Black Bear shines at nationals

Members of Black Bear recently competed at the Tang Soo Do nationals in Boston, Mass.

Head instructor Darren Tetachuk placed first in men’s black belt sparring; Kaylee Goodman was second in sparring; forms and weapons, and youth instructr Martin Tetachuk placed first in forms and second in black belt sparring. The tournament drew competitors from as far away as Wales, with several grand masters competing, and there were more than 10 in both of the Tetachuk’s divisions.

“Fighting, point sparring, you’re trying to hit and kick each other faster than the other guy,” said Darren Tetachuk, noting Martin also won grand champion honors at an open karate sparring event in Spokane. “He out-shined other guys with their art. Tang Soo Do is like taekwondo, with origins from China. It’s Chuck Norris’s art, that’s what he’s a black belt in.”

Black Bear will travel to Missoula for a tourney in late April.