Jack Sharkey will compete in sparring at the World Taekwondo championships in Tampere, Finland, starting Sept 6. (submitted photo)

By Pete McIntyre

in Finland

Vernon athlete to compete for Canada at Taekwondo world championships

Aug 29, 2023 | 12:00 PM

A local athlete plans to give it “his all” when he represents Canada at the World Taekwondo Championships next week in Finland.

Jack Sharkey, 14, will compete in the sparring event for pre-junior boys (over 65 kg), a division for competitors aged 12 to 14.

The Grade 10 student at Vernon Secondary School will take on an athlete from Uzbekistan in his first bout on Sept. 6 at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Center (TESC) in Tampere, Finland.

“It’s a great honour to represent my team and my country at the world championships. I’m excited to be able to compete at this level and will give it my all,” Sharkey said.

Jack Sharkey (left) with national coach Master Michael Barker and fellow world championship contender Iveta Griffith at the national training camp in Regina. (submitted photo)

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The tournament will host about 1,200 black belt athletes from over 60 countries over seven days, Sept. 4-10.

Sharkey, who trains out of Sundance Martial Arts in Vernon, was first invited to Canada’s national training camp and selections in May 2023 at the Canadian National Championships held at Kal Tire Place in Vernon.

The nationals camp was held in Regina in July and served as an opportunity for athletes to train for events such as patterns, sparring, special technique (flying), and power breaking.

Sharkey’s coach at Sundance Martial Arts is David White, a sixth-degree black belt, who previously served as a national coach in 2019.

“We are all excited for Jack to have this opportunity to compete at the highest level in our sport. He is a dedicated student who works hard at not only improving his own game but also helping others do the same,” White said.

The world championships will be streamed for free live on YouTube.