Students win martial arts medals at Ontario Winter Games
March 9, 2020
GUELPH, Ontario – Students who learn martial arts at Guelph Family Martial Arts recently returned from the Ontario Winter Games with medals.
The Ontario Winter Games is a four-day event that features nearly 30 sports and the top athletes throughout the province of Ontario. This year’s games were hosted in Orillia, Ontario from February 27 to March 1.
Guelph Family Martial Arts coaches Nathan and Sophie Skoufis brought some Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Catholic District School Board students to the event.
These students had to qualify for the team by attending workshops that tested their martial arts skill, conditioning and teamwork ability among other skills. The workshops took place at the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) Headquarters, and after the workshops the Guelph students were selected to be part of the National Team to compete at the Ontario Winter Games. WAKO is an organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
The Guelph student athletes competed in kickboxing and sport karate during the Ontario Winter Games.
Four Guelph students took home medals. Oliver, a student at Mitchell Woods PS, won the gold medal for Sparring. Kadin, a student at Taylor Evans PS, won two bronze medals, one for Kata and one for the Weapons category. Xavier, a student at John F. Ross CVI, won the silver medal for Sparring. WCDSB student Cole, won two gold medals for Kata and Sparring.
Coach and Upper Grand alumni Nathan Skoufis said, “This was an amazing opportunity to have my students that started with us years ago compete and do so well. They have made this community so proud. I know the work we put in preparing for this event and to see the success they had makes it so special.”
Sophie Skoufis said, “The athletes at the games exemplified what being an athlete should be both on and off the court. I am so proud of them all. This event is an amazing opportunity for young athletes to grow and I really believe the next Olympians will come from this event.”
Congratulations to all the student athletes in our community who participated in this event.