Tears streamed down a young Richmond athlete’s face after finding out he won gold at the B.C. Taekwondo Championships on Saturday.
Logan Minshall, an athlete with Richmond Martial Arts and Josiah Kicks Academy, competed in the ages seven to nine division at the B.C. Taekwondo Championships were held in Burnaby on March 4.
Minshall’s mom Kayce Hopwood, said she and Minshall's dad were worried when they saw their son running towards them in the stands after his fourth match.
However, it was not tears of fear or stress. Rather, it was tears of happiness at winning gold in his division.
“He was so happy that he was literally crying the happiest tears,” said Hopwood.
“I think that with everything leading up to the week, he just really wanted to win gold this time. He had it all on the line and that was his goal.”
Minshall won his first match, lost his second and finished off strong with his last two fights during the championships.
Hopwood told the Richmond News that her son was “very nervous” about the championships and that he had trouble sleeping.
“He was very nervous, and he would tell me how unprepared he felt,” she said.
“Just seeing him go through all these feelings is tough, but he really buckled down during his fights.”
About 20 competitors between the ages seven to 26 from Richmond Martial Arts and Josiah Kicks Academy took part in the championships with athletes and coaches taking home 10 golds, seven silvers and four bronzes.
Josiah Davis, owner and coach of Josiah Kicks Academy, said the championships evoked a lot of fun energy from kids and coaches.
Davis added that he was proud of all the competitors’ efforts in their fights.
“The kids continuously show up to practice and they’re all working really hard so I’m glad they go to take part and also see their coaches compete,” he said, adding that facing one’s fear and internal conflict was a major lesson for the kids.
“I don’t want them to back down … and break through their fear and push through it.”
