IU self-defense clubs display skills

Martial arts may have some passive forms, but that didn’t stop the display of knives, foils and nunchakus at Saturday’s Martial Arts Festival at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

The annual festival showcased 11 of IU’s club martial arts teams.  

IU’s programs make up one of largest collegiate martial arts programs both in variety of art forms and people enrolled in martial arts classes.  

The program has teams for art forms ranging from Brazilian Jujitsu to fencing.

Each team had an opportunity to showcase its art form to attendees in demonstrations put on in the HPER. The festival also allowed the clubs to interact with each other and learn from other art forms.  

Niles Hall, Hapkido and self-defense club vice-president, said he believes that the festival is the best opportunity to compare and promote all martial arts forms.  

“We try to show the similarities and differences of all the martial arts at IU,” he said. “It’s a chance for the program to gain exposure.”

After demonstrations were done, students could talk with members of each of the clubs.

The teams had booths set up showing the different weapons they use, their traditional garments and information about the sport.  

Freshman Sarah Rish is a member of the Aikido club, one of the more passive forms of martial arts. She said she hopes people who come out will see the opportunities the club has to offer.  

“The people here are really great, and it’s a chance to get involved,” she said. “I hope more people will want to join the club.”

Those looking for a more aggressive martial arts form could also find that at the festival.

The Filipino martial arts club practices the form seen in many major films, including “300” and the “Bourne” movies, club member Tony Spitz said.

Spitz, a senior, said the Filipino club is also interested in recruiting new members.  

“We are one of the newer clubs, so we want to get our name out and let people know we exist,” Spitz said. “We all want to see new members that are interested.”