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The Canadian Champion, Friday, December 10, 1999--23 $ LUMBERVILLE Ai sizes 4gEO A:1 types 500 Nobody Bouts Lumnb.vtiI. 315 DRONtE ST. S.. MILTON uSiblings shine at event By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Milton's Laing siblings deliv- ered a migbty one-two punch in jiu jitSu competitifln recent- ly. Or rather the young pair offered a one- two throw or hold, since those are their strengtbs in this form of martial arts. That's what won tbemn top honours St the Milton Sport Jiu Jitsu Tournament November 28. Twelve-year-old Gary and lO-year-old Shannon eacb took first place at the local event, in whicb competitors of equal size and belt level attempted to best their oppositi .on with a combination of spamrng and grýppling. The brother and sister act specialize in the latter and both tinished off their final round rivais witb an authoritative thmow. Said Shannon, "I like competing and knowing how to detend myselt."- Sensei Bob Kranstz says she's had a competitive spark since stepping foot in the club five years ago. For her big brother - who began at the same time - that drive didn't corne until later. "Gary's really started coming into his own in the past year or so," commented the longtime local instructor. "He bas improved immensely." Evidence of that was seen over the weekcnd when the preteen passed the test for bis red belt - which is the equivalent of a brown belt for adults. Gary is quite pleased with this accom- plisbment. and with what jiu jitsu has done for him over the past haîf-decade. 'It' s taught me a lot about respect and good sportsmanship," he said. It's also presented bis famîly with the dilemma of just wbere to put ail of his and Shannon's numerous medals and trophies. This year alune the siblings have won at least a dozen awards a piece - haîf of wbicb are for finisbing tirst. "They've just got s0 many," said mom Linda Laing of ber cbildren's hardware baul. "It's (jiu jitsu) done a lot for tbem in terms of teaching respect, discipline and wbat it takes to succeed." Also taking lirst at last montb's competi- tion were Sean Ferguson and Justine Smith. Daniel Kelsh struck silver wbile coming away witb third-place efforts were Brady Currie, Kevin lwasa-Madge and Aimee Knoll. Grimsby's Red Griffin eamed the title witb 14 medals. Milton finisbed fourtb. Photos by GRAHAM PAINE Shannon and Gary Laing (above) added to their extensive trophy collection recently at the Milton Sport Jiu-Jitsu Tournarnent. At Ieft, they playfully grapple with each other - but they're ai business when it cornes to real competition. Unbeaten run at 10 games Merchants deep-six Blues' By STEVE LeBLANO The Champion The Merchants probabiy could bave been excused for a lesa than inspiring performance at Victoria Park Mrena Tuesday. After ail, tisey had just gutted out a major weck- end sweep over Georgetown - and regained sole possession of first place in the proceas. Not to mention that tbey'd been going bard for tise past few weeks, and eitber a tie or bass wouidn't bave done mucb to jeopardize tiseir isold on top spot. But Marty Williamson's charges bave retin- quisbed their lofty position as tise West Conference front-runners once already this year, and aren't about to, take suy chances witb their lead tItis ime around. Or so it seemed, judging by their efforts againat Bramalea. Milton was unable to deiiver mucis in tise way of quality sconing chances, but their attention bo detail and overail work etbic was more. than enougis to beat tise Blues 4-I1. This was their sixts straight victory and extended their uniseaten streak to, 10 gaines. The Mercisants' Win, wbicb pushed tbemn to 22-4- 1-3 and opened Up a six-point bulge on Georgetown, was highliglsted by a three-point night froin Ian Malcolmn. The 20-year-old sniper deposited the winning goal a mere 21 seconds into tise middle stanza, fin- .ishing off a tenific feed froin linemate Rob Martin. Malcolm also assisted on goals one and three - by Martin and rookie Richard Peverley. Matt Belanger sealed the deal with seven minutes remaining, scoring on tise powerplay sud chasing star netininder Nathan Marsters from the cage. Milton's Joei Cameron was steady between the pipes, making 20 saves and picking up an assisi - bis tbird this season - on Malcolm's gaine winner. Sinking Bramalea's loe tally was Alex Ward. Tuesday's conteat was punctuated by a baif-dozen fights in tise final fraine - a record bigis since the two sides squared off in a bencis clearing brawl on March 10, 1996. It also brougist an end 10 su 1l- gaine point-getting streak by scoring leader Pil --TON LIMITED NEW MEMBERSXQHIPS AVMILABLE, e Squash Court e Exercise equipment e Cable * Lounge e*Sauna e 24 Hour Access FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL: 878-0089 Ask for Lynn Til FCANADIAN CI 1AN11110N FRl[)Aý 10, 1999