Kentville Taekwondo team fares well at Wagner’s Challenge

Brother-sister duo bring home double gold

The Kentville Wagner’s Taekwondo team proudly represented the town at a recent competition in Halifax.

At the 28th annual Wagner’s Taekwondo Challenge, all of the representatives of the Kentville club placed on the podium. 4th Dan multiple national medallist Master Devin Balsor, who runs the Kentville club, said he and his coaches are very proud of the efforts put forth by all the members.

A Kentville brother and sister duo, 13-year-old Leland Smith and 14-year-old Jessica Smith, each took home double gold in board breaking and fighting in the Green Belt division.

The event saw more than 200 competitors taking part. Master Carl Fortin, who trained under Wagner’s, brought a small team from Squamish, British Columbia.

Fortin has been featured in several stunts and fight scenes in major motion pictures and, along with his students, put on a board breaking and self-defense demonstration. Two of his students tested for their first Dan Black Belt while in Nova Scotia.

The Kentville Taekwondo club was founded by 8th Dan Grand Master Joe Wagner almost three decades ago.