Thompson’s local Taekwondo students made a remarkable impression at The Ultimate Taekwondo Super Series (UTSS) held in Winnipeg. This event showcased the talents of nine dedicated participants, including eight enthusiastic white belts and one determined red belt with a black stripe. The triumph of these young martial artists was underscored by the fact that every single one of them returned home adorned with medals.
At the helm of this talented group is Master Chris Byrne, a 5th degree black belt of the World of Taekwondo. His enthusiasm and pride for his students is palpable, as he reflects on the incredible opportunity this tournament has provided for each award-winning individual. “Our local Taekwondo students totally crushed it at last Saturday's tournament!” Byrne exclaimed, “Their hard work, skills, and exemplary sportsmanship not only impressed other clubs but also highlighted the remarkable talent that resides right here in Thompson.”
With an impressive 35 years of experience under his five black belts, Chris Byrne specializes in teaching Olympic Taekwondo to students of various ages for both competitive pursuits and self-defense techniques.
As the Owner and President of Laban Fitness, located in Thompson Plaza Mall, he serves as the driving force behind the Taekwondo classes and training sessions held there. Currently, Laban Fitness is undergoing the tail end of a remodel, with plans for a grand reopening by the end of this year to better serve the community’s fitness needs.
Byrne’s journey to Thompson began 20 years ago when he came to impart his knowledge of Taekwondo in Nelson House. However, he quickly recognized the burgeoning demand for martial arts training in Thompson itself.
After dedicating consecutive martial arts teaching, Chris pivoted from teaching in Thompson to his homeland, the Philippines. What initially began as a simple visit extended considerably due to the impacts of the pandemic. During this unforeseen interval, Byrne dedicated his time and efforts to teaching the valuable skills of self-defense to individuals in the Philippines, further enriching his teaching experience.
This past tournament marked a significant milestone, as it was the first opportunity in five years for Byrne to take his students to compete. The excitement surrounding this event has reignited the passion for Taekwondo in the community, as classes resumed on September 9 and are now in full swing. Building on this momentum, Byrne plans to introduce an adult Taekwondo class in December, expanding opportunities for more individuals to experience the benefits of martial arts.
Training sessions are held three times a week, with additional practices scheduled as future tournaments approach to ensure that the students are fully prepared to showcase their skills.
“The study of Taekwondo is incredibly beneficial for children as it instills values such as courtesy, perseverance, and discipline,” Byrne emphasized. “I strengthen the kids bodies where mixing that with the art of Taekwondo makes great athletes. Hense the reason why they go to tournaments and come home with medals quite often”
Byrne looks forward with anticipation to another fulfilling year of imparting his knowledge of Taekwondo to the eager children and adults of Thompson, inspiring them to achieve greatness and develop strong character through the transformative practice of martial arts.
