Vernon to host national event in 2021

Apr 13, 2020 | 12:25 PM

An event next year is expected to bring more than 500 athletes, plus coaches and officials to Vernon, providing an economic boost to the city.

The Canadian National Taekwon-Do Championships are scheduled for Kal Tire Place April 24 and 25, 2021.

It’s the largest event on the Canadian Taekwon-Do Federation’s calendar.

Athletes aged four to 74 will be taking part, from beginners to the top black belts in the country, including about 100 athletes from the region.

They will be competing for the title of Canadian national champion and earning spots on the delegation to Finland. The event also serves as the selection for athletes to represent Canada at the 2021 International Taekwon-Do Federation World Championships in Tampere, Finland.

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Sundance Taekwon-Do in Vernon is the host organization for the event under the direction of David White, a lifelong Vernon resident and sixth-degree black belt.

“This is a huge opportunity for our community of athletes to shine on the national stage. This will bring the spotlight on the Greater Vernon area and all of the incredible amenities it has to offer,” said White who is chair of the organizing committee.

White said the event represents a huge economic boost for the community and is expected to use about 400 hotel room nights throughout the event weekend.

“The nationals will attract more than 500 athletes, plus coaches, officials and supporters to the Vernon area to participate in two full days of competitions,” White said.

The event will be free to spectators. Several parts of the competition will be live streamed to showcase the high level of competition expected at the tournament.

Black belts trying to qualify for the national team can do so in seven different disciplines. As an individual they can compete in sparring, patterns (forms), power breaking and special technique (high flying).

There are also several team aspects to competition including team sparring, team patterns, and pre-arranged sparring. The top competitors in these categories will be invited to a spot on the national team by a selection committee consisting of some of the top coaches and practitioners in Canada.

“These selections are sure to be dynamic and exciting events,” White stated.

Taekwon-Do holds strong traditions in the Okanagan dating back to the 1980s. This is the largest event to ever be held in the region and the first time the nationals have been held in the Okanagan.

For more information about the 2021 Nationals, visit their website www.ctfi-nationals.com.

The organizing committee is also seeking sponsorship from the local business community and more information can be found on the website under sponsorship.

by Pete McIntyre

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