×

Lydell Brings Super Grands To Jamestown

For the last 30 years, Lakewood resident Boice Lydell has taken the Super Grands World Games around the country, providing a venue for some of the most talented martial artists in the country to test their skills.

The Grands, which feature seasoned competitors from the National Blackbelt League as well as amateur athletes, have now finally made their way to Jamestown this weekend.

“We first started 30 years ago with the Super Grands at the end of every year,” Lydell said.

“I had this vision in my mind of moving all over the country, which I ended up doing,” Lydell added. “The first year were were in Niagara Falls but we have been to San Jose, Atlantic City, New Orleans, Hollywood, Sacramento, Colorado Springs. It has been all over the place.”

In the early years, Lydell was interested in taking the Grands to larger cities, where fans would have a chance to experience everything from sport karate matches to “breaking” competitions.

It was not until recently that the idea of bringing the event back to his hometown came up.

“This is kind of unusual doing it in Jamestown, but the people who have come here have liked the town because everything is so close. In the big cities we have been lost a little bit. I’ve come to see that Jamestown does have a certain appeal to it. Jamestown in the holiday season has a quaintness and a decorated character that you don’t get in a lot of other cities.”

After looking at the options available for venues, Lydell eventually settled on using the Jamestown YMCA for preliminary events and the Willow Bay Theater as a larger staging area.

“They have been wonderful to work with at the YMCA, and the Willow Bay is just the cutest little restored theater,” Lydell said. “I learned a lot this year, even though I have done this for 30 years it is still a learning experience.”

Tickets will be available for under $5 at the door of the Willow Bay Theater, where action will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday nights, and Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

On Tuesday evening, the Super Grands will host their banquet and New Year’s Eve party.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today