Teams from across Southwest Alberta and B.C. took part in a competition hosted by Kootenay Tae Kwon Do (KTD) at Crowsnest Consolidated High School on April 16.

About 277 competitors took part in matchups and demonstrations of skill including first-degree black belt Brandie Lee, 38, who won by decision against second-degree black belt Marlene Schears, 45, in a three-round early afternoon bout.

“It was a good one,” said Lee. “I knew my cardio wasn’t perfect so I paced myself a little and going into the third round I still felt pretty good. I could see in her eyes that she was tired so I knew I had the upper hand but she was an awesome fighter. She did really well and just came hard at me.”

Lee said she gets nervous before a fight but that her fear quickly turns to elation when she gets into the ring.

“You get the adrenaline running pretty quick, your heart’s pounding, it’s just an awesome feeling though,” she said. “It takes time to get used to it but once you’re in the ring, you’re zoned in and you don’t think anymore because you’re focused on your opponent.”

It was the second fight of the day for Schears who won her first bout and tied her first round against Lee.

She said she takes Tae Kwon Do seriously and claimed to have not slept the night before because of nerves.

“These are great fighters coming out, they want to win just as bad as I do,” she said. “And they train just as hard as I do, maybe even harder.”
Seventh degree black belt and KTD leader Master Sant Saran praised the women’s performances.

“It was a good fight,” he said. “They need a little bit more work but it was a good fight. You never know how many fights you’re going to have a night.”