On any given weekday, students working out on the second floor of Ping can see a fleet of white robes practicing martial arts in the windowed walls.
The Mixed Martial Arts Club, originally the Kung Fu Club, formed back in the ‘90s. At its inception, most people in the group practiced Kung Fu. But as their martial arts repertoire grew, they changed the name to reflect their diverse interest.
In the fall attendance usually peaks with about 50 members, said William Hannan, next year’s president of the Mixed Martial Arts Club.
As winter and spring roll around the numbers tend to even out. At the moment, the group has about 20 regular members.
Hannan said he prefers to practice Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu.
“They are the most fun for me,” Hannan said.
A majority of the club’s members practice martial arts for fun and exercise. But some members bring their skill to competition, like Christopher Malinski, a senior member of the group, who boasted a recent win at a kickboxing tournament.
The club usually incorporates three main forms of martial arts throughout the year, Hannan said.
In the beginning of the year everyone first learns Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand. As the year progresses, new styles such as Jiu-Jitsu and Savate are incorporated.
The club holds its sessions in Ping’s combat room, located on the second floor. Practices are held on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. On Thursdays and Saturdays, members work on whichever form they feel like practicing, Hannan said.
Club members spar on Sunday, meaning they practice fighting with other members instead of mats and pads.
Like many sports, the Mixed Martial Arts Club requires a $15 fee per quarter. The money from club members is used to buy new equipment, since some of the pads still have the old Kung Fu Club marks and symbols on them,
Hannan said.
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