Page 37 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 76

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #76 March 2019 37

Brought to you by Rookez-Edge

By Jim Riddell, Rookie of the Month
Seaway Karate Club
Camilla Benton

Age: 9 Grade: 4

Focus Mitts School: Ste Lucie Home Town: Lunenburg
Camilla Benton was chosen by her Typhoons’ coach
Andrea Francis as Rookie of the Month because
Focus mitts are now one of the most common types of striking Sports Energy
of her hard work throughout the season. “She has
pads that are being used in karate training today. The history of determination to learn and to improve. This is Camilla’s
first year playing hockey. If you saw her play now, you

focus mitts remains a bit vague and there doesn’t appear to be any Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
landmark patent on them either. At one time or another everyone would have no idea she has never played hockey until
this year,” says Coach Francis.
from ancient Muay Thai practitioners to Rocky Marciano to Bruce Camilla plays forward and loves to drive the net. As a
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Lee to Mexican boxing trainers have been given credit for their
result, she has scored many important goals this season. “Camilla has also played
invention. Muay Thai training in the 1700’s often involved wearing net for us this year,” says Francis. “Our team rotates goalies, and she proved to have
a foot tong or slipper on the hands to help absorb the force of kicks. a very natural ability once her turn came. She has done such a great job that she was
Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
The first padded boxing glove was invented in 1743, and boxing asked to play a few games in net for our play-offs.”
trainers have been known to wear them backwards to use as a crude According to Coach Francis, Camilla is a very happy-go-lucky kind of girl as she
is ready to take on whatever her coach throws at her and she does so with pride and
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focus mitt. When and where this practice began is anyone’s guess,
maximum effort.
but one the first film footage was trainer Charlie Goldman working
with former heavyweight boxing champion, Rocky Marciano, NOW OFFERING
Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
(boxing career – 1947-56) sometime in the late 1940’s. In 1956, the IN HOUSE
first actual focus mitts appeared in Britain, brought by a Hungarian
HEAT
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boxing team that was there to compete. The mitts were a primitive, PRESSING For Team & Corporate
hard, flat, circular type of design but the British trainers could see Sports Energy
their value and took it from there. Bruce Lee made them popular NEEDS
Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
with their appearance in some of his martial art movies in the 1960’s.
Focus mitts really began to catch on in the 70’s when Emanuel 400 Second St. W. Cornwall
Sports Energy
Stewart, of Detroit’s famed Kronk boxing gym was often seen using 613-938-0001 • www.rookez-edge.com
them with his fighters. Stewart, who at the time was working with
several future champs including Thomas Hearns, Milton McCrory, Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
and Hilmer Kinty. Boxing trainers deserve the credit for the design
and development of the pads as well as implementing many of the
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drills that we copy in the martial arts.
Focus mitts first began to appear in karate dojo’s in the late 80s and
Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
has been steadily increasing in popularity since that time. Karate
instructors have borrowed the focus mitts as well as some of the Is a Publication of:
science from the sport of boxing, then added kicks, knee, and elbow
strikes to fit the needs of our sport. The mitts may arguably be
the most versatile piece of equipment in the karate dojo. There are
drills that will help to improve each of the attributes necessary for Editorial: Mike Piquette
karate proficiency – speed, focus, power, timing, balance, and co- mike@sportsenergynews.com
ordination. Offence and defence can be worked on simultaneously Editor: Margo Jankowski
with counterstrikes being developed while always using realistic Graphic Design: Lynn Dillabough,
movement. As with all other pads, the mitt holder is always in dillydesigns@eastlink.ca
charge and will determine the type of drill to practise as well as Business Development/Advertising: Mike Piquette,
the intensity level required for the individual that he/she is working mike@sportsenergynews.com or 613-662-3654
with. Focus mitts have evolved over the years and today there are Sales: Gord Shaver
literally hundreds to choose from. Some remain traditional, with a 613-362-8004 gordshaver@hotmail.com
flat surface, but many if not most trainers now prefer the curved Sales: Guy Lalonde
613-330-4930 guylalonde@cogeco.ca
mitt. This design places the hand in a more natural cupped position
Sports Energy is a monthly publication covering the Greater Cornwall
and allows for better wrist alignment for the holder. Choosing a
Area. Our goal is to offer a quality, informative and enjoyable newspaper
pair of focus mitts will often come down the personal preference
and website to our readership, focusing on the accomplishments of the
of the holder, but here are a few very basic things to look at when
making your choice. The pad should be easy to get on and off, be many gifted athletes and sports organizations in our area. The opinions
lightweight, comfortable, and your hand should fit firmly in place. and statements of our writers and columnists are not necessarily the
opinion of Sports Energy.
It is always best to choose a superior quality model that will absorb Sports Energy is always on the lookout for positive sports stories.
the impact of incoming strikes and will stand up over time, lasting If you have a story you feel is worthwhile sharing, please email to
for years. Properly used, focus mitts can greatly enhance karate info@sportsenergynews.com.
training and will provide a great workout for both the holder and
All suggestions will be considered but not necessarily printed.
striker.
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