Parksville hosts taekwondo event

Over 260 at friendly Island tournament hosted by Parksville Taekwondo Academy

The 2013 Vancouver Island Taekwondo Championships happened on Saturday, where over 260 students converged and competed at the Parksville Curling Club. Here, Samuel Atagi (right) and N. Cole Schiml spar in the martial art Chanbara, using padded-weapons.

The 2013 Vancouver Island Taekwondo Championships happened on Saturday, where over 260 students converged and competed at the Parksville Curling Club. Here, Samuel Atagi (right) and N. Cole Schiml spar in the martial art Chanbara, using padded-weapons.

The weekend’s big sporting event saw over 260 taekwondo students competing in Parksville.

Organizer Brett Fee of the Parksville Taekwondo Academy said the friendly gathering was mostly about giving mid-Island students a chance to experience the tournament atmosphere, and continue their development.

The 2013 Vancouver Island Taekwondo Championships were definitely the largest martial arts event Fee’s aware of in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area and possibly the largest on the Island north of Victoria.

The students came from 12 schools and ranged from age five to adult

It was also a great chance for the area’s 10 young referees to gain experience.

— Auren Ruvinsky

Parksville Qualicum Beach News