New to Jiu-Jitsu
Therien Jiu Jitsu opened a club in the Village of Russell, at the Russell Arts and Culture Centre. Shown here on Wed., March 21, from left to right are instructors Thomas Buckle, Norm Beauchamp, Denis Harkness, Mika Harkness, and Russell Mayor and former student of Therien, Pierre Leroux.   Vetter photo

Candice Vetter
Villager Staff
RUSSELL – Therien Jiu Jitsu opened its seventh club, and its first in the Village of Russell, at the Russell Arts and Culture Centre (former Registry Office), on Mon., March 19, with classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening.

Therien is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and in celebration of both that significant event and its new location, gave a one-week free trial to anyone interested in trying out either Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Jiu-Jitsu classes for ages six to 12 start at 5:45 p.m., followed by a class for ages 13 and up at 6:30 p.m., at 7:30 p.m. it offers kickboxing, and at 8:15 p.m. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Students of Jiu-Jitsu or kickboxing can advance to competitive levels, as many Therien students have. Norm Beauchamp, operator of the school and of the Therien Chesterville location, said for those who didn’t want to compete, the purpose of classes was, “Fun, fitness and more fun.” He said, “You compete against yourself.”

He should know. He started with Therien at age 15, and has been with them now for 43 years. “I was introduced to classes in high school,” he said. “I continued, and became certified to teach internationally.” He said his career has taken him many places he might not have otherwise visited. “I’ve been to France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and St. Petersburg in Russia.” He has lived in Chesterville for the past 25 years.

He was pleased with the uptake the school had already attracted. “We’re really happy to be here and open this club in Russell,” he said. “In Jiu-Jitsu we encourage parents to be with their children. It’s good quality time. Life skills and self-discipline are reinforced and rewarded here.”