Vernon’s Sundance Martial Arts stunned Western Canada, winning 69 medals and first place overall at the 2025 ITF Taekwon-Do Championships.
A Golden Weekend for Vernon Fighters
Right from the opening round, Vernon’s Sundance Martial Arts made one thing clear: they came to lead. At the 2025 Western Canadian ITF Taekwon-Do Championships in Kamloops, the local club powered through the competition and left with an eye-catching 69 medals.
Moreover, the event featured 288 athletes from 26 clubs across Western Canada. Yet, despite the crowded field, Sundance surged ahead and claimed first place overall. As a result, Vernon once again proved it belongs at the top of the national martial arts scene.
Medal Count Tells a Bigger Story
In total, Sundance athletes earned 20 gold, 17 silver, and 32 bronze medals. However, the real story goes beyond numbers. Instead, it highlights years of steady training, smart coaching, and strong athlete development.
“This shows depth and consistency,” said Master David White, head instructor at Sundance. “Most importantly, our athletes train every day with purpose. Therefore, these results did not happen by chance.”
Meanwhile, this championship was originally set for Vernon. However, high facility rental costs forced organizers to move the event to Kamloops.
Seniors and Adults Set the Pace
At the senior level, Shawn Donald led the charge. He captured gold in Male Senior 1st Dan Patterns and set the tone early.
Likewise, adult competitors delivered standout performances. Tammi Mills dominated with double gold in Female Senior White Belt Patterns and Middleweight Sparring. At the same time, Brett Bell picked up two silver medals in Adult Male 1st Dan Patterns and Adult Black Belt Sparring. Close behind, Kai McLean earned bronze in both divisions.
In addition, Brianna Sterling impressed with gold in Female Adult Heavy Sparring and bronze in Patterns. Veteran fighter Ken Dickson also added two bronze medals, proving experience still matters.
Junior Black Belts Shine Under Pressure
Meanwhile, Sundance’s junior black belts rose to the moment. Jillian Donald grabbed gold in Female Junior Black Belt Sparring and added bronze in Power Breaking. Similarly, Jack Sharkey secured silver in Patterns and bronze in Power Breaking.
Furthermore, Taryn Froland collected three medals, including silver in Special Technique and bronze finishes in Patterns and Sparring. Clearly, the next generation is already strong.
Coloured Belts Keep the Momentum Rolling
As the tournament continued, junior coloured belt athletes kept the wins coming. For example, Charles Dickson earned silver in Sparring and bronze in Patterns. Likewise, Ailyn McDonagh and Aarish Soneja added key podium finishes.
In the same way, younger divisions delivered wave after wave of medals. Pre-junior standouts like Leo Kim, Logan Russell, and Jed Maleniza helped build Sundance’s commanding lead.
Girls Divisions Deliver Big Results
Notably, female athletes played a huge role in the club’s success. Olta Pajaziti captured two gold medals and a bronze, while Charlotte Johnson and Ashley Ongunel also stepped onto the podium.
Meanwhile, cadet competitors such as Ryder Schubert, Renato Duran, and Julieth Divinagracia added more hardware. As a result, Sundance continued to widen the gap.
Bantam, Atom, and Tigers Finish Strong
Even the youngest fighters rose to the occasion. In bantam and atom divisions, athletes like Nolan Chernichen, Zeina Faour, and Amaya Dudar delivered clutch performances. Meanwhile, Tigers competitors as young as four years old proudly brought home medals.
Therefore, from first-time competitors to seasoned veterans, every level contributed.
A Club Built for the Long Run
Ultimately, Sundance Martial Arts did more than win medals. Instead, the club showed how strong foundations, clear pathways, and daily effort create lasting success.
As the dust settles in Kamloops, one fact stands firm: Vernon’s martial artists are not just competing—they are leading Western Canada.
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