Morning Star Staff
A dozen Sundance Taekwon-Do members racked up 18 medals at the ITF B.C. Cup last weekend in Burnaby.
Competing in a field of 240 athletes, Sundance recorded five gold, six silver and seven bronze in patterns and sparring events. It was the first competition for many of the Vernon participants.
“This tournament was a great opportunity for many of our members to experience competition for the first time, and everyone had success on some level,” said head coach David White, a fifth-degree black belt.
“One of the great things about Taekwon-Do competition is the emphasis on respect to your opponent and sportsmanship, which was definitely on display at this event.”
Leading the pack was Ciara Wilson, a first-degree black belt who pocketed gold in both junior girls patterns and lightweight sparring. Black belt Natalie Bowie earned bronze in women’s patterns.
In colour belt competition, Maira Wilson, 11, struck silver in pre-junior red belt patterns. Fellow red belt Brianna Li collected silver in the 9-10 year-old patterns.
Jayden Li, Brianna’s little brother, took gold in the blue belt 7-8 patterns, while their father, Ted Li, had bronze in senior men’s blue belt sparring.
Green belt Calvin Tse uncovered gold in 12-14 boys sparring and silver in patterns. First-time competitor Gavin Tokai, nine, won gold in yellow belt sparring and silver in patterns.
Owen Lewis and Nolan Benson, both yellow belts, did well, with Lewis winning bronze in 7-8 patterns and Benson taking bronze in both patterns and sparring.
Father and son yellow belts, Dwayne and Jacob Venton, both taking home medals in their respective divisions.
Dwayne Venton, 48, earned silver in yellow belt patterns and sparring, while his son Jacob Venton took bronze in the 10-12 yellow belt patterns and sparring.
Wilson, Bowie and Kelly Kinniburgh will be travelling to Regina for ITF nationals, Nov. 7-8.
The club is currently accepting new members.
