After a 12-year hiatus, the Korean Martial Arts Centre in Elliot Lake (KMAC) will be hosting the Northern Ontario Martial Arts Championship (NOMAC) on March 24 at Collins Hall.
Established in 1967, KMAC was the first Hapkido club in Canada. Grand Master Inn Shuk Pak moved to Elliot Lake from Korea and opened a Hapkido school along with Grand Master Ivan Bergeron, a school that is still operating to this day. Right now, Kapkido is practiced globally and the KMAC association has grown to over 500 students at eight sanctioned locations across northern Ontario – New Sudbury, Dowling, Sault Ste. Marie (two locations), Valley East, Coniston, Barrie and here in Elliot Lake.
According to Paul Morin, tournament director for the 2018 Northern Ontario Martial Arts Championship, this tournament has been a long standing tradition before its hiatus in 2006.
"A long standing tradition for KMAC was the northern Ontario Martial Arts Championships, which was an open tournament across different styles of martial arts held in Elliot Lake from the early 1980s until 2006," he explained. "After a 12-year hiatus, KMAC is re-instating the annual tournament, which will feature different host cities across northern Ontario. Being the birthplace of Hapkido in Canada and the tournament's original host, the City of Elliot Lake was a natural choice as site for the annual competition's re-launch."
Morin said the amount of competitors is expected to be over 150 drawing more than 350 spectators. He also said that students from KMAC in Elliot Lake will take part and competitors have registered from as far away as Hearst for the March 24 tournament. He also explained that this tournament will benefit the city economically.
"From these competitors, 25 will be from KMAC Elliot Lake, our home club, which registered over 70 students this year," he explained. "The majority of competitors will be from Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay. Some have registered from as far as Hearst and Barrie. The event is bringing a measurable impact to our local economy, which would otherwise not be possible without support from dozens of volunteers and ELNOS, our premier sponsor."
Morin is encouraging Elliot Lake residents to come to Collins Hall to see international-level competitors with the tournament beginning at 11 a.m. Competitors can register between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
"We are looking forward to an action-packed day of fun featuring many international-level competitors across various styles of martial arts. Spectators are encouraged to attend to cheer on local competitors for $5 at Collins Hall on March 24 at 11 a.m," he explained. "KMAC Elliot Lake holds regular Hapkido classes for children and adults on Tuesday evenings at our dedicated training facility at 6 Elizabeth Walk."
For those wanting to compete in the tournament, visit here to register. Price listing is available on the website. The tournament participants will compete in:
- Forms
- Team forms
- Self-defense
- Weapons
- Point sparring
For more information about classes or about the tournament, please call 705-849-8450.