The Seventh Annual Abominable Snow Slam went by Saturday afternoon at Dr. Brass Elementary School.The martial arts showcase went on until about 6 p.m., as competitors from all over Saskatchewan and some from Manitoba challenged each other in various events.
Mike Forster, instructor at the Yorkton Martial Arts Training Centre (YMATC) was part of the club that hosted the event said it was a pretty good day and most of the competitors were able to get to Yorkton without problem."The morning went by fast," he said, adding that he expected that it would go into the early evening by the time the last event got finished.
About 90 people, both fighters and spectators crowded the gym floor, he said.
It's also a lot of work that goes into it but added that it gets easier each year because he knows moreless what to expect.
"The first year was obviously the most work, but every year it gets easier."
As for results of the various events from Forster's club, local winners included Trevor Morriseey, who took home four gold medals. He competed in empty hand forms, weapon sparring and points sparring. Christine Prescott collected three gold medals, fighting in empty hand forms, points sparring and weapons sparring.
Other gold medal winners were Hayden Kiepak, Ethan Kirby, Nicholas Rusnak. Silver medals were won by Jaron Weinmaster (2), Kirby, Megan Kirby, Rusnak, T.J. Morrissey and Dean Newkirk. Neil Parisloff led the third place winners with three bronze medals. Newkirk had one, Rusnak had one, Gracynn Gurniak-Hudy had two, Ethan Kirby had one, Rachel Bartel had one and Payton Weinmaster had one.
The day also included a board breaking demo and weapons sparring.
"The kids really like it," says Forster.
