The Kelowna Dragon Spirit Tai Chi Association shined at the Can-Am International Martial Arts Championships, which were held in Vancouver on April 26.
The team of 17 Kelowna martial artists brought home five trophies and 24 gold medals from the international competition and stood out among hundreds of competitors from across North America, said coach and team lead Linda Jia after the event. The team was coached and led by Jia and instructor Ray Qin.
“We’re extremely proud of our athletes,” said Jia. “Their commitment and hard work led to an unforgettable achievement.”
The Dragon Spirit Tai Chi Association members competed in a variety of categories including team and individual events and Tai Chi hand forms, weapons, push hands, disciplines.
The Can-Am International Martial Arts Championships, founded in 1979, is one of Canada’s most established and well-respected martial arts tournaments.
This success marks a significant milestone for Kelowna’s martial arts community and reflects the growing strength of traditional practices in the region, said Jia.
To continue promoting wellness and cultural connection through martial arts, The Kelowna Dragon Spirit Tai Chi Association and the OCCA Communities Association will co-host free Tai Chi workshops every Sunday at Kelowna City Park beginning July 6, until August 31, fro m7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The workshops are free and open to the public, welcoming all ages and experience levels to join.
For more information on Tai Chi in Kelowna, email Anna Lam with the Kelowna Dragon Spirit Tai Chi Association at lindalongyun@outlook.com.
