The seventh annual Abominable Snow Slam Martial Arts Tournament, hosted by Yorkton Martial Arts Training Centre (YMATC) was held at Dr. Brass School over the weekend.
YMATC chief instructor Mike Forster says the tournament featured athletes from Saskatchewan and Alberta competing in eight different events.
The events at the tournament included empty hand forms, weapon forms, point sparring, weapon sparring, team sparring, light kick boxing, and two power breaking events, one for the ladies and one for the men, Forster reports.
The empty hand forms competition involves a set floor pattern with no protective clothing and no weapons, just utilizing hands and feet, Forster explains.
Weapon forms is similar to empty hand forms using weapons.
In point sparring with hands and feet, athletes spar one-on-one earning single points only using punches and kicks.
Weapon sparring is similar to point sparring with the introduction of weapons such as swords, sticks or bow staffs.
Team sparring is point sparring between five member teams.
Light kick boxing is kind of like a sparring competition between students using 70 per cent contact with outside leg kicks, boxing gloves and head gear. It's not scored on points but by who controls the match.
In powerbreaking, the woman who breaks the most boards and the man who breaks the most bricks is the winner, Forster elaborates.
Of the 100 athletes competing in the event, about 23 were from YMATC. Not all YMATC trainees compete, Forster notes. Some came to watch to see what competition was like or to cheer on classmates, he says.
YMATC is doing very well this year, says Forster. One of the programs, the junior taekwando program filled to maximum. "There's a waiting list for that one," he adds.
The centre offers numerous programs. Forster has a women's self defense program, a three month course, starting Wednes-day, March 9.
Other courses available include the little ninjas, taekwondo, Brazilian Jui-jitsu, haidung gumdo, and a mixed martial arts class for those who want to get into mixed martial arts. There are programs for both youth and adults, Forster notes.
Every new student gets a free trial week in any martial art. "If they try a week in taekwondo and don't like it they can try a week in another program like Brazilian jui-jitsu. We have many different programs to suit many different styles, backgrounds and physical abilities," Forster points out.
All programs are tailored to the individual. Competition isn't necessary to advance, Forster says. Participants can advance through any program at their own pace, he claims.
Forster thanks all competitors for coming out. He also thanks sponsors and volunteers who helped to make the event a success. "I couldn't do it without them. It would be a really, really long day if I didn't have all my volunteers," Forster closes.
Anyone who'd like more information about the YMATC and its programs can call Mike at 621-1555 or go to ymatc.com.
Results for Yorkton area athletes were: Payton Weinmaster, bronze medal; Jarod Weinmaster, two silver medals; Hayden Klepak, two gold medals. Rachel Bartel, bronze medal; Ethan Kirby, gold, silver and bronze medal; Megan Kirby, two silver medals; Gracynn Gurniak-Hudy, two bronze medals; Nicholas Rusnak, gold, silver and bronze medal; Trevor Morrissey, four gold medals; Dean Newkirk, two silver medals; Christine Prescott, three gold medals; Neil Parisloff, three bronze medals; Carter Matychuk, fourth place; Mason Devos-Payne, gold medal; Adam Rusnak, three gold, one bronze medal; Lilliana Hannant, one gold, one bronze medal; Caydan Bayduza, gold medal; Andrew Ross, silver and bronze medal; Colton LaBelle, gold medal; Lane LaBelle, silver and bronze medal; Stephen Abrametz, two gold medals; Peter Couture, two gold medals.
