Local wrestlers featured in magazines

Wrestling brothers Craig and Brian Axford have now both been featured in Sport Karate magazine. Craig was featured in 2001 and Brian was featured in a 2002 issue.

Both brothers began their martial arts careers in 1988 and received their black belts in 1998.

According to the magazine, Brian was four when he started his martial arts training and his mother had to pay him and then buy him candy bars following his lessons.

Craig was also a reluctant participant but as a six-year old his mother insisted he take lessons to learn to protect himself. He, too, the magazine states had to be encouraged to attend lessons. It took nearly five years before he realized he liked karate and he began entering local competitions.

Keith Weston, from Ontario, near where the Axford’s were raised, took the boys under his wing and pushed them toward higher skill levels.

Weapons competitions had always been Craig’s favorite events and he excelled in both contemporary and traditional divisions.

Brian used to fight and perform creative weapons but said they weren’t “serious” enough for him. He excels in his first love -- Japanese based forms and self defense.

In 1998, both brothers set their sights on the NBL blackbelt competition.

Starting in 1999, Craig has not failed to win in Japanese forms as well as traditional.

In 2000 he and Brian were world champion finalists for the traditional self defense division.

Brian and Craig are the sons of Paul and Jane Axford of Brockport.