When you decide to pursue martial arts in Kitchener-Waterloo, you will become part of a vibrant community! The region is home to regular martial arts competitions, numerous teams, and exciting events. If you decide to practice martial arts, you will have access to numerous ways to showcase your skills.
A Vibrant, Local Scene
Whether you are new to martial arts and looking for “martial arts near me,” or want to step up to your next belt, there are lots of programs to choose from. There are daily programs, weekly programs, competition-specific training, martial arts summer camps, and more.
Kitchener was home to Grand Master Qing Fu Pan, a world-recognized Kung Fu master. The passion for martial arts continues to resonate in the area.
Kitchener hosted the Canadian Open Martial Arts Championships in 2023. Participants from across North America attended the event, representing Karate, Taekwondo, kickboxing, and other forms of martial arts. The winner of the competition, Nathan Skoufis, was a local martial artist, too. It was his tenth time winning the event!
In fact, 2023 has been a golden year for martial arts in Kitchener-Waterloo. A young athlete, 14-year-old Mariana Guerrero, won gold at the Canadian championships, Pan-American championships, and the Youth League in Mexico. Now, she’s been ranked #2 globally for her age group, and aspiring to participate in Youth Olympics in 2026.
It’s not just individual achievements. A team of young athletes from Kitchener also represented Team Canada at the Pan American games for the first time.
Master Rachel Fountain at 5 Rings Taekwondo, a four-time Canadian champion, is aspiring to win medals at the Pan-Am Championships in 2024 and the world championship in Azerbaijan.
Martial Arts in Kitchener-Waterloo is Inclusive for Everyone
Inclusivity is at the heart of the martial arts. One local story that made headlines is the journey of Hamoon Derafshipour, who came to Canada from Iran in 2019 as a refugee. In 2023, four of his students represented Team Canada in the Pan-American games.
Whether you choose to pursue Taekwondo, Karate, or Ju-Jitsu, you will get to meet friendly people who share your interests. Martial arts schools, such as 5 Rings Taekwondo, allow you to meet like-minded people and make new friends.
For young learners, it’s a great way to make friends outside their school group. For adults, it allows you to meet people with similar fitness goals outside your work and family life.
Are You Ready to Become Part of a Thriving Community?
Taekwondo is open to students of most ages and all skill levels. Whether your child wants to try Taekwondo classes for the first time at a martial arts summer camp or pursue their Olympic dreams, 5 Rings Taekwondo can help. If you’re looking for “martial arts classes near me,” they are available during the day, before and after school, and for young learners and adults alike.
Click here to see all the programs we offer. Reach out to us if you have any questions. We are proud to have trained over 500 black belts and continue to be the dojang for high performers in the world of Taekwondo.