Local competitors win medals in Michigan

Cobra’s Taekwondo Training Centre had three athletes attend the Michigan-Midwest Championships on Dec. 7, and all made the podium

Keegan Kovar, 8, competed in the 8-9 years old blue to red stripe division. He was victorious in the semifinals with a score of 20-4, and finished with silver losing 11-6 in the finals.

Brandon Benoit, 10, still a green stripe moved up to the green belt, blue stripe, blue belt, red stripe 10-11 years old division.  Brandon also finished with silver.  He won the quarters 8-0, semis 8-7 and lost the finals 10-4.

Jewelian Blackbird, 14, competed in the Cadet Olympic Division. Blackbird finished her final cadet competition with gold.  She took the first match 12-2, won the quarters 10-0, semis 5-2, and the finals never happened as the athlete threw the towel in prior to the start of the match.

Blackbird also competed in the Junior Olympic division. Both Olympic divisions were run double elimination.  Her first match was against the eventual gold medalist with a close match 5-3.  Coming back through the double elimination bracket, she won her next match 14-2.  That set up a meeting with the 2013 Junior Pan-American champion. Blackbird fell 5-0 and finished with bronze in this division.