NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH FAMILY MARTIAL ARTS
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Guelph Family Martial Arts Competition travelled to the Ontario Grand Nationals Martial Arts Championships in London, Ont. The event drew top competitors throughout the country and into the United States. Bringing 7x Canadian Titles back to Guelph.
The team is coached by the Master Nathan Skoufis and Master Sophie Skoufis, the area’s most well-known instructors and multiple time world champions and owners of Guelph Family Martial Arts and Guelph Fitness Kickboxing.
Master Sophie Skoufis is a multiple time champion in the black belt division at the Ontario Grand Nationals. Master Nathan Skoufis is a multiple time champion at the Ontario Grand Nationals. Nathan also was the youngest ever competitor to claim grand champion at the event claiming the title at age 14.
Head Instructor and Team Coach Nathan Skoufis said “It is a difficult competition that draws many of the top competitors throughout the country. It is an event I first attended in 2003 as a spectator and 2006 as a competitor. It is an awesome experience having your own students compete and going through that journey with them it brings back a lot of memories.
They all trained so hard for the event, I am so proud of them. It is really rewarding for me as a coach and is a unique opportunity to help these athletes towards achieving their goals in combating fear, anxiety, self- doubt among other aspects. I am really fortunate. I know what a great coach did for me in my competition career, my mom Sophie has been coaching me around the world since I was around 10 years old and has been a mentor in my martial arts journey from age 6 when I started.
They should all be very proud, as they have represented the community so well on the national stage. Master Nathan Skoufis is a 16x World Champion, 5th degree black belt, Member of Team Canada and has worked with UFC Fighters and Olympians. Master Sophie Skoufis is a Multiple Time World Champion, 5th Degree Black Belt, Member of Team Canada and experienced Sparring Coach and mentor.
The team trained for months in preparation for the event.
Results were as follows:
Justin Tu- Gold 15-17-year-old advanced boys sparring
Matylda Daza- Gold 35+ years old novice women’s sparring
Rob Pisciuneri- Gold 18-34 years old advanced men’s sparring
Feng Lee- Gold 35+ years old men’s advanced weapons, Gold 35+ years old men’s advanced musical weapons and Silver 35+ years old men’s advanced kata
Erin Grant- Silver 18-34 years old women’s advanced kata, Gold 18-34 years old women’s advanced weapons, Gold 18-34 years old advanced women’s sparring
The team will next be in action in Mississauga, Ont. at the Ontario Open.
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