With the International Taekwon-Do Federation World Championships only two weeks away, Brianna Li, 14, and Nicholas Tiourine, 17, have been preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Vernon athletes will be representing Canada in Dublin, Ireland. The tournament will host almost 1,152 black belt athletes from 61 countries, Oct. 11-16, at the Citywest Hotel and Conference Center.
Li qualifyied in Junior Girls Heavyweight sparring. Li, a grade 9 French immersion student at Seaton, took home a silver medal at the recent Canadian finals in Montreal. After attending training camps in both Montreal and Prince George, she will also representing Canada on the junior girls sparring team.
Li also has the distinction of being the youngest female competitor on the delegation. She has been training at Sundance Martial Arts with coach David White for the last seven years.
Tiourine, a Grade 12 student at VSS, will reach for the stars as he competes in the high-flying special technique division. He also placed second in Canada for the category in Montreal.
This category sees athletes perform five different flying techniques at incredible heights with enough power to move a target with their foot.
Li and Tiourine will join 66 others on the Canadian delegation of 141 people. The championship itself has over 2,100 athletes, coaches, officials and supporters from 62 countries.
“Both of our athletes have worked incredibly hard and have shown the dedication and perseverance shown by true champions. They are proud to represent their school, community and country at such a high level,” said White.
Several local businesses and professionals have donated time and resources to assist the two athletes. They are: Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Real Canadian Superstore, both the downtown Safeway and the Vernon Square Safeway, Kiki Gardens Restaurant, Sunterra Custom Homes, Dr. Dale Henry, Prospera Credit Union, RBC, Swan Lake Nurseryland, Value Plus 3 Percent Real Estate, Dr. Michael Kersey and Davison Orchards.
The event will be streamed for free live on YouTube. Those who would like more information about Taekwon-Do can go to www.sundancemartialarts.com or call 250-306-2285. Classes are now forming