Norman Yonkers' Karate Connection MMA hosted its Annual Hayastan Grappling Challenge recently at Fredonia High School. Approximately 300 divisional competitors attended the event.
There were competitors from North Carolina, Vermont, Tennessee, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, New York City and Canada.
In addition to the tournament, there was a seminar conducted by undefeated World Champion grappler, Gokor Chivichyan.
Article Photos
Submitted Photo
Pictured are some of the competitors from The Karate Connection and their wins. Tyler Mathew (second), Gabriel Metzger (first, first and second), Adam Sellari (second and second) Jose Rosario (first and second), Neil Cosico (first), Neil Ayuyao (second), Jayden Pritchard (first), Roan Kelly (first), Payton Glavey (first, first and second), Michael Benedict (second and third), Jacob Harvey (second and third), Jesse Andino (first and second), Connor Jakubowicz (third), Matthew Kehrer (third), Alyssa Kordon (third and third), Marcus Seastedt (second and seocnd), William Gilroy (first, third and third), Braden Wilkins (fourth and fourth), Jake Wilkins (third and third), Kyle Congdon (third and third), Adam Tucker (second), Tristan Moldenhauer (third and fourth) and Albert Chapa (first and second).
Chivichyan is an 8th degree Black Belt in Judo, a 6th degree Black Belt in Russian Sambo and a 6th degree Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu.
Norman Yonkers' Karate Connection holds two tournaments each year in Fredonia. The spring event is the New York State Grappling Championship, which was created by Sensei Yonkers in 2004. In the late summmer/early fall is the Hayastan Grappling Challenge which began in 2006.
Norman Yonkers is one of two instructors in New York State to be certified to teach under the Hayastan Grappling System of Gene Lebell and Gokor Chivichyan.
For information on grappling and mma training with Yonkers and Chivichyan, call 679-7685 for class schedules and seminar information. Also visit www.grapplingchallenge.com for everything related to the Hayastan tournament circuit.
