There could be some future Olympians in taekwondo from New Westminster in the next decade.
The OMAC Taekwondo (OMAC), located at 842 12th St., recently competed poomsae (in patterns) with some of the best athletes from across B.C. and brought back a large medal haul to the local dojang.
A total of 17 medals were won by New West taekwondoins, including two gold, five silver and 10 bronze, at the 2023 BC Master's Cup.
Zion Abenet, blue belt, and Skylar Chen, orange belt, triumphed in their matches to bring the two gold medals in 8-9 girls and boys respectively.
Master Young Suh told the Record he was excited to see so many students reach the podium in the prestigious tournament, especially young ones that have found a passion for the sport.
"With an exceptional display of skill, dedication, and heart, OMAC Taekwondo students had an excellent outcome," he said.
"There were many first time competitors, so many nervous students."
Suh said the athletes are now prepping for the BC Open Taekwondo Championships at Canada Place in Vancouver in February, noting the instructors are hoping to see "bigger and better results."
The BC Masters Cup took place earlier this month at the Richmond Olympic Oval on Oct. 7.
The results from OMAC were as follows:
Gold
- Zion Abenet = 8-9 girls, Blue 1 Stripe
- Skylar Chen = 8-9 boys, Orange Belt
Silver
- Nicole Howell = 19-30 girls, Blue Belt
- Tom Anderko = 12-14 boys, Green Belt
- Maria Bidoy = 12-14 girls, Yellow Belt
- Aika Francelizo = 12-14 girls, Green Belt
- Melody Kong = 10-11 girls, Yellow Belt
Bronze
- Marc Callao = 10-11 boys, Yellow Belt
- Mariyah Mann = 10-11 girls, Blue 1 Stripe
- Kai Ramovic = 10-11 boys, Yellow Belt
- Isaac Santos = 10-11 boys, Blue Belt
- Om Ajgaonkar = 8-9 boys, Blue 2 Stripe
- Carter Mann = 8-9 boys, Orange Belt
- Aiden Santos = 8-9 boys, Blue Belt
- Emeryk Wei = 8-9 boys, Green Belt
- Arianna Francelizo = 5-7 girls, Yellow Belt
- Edith Macaulay = 5-7 girls, Yellow Belt
