IWAKUNI, Japan - Military personnel competed in a round-robin dodgeball tournament at the IronWorks Gym sports courts here June 24.
Marines and sailors from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, Marine Aircraft Group 12, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 and Combat Logistics Company 36 created eight teams to participate in the seven-round, round-robin dodgeball tournament.
At the end of the 28-game tournament, Team Epic and Aiming for the Fat One were tied with six wins and one loss each, resulting in a final tiebreaker game.
Team Epic managed to knock off all six Aiming for the Fat One team members on the court duringthe 29th and final game of the tournament, becoming the champions.
“We try to have a well-rounded sports and activities program for the Marines in the community,” said Thomas F. Durning, IronWorks Gym athletic director. “Plus, people like to come out and let out a little aggression and throw the dodgeballs at other commands.”
This tournament is put on twice a year. Each time new teams form, new names are acquired and new abilities tested in this fast-paced, sometimes fierce, dodgeball tournament.
“It’s great physical fitness; it’s great exercise; it’s a different form of PT,” said Durning.
Although this tournament took place during the participants’ lunch time, they didn’t seemto mind as they dodged, ducked, dipped and dived balls and returned fire with force.
“Last year we had a team and we came in second,” said Kameron D. Olson, Team Epic team member. “We had three different teams because we have a lot of people who like to support our squadron, and we wanted to try and take the championship.”
Team Epic kept their wins tied with Aiming for the Fat Ones throughout the tournament.
“It was a ride coming this far,” said Olson. “There were a couple games where we thought we might lose. We were scared about the two games against the [Aiming for the Fat One].”
The Aiming for the Fat Ones put up a good fight as it competed against Team Epic for the championship.
“We wanted to bring the trophy to MALS-12,” said Kevin M. Polosky, Aiming for the Fat One team member.
This competition was not only good for the team members to work together, but it also helped with the camaraderie between units.
“It’s disappointing that we made it this far and lost,” said Polosky. “Our team had a good shot, we worked together and made it to the finals.”
This tournament is not only open to military members, but also to all Status of Forces Agreement and Japanese Security Guard personnel. As a semi-annual event, one tournament is held in the summer season and one in the winter.
Dates for the next dodgeball tournament have yet to be decided.
If you would like to participate in the next dodgeball tournament, be sure to check in with the Iron-Works Gym and check the Marine Corps Community Services emails as the winter season rolls around.