Submitted Photo

The annual NYS-HGC Grappling Championship, promoted by Norman Yonkers’ Karate Connection MMA, was held on April 13 at Fredonia Central School. This event has been running since 2004 in Fredonia and attracts competitors from all over the US and Canada. The Karate Connection is located at 168 Cushing St., Fredonia. For more information on these tournaments or The Karate Connection, go to www.karatecon.com and www.nys-hgc.com.

Pictured front row, from left: Abby McCloskey: Gi 4th, No-Gi 4th, Max Hernandez: Gi 4th, No-Gi 3rd, Trevor Mierzwa: Gi 1st, No-Gi 1st, 2nd in Superfight, Shane Mourer: Gi 1st, No-Gi 1st, 2nd in Superfight. Middle row, from left: Isabella Czekanski: Gi 4th, No-Gi 4th, Emma Mierzwa: Gi 4th, No-Gi 4th, Kaylee Cain: Gi 2nd, No-Gi 2nd, Riley Mourer: Gi 2nd, No-Gi 2nd, Hayden Babar: Gi 2nd, No-Gi 1st. Back row, from left: Sensei Yonkers, Steven Nolasco: Gi 4th, No-Gi 4th, Lucas Young: Gi 2nd, No-Gi 2nd, Neil Cosico: Gi 2nd. Missing from picture: Adam Sellari: Gi 3rd, Charles Romano: Gi 3rd, No-Gi 4th, Michael Dispenza: Gi 3rd.