KENNEWICK — On Saturday, students at Freewind Martial Arts Studio traveled to Kennewick for the Battle on the Columbia tournament. According to Brandi Guertin, manager and instructor at Freewind, tournaments like these help gauge progress. 

“Proud of everybody that showed up and competed,” Brandi said. “Martial arts is an ever-learning, evolving art and when we go to tournaments, we get to see what some of the other arts have to offer in their style of performance, and sometimes we can identify where a tool or a technique might work well with something that we do as well.” 

The studio had six students compete in the tournament, each having success in their competitions. Serjio Madrigales, whom Guertin called Freewind’s tournament warrior, came first in weapons and sparring. He also came second in form and was named a Junior Grand Champion for the youth group.  

“His weapon form was totally sharp, and I watched him compete for junior grand champion and win. So that was a really good highlight of the tournament ... he's just so driven and dedicated, and he puts in 110% effort,” Brandi said.  

Jessie Young also took home the Junior Grand Championship for the adult group. She placed first in weapons, sparring and form. According to Young, this was her fifth tournament and the first time she’s placed first. She feels great about her improvements, starting with zero points in her first ever tournament to finishing in first place on Saturday.  

“That was surprising. I'm pretty confident in my open-hand form and my weapons form. I practice those a lot, but sparring has never been my strength, because I get a little nervous ... but it's been cool to see my growth over the years, and cool to see how I've improved in that,” Young said.  

Jacob Guertin and Matthias Kalmbach were both runners-up for the Junior Grand Champion titles in their groups. Jacob placed first in weapons, then second in forms and sparring. Kalmbach placed the same as Jacob.  

For Brandi, watching her son reminded her of an important aspect of martial arts, she said. 

“The competitive mom mind was disappointed because he didn't put his 100% best effort into the sparring match. However, he reminded me that not all competitions are about winning. Sometimes it's just about having fun, and this is true. If you're not having fun, why compete?” she said.  

The students at Freewind hung out together throughout the day and supported each other when they were not competing. According to Brandi, this level of camaraderie is important, especially for newer students who are building confidence.  

“It feels really good to know when you're going out to do something individually, because it is an individual performance, you have your team behind you, and every one of them is there to help you, encourage you and to keep you focused on the positive attributes of competition,” she said.  

Sara Byrd also competed in the tournament and placed third in all three categories. Megan Lara placed second in weapons and third in sparring. Brandi praised Lara for her dedication and ability to fight through her nerves. She said it was her first tournament under the Freewind banner.  

“I was just so very proud of her because she faced that anxiety and that fear, and she did her very best, and she competed, and she placed. That speaks volumes when you step out of your comfort zone, and you do something that is scary, and you face that fear and you come out on the positive end of that,” Brandi said.  

Brandi said the tournament can also serve as a reunion of sorts with the other schools that attend. According to her, students from various schools get to know each other from attending multiple tournaments across the state. A bit of community is found when they share their experiences from the dojos and who they send to these tournaments.  

She expressed a lot of pride for her students’ performances and their ability to overcome any anxieties they may have. She said this was Freewind’s fifth time attending the Battle on the Columbia tournament. 

“Watching everyone overcome those nerves and coming out on that positive end as a group, as a team and as an individual, really boosts each person's confidence and abilities that much further, and it helps encourage them to keep going, wanting to do more,” Brandi said.  

    Freewind Martial Arts Studio students gather for a group photo at the Battle on the Columbia tournament in Kennewick. Six students competed in the daylong tournament in sparring, weapons and stick sparring.
  

    Serjio Madrigales sparring for Freewind Martial Arts. Madrigales won the Junior Grand Championship for the youth group at the Battle on the Columbia tournament.
  

    Freewind’s Matthias Kalmbach, left, and Jessie Young, right, cheer on their peers during the Battle on the Columbia tournament in Kennewick. Instructor Brandi Guertin said martial arts may be an individual performance, but it helps to have a team of people supporting them.
  

    Jessie Young, left, Megan Lara, middle, and Sara Byrd, right, watch the forms competition at the Battle on the Columbia tournament. Each student placed in the top three, with Young winning the Junior Grand Championship in her group.