Close to 200 martial artists from 17 clubs across the province will converge on Kelowna this weekend for the International Taekwon-Do Federation British Columbia Cup.
Dignitaries and masters will also be in attendance, along with more than 50 officials and 70 volunteers to ensure a smooth and efficient event Saturday on the UBC Okanagan campus.
The host school, Sundance Taekwon-Do which operates clubs in both Vernon and Kelowna, will have a combined team of 81 athletes.
Competitors will range in age from 4 to 65, and in level from white belt all the way to 6th degree black belt.
Athletes will compete in several different disciplines. The colour belts will compete in both patterns (forms) and free sparring. After the colour belts have completed their competition, the black belts will take to the mats and compete in individual patterns and free sparring, as well as board breaking, special techniques (flying kicks), pre-arranged sparring, team sparring and team patterns.
Doors open at 8 a.m. with the opening ceremonies at 9 a.m., and the colour belt competition beginning at 9:15.
Black belt competition starts at 1 p.m. Admission is free but a donation of a non-perishable food item for the local food bank is appreciated.
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