Jenn Selman doesnB次元官网网址檛 want to live her life with any regrets.
A single mother to three boys, the Langford resident has had a busy life, but still manages to try new things. She ran her first marathon at the age of 40 in Greece and now sheB次元官网网址檚 training for a new challenge: competing in kickboxing in the Be First Championships this weekend.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more nerve-wracking than anything, IB次元官网网址檝e never done it before,B次元官网网址� said Selman, who will be competing in the novice category.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not going in it to win, IB次元官网网址檓 going in because I donB次元官网网址檛 want to ever say B次元官网网址榦h man, I wish I had done that.B次元官网网址� I donB次元官网网址檛 want to wake up one day and regret not doing things.B次元官网网址�
Selman is one of roughly 100 to 200 athletes who will be competing in the championships put on by Crusher Combat Sports at Eagle Ridge Centre.
The tournament, which started eight years ago and takes place two to three times a year, combines various types of martial arts B次元官网网址� boxing, continuous sparring, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu and nogi grappling B次元官网网址� into one event. The last event in March drew participants aged eight and up from around the Island, as well as some from the Mainland and as far away as Terrace.
B次元官网网址淚t provides newcomers a chance to give it a try and see if itB次元官网网址檚 something theyB次元官网网址檙e interested in or it can be for the most elite athletes that we have on Vancouver Island, even some professional fighters use it to get some extra practice,B次元官网网址� said Keri Scarr, who owns and operates Crusher Combat Sports on Westshore Parkway, alongside Mike Jorgensen. She is also SelmanB次元官网网址檚 coach.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great family event, all ages are welcome. TheyB次元官网网址檒l be seeing some of the best of the best martial artists on Vancouver Island competing against each other that night.B次元官网网址�
RELATED: Friday Night Fights event hosted in Langford
For Selman, competing in the Be First Championships is something sheB次元官网网址檚 been preparing for since she started kickboxing four years ago. She admitted she didnB次元官网网址檛 like the sport the first time she tried it because it required co-ordination and fighting some of your natural instincts, such as flinching when someone throws a punch. But she stuck with it and has come a long way since then.
B次元官网网址淵ou just learn to step in to it and it becomes second nature,B次元官网网址� said Selman, adding she recently earned her blue belt. B次元官网网址淵ou have to be in the proper stance all the time and light on your feet. It was a big adjustment, learning all those things and putting them together.B次元官网网址�
Training for the competition hasnB次元官网网址檛 been easy.
On top of being a mother to 15, 18 and 22-year-old boys and working two jobs, Selman also trains at the gym five to six days a week, taking boxing, mixed-martial arts and boot camp classes.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think about it, I just do it,B次元官网网址� she laughed, when asked how she juggles the activities.
B次元官网网址淭he more time you put in the easier it gets. ItB次元官网网址檚 a good workout and a good stress release B次元官网网址� I get a rush out of it.B次元官网网址�
She expects to put on a good show at the championships as her three sons and dad will also be in the audience.
The Be First Championships take place on Saturday, June 9 at Eagle Ridge Centre (1097 Langford Pkwy.).
Doors open at 5 p.m. and the tournament gets underway at 5:30. Tickets are $20 at the door.
For more information visit m.
Like us on and follow us on
kendra.wong@goldstream
