20- The Canadian ChampionTuesday, September 14, 1999 2Instilling confidence in youths stili the biggest high for jiu-jitsu' s Bob Kranstz By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion W Bob Kranstz says he's just as passionate about martial arts now as he ever was. But after a quarter century running the Milton School of Jiu-Jitsu, it's time to pass off the reins to someone with an equal enthusiasm for the sport. By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Boy, how times have changed. For the better part of the '90s, Milton and Georgetown resided at opposite ends of the Ontario Provincial Jr. A League - a trend that not long ago seemed without limit. But if recent results are any indication, the gigantic gap that once existed between these two teams has been all but closed. Further proof of the Raiders' emergence - and legitimacy as league contenders -- was delivered aI Gordon Alcott Arena Saturday. Led by dynamite duo Stace Page and Jeff Seeds, Georgetown battled the Merchants to a 6-6 exhibition tie. This snirited showdown - plus one a week earlier that was every bit as competitive and entertaining - has no doubt laid the initial groundwork for one of the most anticipated season series in many years for Milton. Fans feed fire "It's going to be a wonderful rivalry," said Milton head coach Marty Williamson. "I think it'll be even better than the one we've had with Bramalea. They (the Blues) have always been strong, but now Georgetown brings a great team plus an intense fan following, which makes it that much more interesting." This assessment accurately depicted the proceedings Saturday - where over the lat two periods, once the visiting •see NEMESIS on page 21 "The next 25 years belong to Darlene .(Kelsh)," said the renowned instructor, who handed down control of the local club to his daughter dur- ing silver anniversary celebra- tions recently. "lIl still be every bit as involved, but now she's in charge." Kelsh - a four-time world champion, who'a now retired from competition due to a number of recurring injuriea over the pat few yeara admits she has some big ahoes to filI, but that one lesson in particular should serve her well in this new challenge. "The most important thing my dad taught me was to per- severe. If there was ever a per- son who neyer quit, it wvas himo," she remarked. Not'that there were many times when he wanted to - in fact the club's founder, a sixth degree black belt, can't recall a single night where he didn't look forward to teaching. Kranstz said, "I promised myself in the beginning that when I wasn't up to going to a clsass, it was time to quit. I guess that just neyer happened. I always get something out of it. When you're able to take a shy kid and give them confi- dence, you just can't put a dol- lar value on that type of reward." A world champion for many years and now head coach for the national team, he said the club has enjoyed steady enrol- ment since its early days on the top floor of the Royal Canadian Legion Hall to its present at 310 Main Street. This, despite little advertising or promotion over the years. "I'd been teaching at the local high school for six months before we first opened Darlene Kelsh and we got about 60 students right away." While Kranstz' passion for martial arts appears unparal- leled by most in the field, he describes his club as simply a "hobby that pays for itself." He said the school has main- tained steady success in part because it has been his part- time passion - rather than a full-time business. "Not to slight other martial arts clubs, but by kecping it a part-time thing we have some luxuries they don't. We don't have to charge any extra fees or do any hard selling," he said. While seeing his students strive and achieve national and international success has cer- tainly been rewarding, Kranstz says the past few years have brought added satisfaction - as he has watched both his daughter and grandchildren embrace the sport he's been associated with for more than half bis life. "Seeing Daniel (his ll-year- old grandson) test his skills and fight his fear is especially rewarding," explained Kranstz. The Milton School of Jiu- Jitsu underwent renovations last month and is now open for classes. To find out more about the club, call 878-1074. 2000 *laxes ONLY '3500. DOWN ' s- s s s à Bcns4Smas. Ie~ ftlt E ~4uIvuy Snedc86AOOkm~. %1O* ?PnltO Dy UMAMAM rAiNE~ Milton School 0f Jiu-Jitsu's Bob Kranstz, seen here grappling wlth grandson Daniel, recently celebrated 25 years running the local club. He's now set to hand over the reins ta daughter Dariene Kelsh. vRaiders looking like real thing