Antelope Valley Press Article - May 24, 1999
Submission hold on life
Palmdale black belt meets life's challenges head on

By CHAD HOLCOMB - Valley Press Staff Writer
He faces arm bars, ankle locks and shoulder locks.
But every time Michael Gagne steps onto the mat and looks across at an eager competitor, he knows exactly what he is getting himself into.
Battling submission holds like chokes and strangles in anything goes grappling is actually the desired split from normalcy and preparation for the future Gagne seeks.
"I just wanted a split, something that would help my life all around," Gagne said. "I just love what I fell into with my instructors."
For Gagne, the future is not necessarily a career in forcing submission holds, but a possible career in law enforcement.
But for right now, he is out to meet new challenges and have fun doing it. Gagne, a Palmdale High graduate who devoted his high school years strictly to martial arts, handled his most recent challenge with distinction.
Gagne, who trains at the United Self-Defense Academy in Palmdale, was a double-winner at the Golden State Championship Open Martial Arts Tournament held March 21 at Lake View Terrace Recreation Center in Los Angeles.
The 19-year-old black belt won the sparring title and finished first in the under-200 pounds combat grappling division.
Quite a feat, considering it was Gagne's first time competing in the grappling competition.
"It can be hard to go in there when you don't know exactly what you're going against," he said. "It's like a book unopened, you don't know anything until you read it.
"I was nervous about (grappling) for the first time. It's the competitiveness in me that pushes me a little harder to do new things."
The 165-pounder beat out four opponents for the grappling title, including winning the championship with an arm-bar submission hold.
In a tournament that attracted scholars of all martial arts from all over the West, Gagne beat three different competitors in sparring to earn his second title.
"Winning those titles was one of my greatest accomplishments," Gagne said. "It is a wonderful feeling. I'd like to keep going in martial arts, go as far as I can."
The martial arts student for eight years said keeping the right frame of mind allows him to perform to his own expectations.
And it's that frame of mind that allows Gagne to continue competing in these events, which include full-contact weapons fighting. The right mind is necessary considering all the injuries Gagne has, seen competing, including breaking his own arm with nunchuks.
"I've seen plenty of broken noses, ankles and dislocations," Gagne said. "You are conscious of the injuries and that's a reality check. We're not bullet proof. You have to keep a focused mind, and if you worry (about getting injured), things won't happen."
Competing in tournaments all around California and having just finished his 17-unit second semester at AVC isn't enough to fill his time.
He also instructs students, ranging in age from 5 to 14, at the USDA Palmdale, Desert Sands Park and in Pearblossom. Gagne also works as a private instructor.
As if that's not enough, he was at the top of his class in the Sheriff Explorer program, an 18-week program that allows young men to work alongside sheriff's deputies.

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