25th Annual Tournament

Whitecourt Taekwondo held its 25th annual tournament on January 31, 2015 and was host to 28 clubs from not only around our province but from a Mexican club, as well. This milestone competition attracted over 1,000 people to the Allan & Jean Millar Centre, packing it with participants, friends, and family. The snow couldn’t keep 288 eager taekwondo enthusiasts from showing their best moves throughout the day.

The tournament started with the children’s Colour Belts as they competed in both Poomsae and Sparring divisions. For some students this was their first time competing and our Whitecourt students did an amazing job, earning 54 medals!

Between divisions, Mayor Maryann Chichak and MLA George Vanderburg were presented with Honourary 1st and 2nd Dan Black Belts, respectively. These Black Belts were given as a token of appreciation for the support they have shown the club and it’s students. Our visiting club from Mexico even had a special gift for Master Rennie Sr., a symbol of friendship and respect, an authentic sombrero. For the third year, Master Rennie Jr. led the crowd in a few moments of reflection as he took the time to honour a young taekwondo student who tragically lost his life in 2012. The ‘Nick Falardeau Award’ recognizes an outstanding attitude demonstrating the taekwondo spirit of positivity. This year’s recipient, David Coffee, is a 3rd Dan Black Belt with our club. He exemplifies the spirit of taekwondo and has been an incredible positive influence and role model to all members of the club.

An addition to this year’s tournament was an event arranged by 3rd Poom Black Belt, Hannah Rennie. She came up with a ‘Minute to Win It’ style competition that had one member from each of the top participating clubs (in regards to competitors entered) attempting to win a $250 gift certificate to hold a pizza party for their club. Nine students under 15 had a chance to knock bottles off a post using only a pair of nunchucks that were secured with their taekwondo belt. A member of the Mayerthorpe club came out on top after a showdown with a member of Tiger Taekwondo from Edmonton.

The afternoon portion of the tournament held adult Color Belt and Black Belt divisions in both poomsae and sparring. Whitecourt included an additional pattern division, giving families the opportunity to compete together. Three of our club’s taekwondo families earned medals in the Family Pattern Division, rounding out our adult medal total to 25.

Some highlights from this year’s tournament included not only great results, but displaying a great attitude. Brian Hatch’s first head contact matches secured him a gold medal and was an action-packed crowd pleaser. Jacob House saw a student in need of a belt during the Minute to Win It competition and quickly offered his own. Also, and perhaps most important, was the support that was given by our volunteers. Without the commitment and dedication of parents, students, and taekwondo friends, our incredibly successful tournaments would not be so. Thank you, volunteers, for all you do!