Olympic taekwondo in city

By Sabrina Byrnes

Northern Ontarians don't have to travel far if they want Olympic style taekwondo training, thanks to the efforts of a local man.

Just over a year ago Mike Larose created an Olympic style taekwondo program at the Falconbridge Wellness Centre, which operates through the City of Greater Sudbury's leisure department. 

Through donations from the City of Greater Sudbury, the community centre, a volunteer committee, members and their families, as well as a good portion of Larose's own money, the program was able to purchase Olympic-regulated flooring and equipment.

Larose, who has competed at  provincial, national and international levels, knows first-hand the challenges faced in terms of training and funding.

"At one point in my life I was heavily involved in Olympic style taekwondo competition. I feel for the Canadians because I went through exactly what they're going through," Larose said.

"Lack of funding, having to travel to Toronto and area six times a year to try and qualify for the provincial and national games."

Larose, who has 22 years of coaching experience and 12 years of experience with full-contact Olympic style taekwondo, said he feels it's important to get kids involved with taekwondo at an early age.

"My goals are to expose Northern Ontarians to Olympic style taekwondo at the earliest age possible so that they can avoid the hurdles that I (faced) as an 18-year-old."

In honour of the taekwondo competition taking place on Aug. 20 at the Olympics in Beijing, Larose is holding a mini-Olympic celebration at 5:30 p.m. the same night.

The event is being held to cheer on the Canadian athletes competing in Beijing and to give the club's younger members a chance to take part in a mini-competition. First, second and third place ribbons will be handed out.

The Olympic style taekwondo program runs Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, with kids' lessons running from 6 to 7 p.m. and adult lessons running from 7 to 8 p.m. The cost is $22 per month. The Falconbridge Wellness Centre is located at 63 Edison. For more information phone 693-2331.