The Tioga Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting on May 2 for Art of Combat Sports Championships, located at 1518 Day Hollow Rd. in Owego. Pictured, from left, are Debbie Howard, Tioga Chamber Board member and Assemblyman Chris Friend’s Tioga County liaison; Derak Hayman of Hayman Wrestling Academy; Erik Gillette of Art of Combat; Gail Gillette; and Sister Mary O’Brien, Tioga Chamber Board member and Tioga County Rural Ministry director. For more information, visit artofcombat.net or find them on Facebook and Instagram. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
The Tioga County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting on May 2 for Art of Combat Sports Championships, located at 1518 Day Hollow Rd. in Owego. The facility, just past the intersection of Day Hollow and Bodle Hill Roads, is the second location for the fitness and martial arts business. Another facility, opened in 2015, is located in Elmira.
The Art of Combat Sports Championships is a martial arts and fitness center, along with a future events venue. A variety of classes within a positive and family-friendly environment are offered, including beginner sessions for men, women and children ages four through adult.
Personal, one-on-one lessons can also be scheduled, and the center welcomes individuals to try a free class.
Owner Erik Gillette has been involved with mixed martial arts (MMA) for 12 years or more and has promoted and managed shows within the region, including at venues such as the Broome County and Elmira arenas, among others.
Based on a desire to stay closer to the Owego area, where he has lived since 2003, Gillette has been busy renovating the 11,000-plus square foot Day Hollow property that once housed a car dealership, among other businesses. Once complete, Gillette has future plans to secure necessary local approval to hold special events.
The Art of Combat Sports Championships promotes developing athletes at all levels. From general fitness to youth fitness MMA, and more, there is something available for every interest and ability. Sport MMA is rooted in kickboxing, boxing and submission wrestling, and provides amateur athletes a more professional-like experience.
Pictured is an inside view of one of the rooms inside the Art of Combat Sports Championships, located at 1518 Day Hollow Rd. in Owego. For more information, visit artofcombat.net or find them on Facebook and Instagram. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
“You can get a great all-around workout using cardio and MMA movements,” Gillette said.
In addition, Derak Heyman of Heyman Wrestling Academy out of Tioga Center, and himself a past state wrestling champion, is hosting a wrestling club on site. Heyman, as the instructor and coach, is offering classes for both youth and adult.
For more information, visit artofcombat.net, email artofcombatsc@gmail.com, or call (607) 689-3644 or (607) 972-8441.
You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
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