Close to 80 martial artists from as young as age five, up to age 45, sliced through a northwest competition here in Terrace last month.
Hosted by Atlantis Taekwondo, the tournament had competitors from Terrace, Smithers and Hazelton duelling at Skeena Middle School March 10.
“My goal with these tournaments is to inspire training, friendships, [build] fun memories and hopefully stir up the northwest to host their own tournaments,” said organizer Cody Skog.
He added that he wants martial artists to have a little bit more experience in the ring.
Speaking of the tournament, Skog was enthusiastic.
“The calibre of taekwondo window was impressive,” he said.
The little white belts “were just fierce through each division,” he said, adding that it was also exciting to watch the sparring in the black belt men's division.
Caption: Aiden Carter executes a swift side kick against an opponent at the March 10 tournament.
Skog says he is grateful to volunteers, competitors and Skeena for helping make the tournament possible.
He has already started organizing and recruiting competitors for another elite black belt tournament in the summer of 2018.
Caption below: Terrace's Jorja Marx, right, takes a hit from Trinity Andrews.
Bottom: Atlantis taekwondo owner and Terrace blackbelt Cody Skog defends against an attack from an opposing blackbelt.
