Competitors from across B.C., Alberta, Washington and Oregon — and even one from as far away as Las Vegas — gathered in Langley on Saturday, to participate in the Creating Confidence III taekwondo tournament, hosted by Rahn’s Black Belt Academy.
The event, held at Langley Christian School, drew nearly 260 athletes, ranging from beginners, wearing white belts, to the most accomplished high black belts. Competitors as young as four years old took part alongside one participant in his early 60s.
The tournament’s special guest, who holds a seventh degree black belt, was senior master Ki-Seung Cho, from Lynwood, Wash.
Tournament competitors took, part in “poomsae,” or forms, as well as weapons, sparring, creative weapons, creative forms, Xtreme weapons, Xtreme forms and combat weapons sparring.
“Our sparring was point-contact sparring, versus full-contact sparring,” explained Do-Jang owner Shane Rahn.
Rahn’s Academy hosts a tournament, every couple of years, said instructor Matt Skaar.
On average, attendance ranges from 200 to 325 for each competition.
This tournament was instrumental in helping quite a number of students in securing places as provincial and Canadian champions, Rahn said.
“And it’s an opportunity for black belts to earn points in the world top 10.”
Rather than single out any particular competitor, Rahn said: “I would just say how incredibly proud I am of them … all of our students had a great attitude.”
