THE 2022/2023 KILIAN ACADEMY AWARDS
Updated: Mar 26
Sauble - Friday evening, March 10 2023, Kilian Academy hosted the first Academy Awards. at the Sauble Christian Fellowship. The Academy Awards is hosted in celebration of the Academy athlete’s exceptional performance during the 2022 competition calendar, which saw 4 Canada National and 5 Ontario Champions being crowned.
The 2022 Canada National Champion, Nick Mole from Owen Sound, was awarded the BJJ Male Athlete of the Year, as well as the Performance of the Year, following an undefeated record for the season. “I am thankful to compete, however, to be recognized by my community and training partners in this fashion, is an emotional experience. I wish to thank my coach, my family and my training partners for shaping me into the athlete I am today,” stated Nick Mole. Megan Kuntz, from Hanover and 2022 London Open Champion, was awarded BJJ Female Athlete of the Year.
The Junior Athlete of the Year was awarded to Owen Sound, St Mary’s student Ethan Guichelaar, the 2022 Ontario Champion. “To be nominated together with amazing youth athletes such as Derrick, Kristahn and Landon and then receive the award is amazing. Kilian Academy is shaping young athletes into noteworthy champions,” stated Ethan Guichelaar.
Athlete’s athlete of the Year was awarded to Owen Sound’s Curran Dixon. “Brazilian Jiu-jitsu has become a lifestyle that has contributed greatly to the man and athlete I am today. On a daily basis, I seek to improve my own technique and those that I am granted to share time on the mats. That my training partners honour me in this fashion is humbling and speaks of the community the Academy has become,” added Curran Dixon.
The Contribution of the Year award was awarded to Dave and Stacey Fretz, owners of Fretz’s Valu Mart in Sauble, for supporting Kilian Academy athletes during the year. More than 80 athletes, business personalities and martial art enthusiasts attended the 2022/2023 Kilian Academy Awards, hosted at Sauble Christian Fellowship. Apart from celebrating the athlete’s achievements, the Gala which is the only black tie event in Grey-Bruce County also served as a fundraiser for the athlete’s equipment fund.
Kilian Academy Program Director, Abrie Kilian, stated that the Academy is currently one of the largest training facilities in Grey-Bruce County and is continuing to grow. “The Academy has become the proverbial temple, where people are able to train unhindered. A place to learn techniques to bolster both physical and mental fortitude to engage the world with confidence and pride. Thank you for our community’s support. We will continue to grow and produce quality competitors, both participating in martial arts and life in general,” added Kilian. Kilian Academy is celebrating its 4 year anniversary in March.
All Photos by Ashley Winters at Ashley Winters Photography located in Owen Sound.
Catering by Heat and Eat Meals located in Shallow Lake.
Venue is the Sauble Christian Fellowship located in Sauble Beach.