Students from Cochrane's Trinity, Airdrie's Horizon, and Crossfield's Rising Sun Taekwon-Do studios came together at Bearspaw Christian School to compete and show off their skills at an all-day tournament this past weekend (March 10).

Cameron Macdonald, founder of Trinity Taekwon-Do shares 108 competitors from little kickers to black belts attended the 10th annual 'Trinity-Horizon Interclub Competition' which offers a more laid-back vibe to athletes new to the world of competing. "We do this tournament every year and we do it two-fold; to get another tournament under people's belts for those that like to compete but the big purpose is it's an introductory tournament. It is an intentionally smaller, less stressful style of event so people can get used to what tournaments are all about without going to a big one like Provincials or Western Canadian Championships.

While many martial arts studios offer a competition in-house, Macdonald likes the fact that they can provide a similar small feel tournament but competing against athletes they don't regularly see on a weekly basis.

A wide range of skills was demonstrated at the competition as athletes from beginners all the way up to black belts took part. "Even somebody who is used to competing can still compete in this event and get more practice in, it's not just for brand new students."

A couple of highlights, besides seeing his own son compete as a Little Kicker, was a final sparring match between one of his own black belt students and Airdrie's Horizon Taekwon-Do. "It was a really exciting match between two of our leading or top level black belts, so that was fun to watch. And then I had two of my own students compete against each other in a gold level match and that was a good fun one because they are both my own students and they did really well."

Macdonald was also pleased and gave credit back to the families in helping make the local tournament a success. "It just doesn't involve the athletes, it involves everybody. You have parents and siblings there that help out and it's really just a fun natured event but I think that's what makes it so special and successful."

The tournament season is now fully underway with some Trinity athletes headed to Regina to compete in the Western Canadian Championships on April 20-21, followed by the Alberta Cup on June 2 in Lethbridge and Nationals in Calgary in November.

If you would like more information about Trinity Taekwon-Do you can check them out HERE.