Cranbrook’s White Tiger Taekwondo wrapped up its 2014-15 competition season with a trip to Kelowna for the Kees Taekwondo Invitational the weekend of April 10 to 12.
The White Tiger had a successful run at the event, claiming eight gold medals and 11 silver medals.
“The competition was good for all students and all levels,” wrote Master Steve Desjardins via email. “The black belts had some really good competitors there to compete. Overall, everyone had fun and enjoyed the competition.
“This was a real good tournament for some of our students, who for them, it was their first time competing.”
A total of 120 competitors took part in the tournament, seeking out medals in six different events: poomsae, power break, high-jump kick, flying side kick and weapons.
According to the World Taekwondo Federations, poomsae is a series of movements for offense and defense techniques in accordance with fixed patterns.
White Tiger students Erica Palmer and Sarah Jewsbury each earned gold medals in their respective divisions of poomsae competition.
Rhy Palmer and Ethan Sawatsky laid claim to silver medals in poomsae as well.
A total of three White Tiger athletes earned gold medals in full-contact sparring. Erica Palmer, Tanner Swanson and Ken Jewsbury were all rewarded for their efforts in each of their respective divisions.
Rhy Palmer, Nolan Palmer, Hunter Chiz, Sarah Jewsbury and Ainsley Zmurchyk contributed to the medal hunt, with each earning silver medals in their respective sparring divisions.
In power break competition, athletes are scored by how many boards they break using standard techniques.
Nolan Palmer was awarded with gold and Rhy Palmer with silver in power-break competition.
In high-jump kick competition, Kihwan Kim claimed gold with a 7-foot-6 leap. Sarah Jewsbury was awarded silver for her efforts, while Sawatsky narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth.
Kihwan Kim also claimed gold in flying side kick competition.
Dawson Thomas finished fourth in traditional Korean weapons form competition.
The successful weekend in Kelowna concludes the season for White Tiger Taekwondo. The next campaign of martial arts gets underway in the fall.