Blackbird Looking to Represent Canada

PCT (Petrolia/Cobra’s Team) recently competed at Sport Taekwondo Open on April 06th and 07th at Ryerson University in Toronto. This tournament was sanctioned by the Ontario Taekwondo Association (O.T.A.) for World Taekwondo Federation (W.T.F.) style Taekwondo.

PCT consisted of 25 athletes from Cobra’s Taekwondo Training Centre in Chatham and Petrolia Taekwondo. In total the team brought home 10 golds, 10 silvers and 8 bronzes.

Contributing to the teams total was Brandon Benoit, Keegan Kovar and Jewelian Blackbird from Cobra’s Taekwondo. Brandon Benoit (9) competed in the 9-10 years old yellow belt to green stripe division. He won his first two matches and lost in the finals. Keegan Kovar (7) competed in the 7-8 years old blue to red stripe division. He was victorious in all three of his matches. Jewelian Blackbird (14) competed in the cadet (13-14 years old) black belt division. She won her first match by withdrawal, her second match she beat her opponent with a score of 8-1 and the finals her opponent threw the towel in mid-way through the second round.

This tournament served as a good tune up for Benoit, Kovar, and Blackbird as they are preparing for the Canada Open being held in Toronto May 02–05. This event is ranked as G1 which will give athletes competing; points (additional points for each match won) towards their ranking in the World Championship Ranks. Canada Open is sanctioned by The World Taekwondo Federation (W.T.F.) and the Ontario Taekwondo Association (O.T.A.) and hosted by Taekwondo Canada (TC). It will be televised on the Fight Network.

For Jewelian Blackbird, the Canada Open will be more than just an international competition. She will also be trying out for the black belt Cadet Canadian National Team. If she makes the team she will be representing Canada at the Junior Pan-Am Championships in Mexico in the fall.