The 17th annual Prairie Wildfire Taekwondo Challenge was once again a success, despite Yorkton Kee鈥檚 Taekwondo opting to move the event forward some six months in the hopes of drawing in new athletes.
鈥淲e鈥檝e changed our date from November to now,鈥� said Master Wayne Mitchell, adding that they hope the change in dates will allow for more competitors to attend the event in coming years. 鈥淚n November we had about 50 athletes that aren鈥檛 here now, but now we鈥檝e got about 50 new ones that weren鈥檛 here last time because the dates work for them now, so we鈥檙e hoping that next year we鈥檒l get all the ones missing this year back so we can get around 200 competitors next time.鈥�
As it is, the competition drew over 150 athletes from three different provinces and one state (North Dakota).
In addition there were 24 local athletes that competed at their home event, although Mitchell feels that that number can also be higher in future years. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not a bad number,鈥� stressed Mitchell. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just that we always hope for more because they don鈥檛 have to travel to compete but right now we have 24 from all ages, from beginner鈥檚 right up to black belts.
鈥淭his is a grassroots development competition more than an elite athletes one up until we get to the black belts. It鈥檚 about having fun and learning and applying what you鈥檝e practiced.鈥�
Poomsae results (local)
Black Belt Male Cadet Koryo 鈥� Tyler Buenneke (gold), Zane Chopik (bronze). Black Belt Male Adult second and third Dan 鈥� Shane Varjassy (bronze). Black Belt Male Ultra 鈥� Victory Surjik (gold).Mitey Mite Female Basic Form 鈥� Elizabeth Young (gold). Mitey Mite Taegeuk One 鈥� Brett Chepil (silver). Mitey Mite Taegeuk Two 鈥� Drune Rugland (gold). Pee Wee Basic Form 鈥� Griffin Hasper (silver). Pee Wee Taegeuk One 鈥� Hannah Surjik (gold), Pressleigh Dingham (silver). Pee Wee Male Taegeuk Two 鈥� Chance Corcoran (silver). Mitey Mite Male Taegeuk Three 鈥� Brandon Novak (silver), John Young (bronze). Pee Wee Male Taegeuk Four 鈥� Jakob Surjik (silver). Pee Wee Female Advanced聽 - Elexa Daigneault (gold), Danika Kluk (silver). Pee Wee Female Taegeuk Six 鈥� Tyana Daigneault (gold). Cadet Male Taegeuk Six 鈥揝imon Dumalski (slver). Cadet Female Taegeuk Seven 鈥� Kallie Buenneke (gold). Adult Male Ultra 鈥� Brian Twardzik (silver).
Sparring results (local)
Black Belt Female Midget 鈥� Kallie Buenneke (gold). Black Belt Male Midget Light 鈥� Zane Chopik (gold). Black Belt Male Cadet Light 鈥� Tyler Buenneke (silver). Black Belt Male Junior Heavy 鈥� Eric Fookes (silver). Black Belt Male Adult Welter 鈥� Shane Varjassy (gold). Female Beginner Midget Light 鈥� Hannah Surjik (silver). Female Advance Midget Light 鈥� Elexa Daigneault (silver). Male Beginner Midget Middle 鈥� Griffin Hasper (bronze). Male Beginner Midget Light 鈥� Drune Rugland. Male Intermediate Ultra 鈥� Brian Twardzik (silver). Male Intermediate Light 鈥� John Young (bronze). Male Intermediate Heavy 鈥� Brett Chepil (silver). Male Intermediate Cadet Heavy 鈥� Chance Corcoran (gold). Male Intermediate Cadet Middle 鈥� Jakob Surjik (silver). Male Advanced Cadet Heavy 鈥� Simon Dumalski (bronze).
