Brooke Irwin and her brother Jase Irwin, of the Sault, both have bright futures ahead of them in competitive martial arts.

The siblings each won a bronze medal in the 10 and under division while representing Team Canada at the World Karate and Kickboxing Commission (WKC) World Championships held in Albufeira, Portugal from 26 October to November 1.

Fourteen countries were represented at the international tournament.

The Irwin children practice Hap Ki Do, a form of Korean martial art.

Brooke won the bronze medal in the Korean open-handed forms while Jase won a bronze medal in the continuous sparring.

“It was amazing,” Brooke said. SooToday of how she felt being on the podium at the Worlds.

“I felt like I owned this place,” Jase said with a smile.

This was Brooke and Jase’s first time traveling overseas for a sporting event. Both kids were excited to take the eight-hour flight from Toronto to Lisbon, Portugal, with their parents Chris and Tasha Irwin.

“It was exciting to visit another country,” Brooke said.

Team Canada had a large contingent at the Worlds, as did the United States and England.

“It made me happy to win for the country,” Brooke said.

Jase also feels patriotic about his bronze medal.

“It was great. We were able to show that Team Canada is one of the best,” said Jase.

“It definitely made us proud. They worked very, very hard last year. They trained six nights a week. Seeing them on the podium was a very proud moment for us,” said mother Tasha Irwin.

Both men earned their spot at the Worlds in Portugal by winning in a qualifying match in Sudbury, followed by the National Championships in Ottawa.

“They knew the World Championships were in Portugal and they said ‘we’re going to make it happen.’ So when they won at the National Championships in Ottawa, we were happy that they worked so hard and thought “here we go!” “, Tasha said.

Both children hold a blue karate belt, several steps above no belt and white, gold, green and purple belts and three steps below red, brown and black belts.

Students at Notre-Dame de Lourdes Catholic School began practicing Hap Ki Do in 2019 under the direction of Sault Hap Ki Do Grandmaster Frank Sacchetta, then with Rudy Timmerman of the Hap Ki Do Legion. They are currently taught by Head Master Ronda Bourdage of Koong Joong Mu Sool (KJMS) and practice at Anna McCrea Public School on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

“We have good teachers,” Brooke said.

Tasha said the Irwin family is grateful for the martial arts instruction given to Brooke and Jase by many teachers, including Ronda Bourdage, Michael Paciocco, Tina Fuller, John Reid and Wendy Rowe.

The family appreciates the many local sponsors and supporters who have helped the Irwin children on their martial arts journey thus far, including Trimount Construction and Ignition Eatery.

“It’s really fun. I like it. It gives me a feeling of strength,” Brooke said of martial arts.

“I like it because it makes me feel like I’m not afraid and I can use it to defend myself. It’s fun to do,” Jase said.

Both children said they want to continue in martial arts, planning to go through all the qualifying to get to next year’s Worlds in Niagara Falls, New York, with their sights set on gold medals.

“We’re going to train now and in the spring they’ll go to Sudbury to qualify, then if they qualify in the top eight they’ll go to nationals, and if they place in the top four there they will qualify for the Worlds. “Tasha said.

Chris and Tasha Irwin are ready to accompany Brooke and Jase wherever the competitions take them.

“We love to travel,” Tasha said.