Members of the Airdrie World Class Taekwondo Academy exemplified their dojang's name at the recent Alberta Open Taekwondo Championship, hosted in Edmonton on March 25.
Grand Master C.K. Chae, the owner of the dojang located in downtown Airdrie next to the public library, said eight of the academy's young athletes made the trek north to Alberta's capital, and each brought back at least one medal.
In total, the eight Airdrie World Class Taekwondo Academy students – who range in age from six to 14 years old – returned with nine golds, two silvers, and three bronzes.
Among the students competing was Master Chae's own son, eight-year-old black-belt Lian Chae. The Grade 3 Nose Creek Elementary School student-athlete won gold in his sparring division and bronze in the Poomsae (a defined pattern of defense-and-attack forms).
Lian Chae said what he enjoys most about taekwondo is the opportunity to learn new skills, develop confidence, make friends, and improve his attitude. He is no stranger to provincial-calibre competitions, as he previously earned gold and silver at the Alberta Taekwondo Association’s annual K.H. Min Invitational Taekwondo Championship, held in Edmonton last October.
Other medal-winning athletes from the Airdrie dojang on March 25 were mostly yellow or orange belt-holders: Taylor Isiche, who won gold in both sparring and Poomsae; Daniel Mioc, who got bronze in sparring and gold in Poomsae; Nicole Kim, who earned gold in sparring; Daniel Kim, who earned gold in sparring; Ray Herijaona, who received bronze in sparring; Cristina Mioc, who won gold in both sparring and Poomsae; and Lia Chae, who claimed silver in sparring and gold in Poomsae.
Master Chae said now that the Edmonton meet is over, the academy's members will resume their training throughout the spring and summer, in preparation for their next big competition in the fall: a national open taekwondo championships hosted in Calgary on Sept. 23, in conjunction with the Korean Ambassador's Cup.
He added it's the first time Calgary will host the competition, which is usually put on in either Vancouver or Toronto, and that he hopes to send even more athletes to compete from the Airdrie World Class Taekwondo Academy.
In addition to the competing athletes, Master Chae said the dojang's demonstration team has also been invited to perform their well-practiced group choreography on Sept. 23.
“It’s a very big opportunity for our students and our demonstration team,” said Master Chae, who also participates as a member of the demo team. “I’m very excited. We do many demonstrations – airdrieFEST, Calgary Korean Festival – and we have a lot of experience.
“This one will be a big championship demonstration. They’re a little nervous, but it’s exciting. [They only pick] one demonstration team, and this year, they picked ours.”
