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Local martial arts competitors cleaned house at the 2015 International Taekwon-do Federation Western Canadian Championships in Kelowna on Saturday, April 11th.
Winning a total of 13 medals, members of Sundance Taekwon-do in Kelowna participated in the championships that featured over 360 competitors from 40 different clubs across British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
“This tournament was a great opportunity for many of our members to experience competition for the first time and everyone had success on some level,” said head coach David White, a 5th degree black belt and International Instructor and Examiner with the International Taekwon-Do Federation.
Caption: Judy Conway and Doris Kotscha. Photo credit: contributed.
Kelly Kinniburgh, a 3rd degree black belt, brought home gold from the women’s light heavyweight sparring. Kinniburgh, who is an experienced international competitor, will be heading to Italy in May to compete in the World Championships.
Judy Conway and Doris Kotscha competed in the senior women’s black belt category with Judy winning double gold in patterns and sparring, and Doris winning silver in patterns and bronze in sparring.
Instructor Andy Leung, 5th degree black belt, took home the gold medal in the men’s light heavyweight sparring category.
Calvin Tse won double silver in the junior boys green belt patterns and sparring, while clubmate Carson Wiltink was awarded the silver medal in the peewee boys yellow belt sparring division.
Meanwhile, brothers Colton and Connor Samuelson competed in the same division and were awarded for their efforts with a bronze medal.
Also competing in the tournament were brothers Sam and Mark Bell. Mark beat out the competition to take gold in the peewee boys sparring, while Sam took silver in the junior boys mixed belt sparring.
Caption: Brad Cotey. Photo credit: contributed.
“One of the great things about Taekwon-Do competition is the emphasis on respect to your opponent and sportsmanship, which was definitely on display at this event,” said White. “To have this prestigious event held so close to home is a privilege for our members and an incredible opportunity. This was truly a great event for our members to gain valuable experience and develop some great skills.”
The next major event for the Sundance team is the North American and Caribbean ITF Championships in November. The event will be held in Vancouver.
For more information on Sundance Taekwon-Do and its programs, checkout their website or contact David White at 778-215-5425.
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