Blackbird Chooses Progress Over Podium

Cobra’s Taekwondo Training Centre had 9 athletes representing the club and their Sport Taekwondo Team PCT at Sport Taekwondo Open held at Ryerson University in Toronto on April 5th and 6th, one of the largest tournaments that the Ontario Taekwondo Association sanctions.

Jewelian Blackbird(15) opted out of her junior division to compete in the senior (18 years old plus). This was a decision that her and her Coach Ryan Formosa have agreed upon. At locals winning and making podiums is not a goal. Rather use these tournaments as developmental and exprience. Compete at a higher level against more exprienced and ranked players to better prepare for meaningful games(Provinical and National Team Spots).

Blackbird was victorious in the senior division in the quarter finals with a score of 5-1. She met the current Canadian National Champion of the -57kg in the semis. It was a tough match but fell short in a 9-4 loss, finishing with bronze.

Other athletes that competed was Ryan Hoekstra(15) in the 15 – 17 years old intermediate(green belt – red stripe) finishing with bronze. Trenton Blackbird(9) in the 9 to 10 years old beginner (white belt – green belt) making it to the finals finishing with silver. Keegan Kovar(8) also with silver in the 7-8 years old advanced(red belt – black stripe). Qaid Shadd Robinson(11) in the 11 – 12 years old beginner division finished in the quarters receiving bronze. Brandon Benoit(11) competed in the 11 -12 years old intermdiate division where he lost by dq for landing a accidental high section kick (which is illegal in Ontario for colour belt competition). Katlyn Doxtator(16) competed in the recreational black belt junior division winning her first match 3-0 and lost her second match 6-4 in the semis finishing bronze. Oceana Doxtator(16) also compete in the same division on the opposite side of the brackets as her sister and earned gold. Match scores for Oceana was 3-0 in the quarters, 1-0 in the semis and finals 4-0.

Katey Kovar(6) competed in her very first tournament in the 6 and under beginner division. She had a amazing day. She won silver, winning her first match and second match with scores of 11-2, 15-0 and losing the finals by a score of 7-5.

Keegan Kovar also competed the second day in the under 10 years old black belt division ultra light weight division. He beat the only other competitor with a score of 3-0 to win gold. Trenton Blackbird has only been practicing Taekwondo for 5 months still a beginner also competed in the black belt under 10 years old division but in the light weight category.

“I see great potential and so much talent in this athlete, he was staying the second day to watch so I told Trenton lets test the water and see where your at,” said coach Formosa. “Without hesitation Blackbird was all over the opportunity to compete again.”

He won his first match by decision and lost in the quarters 4-2 for the bronze.

Attached Photo:
Front row left to right: Keegan Kovar, Brandon Benoit, Katey Kovar, Trenton Blackbird
Back row left to right: Master Ryan Formosa, Jewelian Blackbird, Ryan Hoekstra, Katlyn Doxtator, Oceana Doxtator, Qaid Shadd-Robinson