{gallery}03_19_09/tkd{/gallery}Alex Davis of Billings (left) spars with Dusty Paul, a Lone Wolf student, in recent competition. Davis was named champion of the black belt division during the tournament at Northwest College. Photo courtesy/ C. Wensky PhotographyMore than 175 students compete in TournamentLone Wolf Taekwondo hosted its 16th annual Taekwondo Championships at Northwest College's Hank Cabre Gymnasium March 7, and more than 175 competitors took part in the competition.According to Lone Wolf instructor Chris Ivanoff, the field of competitors was comprised of participants from Wyoming and from communities as far away as Black Hawk, S.D., and Glasgow, Mont. They competed in forms, light-contact sparring and board breaking.

Divisions were set up by age, gender, size and experience. Ivanoff added that competitors ranged in age from 6 to 55.

The sparring competition was regulated by the World Taekwondo Federation and followed the Olympic-style sparring rules for engagement. All competitors were required to wear safety equipment to help prevent injuries while competing. By the end of the event, not one injury was reported, making the championships a positive learning experience for each participant.

The Lone Wolf Taekwondo students from Powell and Greybull provided a very enthusiast demonstration during halftime.

“This is one of the finest martial art demonstrations I have seen in many years,” Ivanoff said. “The students worked very hard prior to the tournament and showed an extreme amount of talent.”

During the halftime celebration, Ivanoff awarded Calvin and Jodie Sanders and Bill and Vickie Prante with plaques for outstanding cooperation. He also expressed his appreciation for their commitment and assistance of other students' parents in making the tournament a success.

“This community has bent over backward to support taekwondo over the past 23 years, and this year was no exception,” Ivanoff said.

Kale Watkins, from Progressive Taekwondo in Riverton, was named outstanding instructor during the event as well.

During the day, Cabre Gymnasium was filled with spectators from across the region. According to Ivanoff, those in attendance were treated to a number of top-notch competitions. He added that watching the black- and red-belt contestants break boards and spar with each other was among the event's highlights.

“This was a day of perfect harmony in one building, and each competitor gained a further understanding of self respect and humility,” Ivanoff said. “This tournament is about gaining new friends from other martial art schools as much as it is a competition.”