It’s the top event for university students around the globe, and the largest multi-sport competition after the Olympics. Taekwondo is a big event at the biennial Universiade (World University Games), and just because they’re university students doesn’t mean the competition isn’t world class.

While the Canadian team never saw podium, the competitors were first to admit this event is more about gaining experience than winning medals. Reggie Lawrence is a Newfoundland fighter who could become a deadly force by adding serious experience to his athleticism and determination:

The experience was incredible for me… and the biggest thing that I took from this tournament was that I realized the world’s best are not out of reach for me. Going into my first match, I was so confident that I was going to win that I couldn’t stop moving around with anticipation… but this was from total excitement and the anxious desire for wanting to hurry up and fight. I will try to remember and put myself in this state of mind for every one of my fights from now on. I won that match 3 to 0… I have a clear taste of the Olympics now.

Despite being the Bantamweight Canadian Champion, Shannon Condie considers the Universiade useful for honing her skills:

I was excited to have beat China in my first fight as I had lost to her not long ago at U.S. Open. This match showed me where I have matured, but at the same time there are still kinks to be worked out. It was nice to have high level athletes such as China and Korea in my division and ultimately those were the girls I came here to fight.

By several accounts Shannon actually beat Korea in her extremely close (2-1) second match, but questionable refereeing wasn’t in her favour. Like a true martial athlete Shannon shrugs it off: “The ref’ing was generally bad, but as an athlete it is something that we all had to deal with while here.”

Shannon Condie (red) vs. Korea

Shannon reports the Canadian Team bonded well and enjoyed the trip in and out of the ring:

The people of Thailand have been very welcoming — asking us where we’re from and saying hi in passing. Our support staff was awesome! I would like to thank all of them (including our Manager and Coach Scott Woodhouse and Ashley Casteneda) for giving up their home life and paying to come help us out in Thailand.

This year Canada’s Taekwondo team was not funded, so all competitors needed was a university enrolment, a black belt, and a few thousand bucks to fly to Bangkok.

» Official Website
» Photo Gallery
» Next Universiade (2009) website
» Canadian Interuniversity Sport

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