "Training at the gym offers so much variety. There is so much to learn, and so much the instructors have to teach. Every class offers something new. You certainly won't find yourself getting bored." To learn more about Griffin's Martial Arts Gym, visit them on the internet at www.magym.net, or call (704)488-3908. Reprinted with permission: Indian Trail Trader November 8, 2006


Martial arts event draws crowd to Indian Trail Elementary School
By Jillian Leamy Correspondent
Indian Trail - Last month the Town of Indian Trail hosted more than 150 martial arts competitors and enthusiasts for Griffin's Martial Arts Gym Invitational andthe Braza's Brazilian Open, held in the auditorium of Indian Trail Elementary. Karate and kickboxing were the main focus of the Martial Arts Gym tournament, where students from ages 6 through adult competed in self-defense, forms and continuous sparring. The Brazilian Open held sparring competitions in the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as wrestling. Sean Griffin, owner-operator of Griffin's Martial Arts Gym and Professor Luis Togno of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu of Charlotte collaborated to bring the tournament to Indian Trail. Both men were pleased with the performance of the competitors as well as the turnout. "In Charlotte, Alliance Jiu-Jitsu has had a hard time finding adequate venues for tournaments and events. Indian Trail was very supportive, and we are very thankful," said Togno, who came from his native Brazil to bring Jujitsu to the Charlotte area. Togno's team from Alliance took home the team trophy from the Brazilian Open, which was sponsored by Braza's Brazilian Grill in Charlotte. Griffin was also quite happy with the event. "The tournament was a huge success and we look forward to the next one," he said. Griffin recently received his 4th degree black belt in the art of Kanshin Ryu Kempo Karate.	The Martial Arts Gym Invitational was sponsored by Bold Look, Bostic Properties LLC, Churchill Transport Group, Xyience and others. Among the competitors were Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu artist Lory Guerrero who represented Alliance. Guerrero was one of the only females to participate in the tournament. "This is something I do for myself. Jiu-Jitsu is both challenging and intense, and the training makes you a better person," said Guerrero, who is originally from Buffalo, NY. Sean Watson, who won first place sparring in the Martial Arts Gym Adult Heavyweight Division, has a close relationship to the art he practices. "To me, the martial arts are more of a way of life as opposed to a means to an end," said Watson, who also won the $100 cash for his first place karate performance. American Rules division competitor John-Carl Long, believes that competing can send a message to other martial artists. "When you compete, you want to show the association that you are affiliated with what you are made of, and make your master look good." For more information on both Gyms, as well as pictures and a list of winners, visit Griffin's Martial Arts Gym Web site at www.magym.net or Alliance Jiu-Jitsu of Charlotte's site at www.allianceofcharlotte.com.
	Reprinted with permission: Indian Trail Trader December 6, 2006