Blackbird Finishes Second At Provincial Finals

Wallaceburg’s Jewelian Blackbird had an excellent showing at the Provincial Taekwondo Team Trials over the weekend, finishing as the second ranked competitor in the province at weekends end.

Held at Ryerson University, the annual event showcases Ontario’s top five athletes for both Junior and Cadet aged competitors in each weight class. The tournament format was a round robin game in which each athlete competed against every athlete in their respective divisions to determine the best in the province. Six athletes from PCT tested themselves against the best players in the province and came home with one gold, two silvers and two bronzes.

Local Cobra’s Taekwondo athlete Jewelian Blackbird was one PCT team members to reach the podium. After having an upset Game 2 falling from ranked 1st to ranked‎ 3rd in the Junior Female light middle weight division (55-59kg) she had a good showing in the final game, climbing back up a rank. She won her first match with a score of 10-8, won her second match by no contest ( other athlete failed to make weight) and was victorious in her third match with a score of 3-2. In her 4th match to regain her top ranked position it was as close as they come. Final score was 5-2. Blackbird had a weak 3 point high section scored against her, Coach Formosa called for a video replay and lost his card.

“No excuses a win is a win a loss is a loss,” said coach Formosa about the loss. “Learn from this, use this as motivation, and move forward. Some changes are needed in Jewelian’s training and those wheels are in motion.”

Blackbird will be representing Team Ontario at the Junior Nationals in Montreal, Quebec in May 2015.