Comox Valley Woo Kim Taekwondo competitors, both adults and kids alike, brought home two medals each from the Master's Cup, held Oct. 16 in Vancouver.
Everyone won a medal in forms (poomsae) and in sparring. Jonathan Blancas had the crowd cheering with some spectacular spinning head shots. Other competitors included Darryl Matthews, Jade Matthews, Bonnie Roberts, Eve Roberts and Isabelle Smerchanski, who were accompanied by coaches Anne Koke and Richard Dobbs.
"Some of our athletes were competing for their very first time in a taekwondo event and conducted themselves with composure and confidence," Koke said. "Much of what we do in competition is a mental battle that we play between our minds and our nerves. Each time we confront our nerves, we grow as people and taekwondo is about physical and mental growth."
Two of the local club members were participating as referees: Katrina Cain and Harrison Elia. World Taekwondo Federation referees start out officiating smaller events; and some go on to become referees at the Summer Olympics.
"Our club operates out of the Courtenay Rec Centre (Lewis Centre) and the Comox Rec Centre under Subumnims (head instructors) Richard Dobbs and Anne Koke. Please call either Rec Centre for more information or to try out a class," Koke said.
Children’s classes for ages seven and up operate out of both rec centres and adult classes operate out of the Comox Rec Centre. "For those that want a good workout but are not looking for the structure of a martial art we also offer a Boxfit class Tuesday and Thursday evening out of the Comox Rec Centre," Koke added.
– Comox Valley Woo Kim Taekwondo