Havelock siblings ready for the ring
Haylie Jolly-Caines, 11, and brother Hunter, 10, are competing in The Quest kick-boxing event
Competition can help young martial artists gain confidence and grow as individuals.
That’s what Jason Mancini, World Championship Martial Arts’ (WCMA) head coach and owner, is looking for from two of his youngest competitors this weekend.
Hunter Jolly-Caines, 10, will compete in his very first 35-kilogram might-kick kick-boxing match and sister Haylie, 11, in her second contest at 36 kilograms when WCMA hosts The Quest, a 13-bout amateur kick-boxing card on Saturday night at The Venue.
“Competition brings out some of the best in our character,” said Mancini. “To get these guys in the ring and have them face some adversity by choice, it just has them do some other things in life that might be challenging with a little bit more ease.”
The siblings, who live in Havelock and attend Havelock-Belmont Public School, started training four years ago. Mancini said they are unique in that they train and compete in both Muay Thai kick-boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
“I’m nervous but excited at the same time,” said Hunter. “I want to win first place and show my friends at school that I got first place.”
“Hunter and Haylie are two very high-energy youngsters who are very charismatic little kids and it translates in their energy physically, as well,” said Mancini.
“Not only is Hunter always laughing and smiling and maybe even being a little disruptive, he’s also extremely athletic. He tries really hard when he’s on point and, if we can get him to focus, he can be rather exceptional.”
Haylie had her first bout at a tournament out of town and this will be her first hometown match.
“I’m excited because my family will be able to come and watch,” Haylie said. “I’m a little bit nervous because I don’t want to get hurt.”
“Haylie is a little bit older and her focus level is a bit more engaged,” Mancini said, “But, for her, the competition is a little bit intimidating to be in performance in front of the group.
“The young lad might be more concerned about what the fight will feel like — she’s more concerned about the fact all eyes are on her. When I was training with Hunter, it was like, ‘Why are you so engaged today?’ It was because he has competition coming up. Haylie looked like she was nauseous because competition is coming up. That’s where a lot of the growth comes from.”
Haylie believes it will be easier being her second time in the ring.
“It will help a lot because I already have some experience of what it will look like and how it feels,” she said.
The siblings first came to the gym because their parents wanted them to try a martial art. They fell in love with it.
“I really liked it,” said Haylie. “I like making friends and learning about the techniques.”
“I love doing it,” said Hunter. “I like meeting new people and I like training and coming every day to see my friends.”
WCMA keeps returning to The Venue.
“What we enjoy most about The Venue is how intimate it is,” said Mancini. “The location is ideal, right downtown. You can’t beat that. It also has an upper level, which gives everybody a bird’s-eye view if they so choose to get tickets from that angle.”
Other WCMA athletes set to participate include Dominick DiFalco, 15 (60 kilograms); Lily Hill, 13 (70 kilograms); Willow Batley, 8 (45 kilograms); Tim Roy, 23 (70 kilograms); Corey Brooks, 34 (80 kilograms); and Brody Lawlor, 22 (63 kilograms).
Tickets for The Quest are $35 in advance at WCMA in the Brookdale Plaza and $40 at the door and VIP seats are $60.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with bouts getting underway at 7 p.m.
Contact WCMA at info@worldchampionship.ca or call 705-7499056.