Skip to content

Another successful Taekwon-Do Tournament for local competitors

Local taekwon-do competitors ventured off to Kamloops B.C. for the 2016 ITF of BC Provincial Championships on Nov. 19.
52887fortNov.25.16010
Members of Fort St. James Family Taekwon-Do.

Barbara Latkowski

Caledonia Courier

Local taekwon-do competitors ventured off to Kamloops B.C. for the 2016 ITF of BC Provincial Championships on Nov. 19.

Coach Vera Poole was thrilled with the results.

“My students rocked it,” Poole said. “They stepped up to the challenge and excelled. I’m so proud of them and all that they’ve achieved.”

Out of 13 students competing, 20 medals came home.

“Our town made a mark at the tournament this year,” Poole said. “I had to step up and officiate so my senior students took command and made sure all competitors were ready.”

“I’ve received thanks to my club from tournament officials, parents and even strangers. My students rose to the occasion and everyone came out stronger. We really shined.”

Poole has been teaching at Fort St. James Family Taekwon-do for about 7 years and she herself has been training for eleven. Her official title is assistant instructor and she has a 2nd dan black belt.

Poole is already looking forward to the next tournament.

“Each tournament sets new challenges. It’s empowering,” Poole said.

“Our club always gets recognized and we’ve even influenced future tournament rules. I’m so proud of all that we’ve achieved.”

But for Poole, the achievements are impossible without the continued support from the community.

“It wouldn’t be what it is without all of the support from parents, the Fort St. James community, Nak’azdli Whuten and the Ts’oodunne Rec Society,” Poole said.

It’s a huge undertaking to travel to these tournaments and it wouldn’t be possible without all of the support.”

Results from the 2016 ITF of BC Provincial Taekwon-Do Championships:

Zuri Grondin – bronze (sparring) bronze (patterns)

Cassidy MacDougall – bronze (patterns)

Nikolai Legebokoff – silver (patterns) silver (sparring)

Cela West – bronze (patterns) silver (sparring)

Ursan Kitchen – bronze (sparring)

Cheyenne Vandrishe – bronze (patterns) silver (sparring)

Vera Poole – silver (patterns) bronze (sparring)

And new timers: Ian Bleeks-Sam, Rowan Dinwoodie, Joseph Walsh, Asia-Rae Panesar and Braelyn Pacheco, all received bronze medals.