Sault Ste. Marie has been chosen as the site for a major international martial arts tournament that will take place in the summer of 2019.
Tourism Sault Ste. Marie made the announcement this afternoon as our city will be the first in Canada to play host to the International Martial Arts Open which will be held at the Essar Centre over a 4-day period in late July next year.
Alana Kenopic of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie says the tournament will attract hundreds of competitors, coaches and their supporters…

Kenopic talks about the potential economic benefit for our community…

Kenopic says since it is an open event it will feature various martial arts styles and the tournament is being hosted by Kornachios Martial Arts Centre here in the Sault.

Here’s the news release from Tourism Sault Ste. Marie…

Sault Ste. Marie, ON (February 21, 2018) – More than 1,000 delegates from around the globe are descending on Sault Ste. Marie next year. The community has been selected to host the Fourth World Martial Arts Championship – Canadian Open. Taking place July 25 to 28, 2019 at the Essar Centre, the tournament will feature participants from a number of countries, including South Korea, Iran, France, Chile, India, Brazil, Bahrain, the United States and Canada.

This is the first time the event is being held in Canada. The championship is sanctioned under the auspices of the International MooMoo Kwan Hap Ki Do Federation, which is located in more than 44 countries and is now one of the fastest-growing martial art styles in the world. It’s being hosted locally by Soo Dan Hap Ki Do Cornacchio’s Martial Arts Centre. The tournament chairs are Grandmaster Peter A. Cornacchio and Master Tracey Cornacchio.

“We’re excited to showcase Sault Ste. Marie next year to the international martial arts community,” said Grandmaster Peter, who was recently inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame. “We’re very proud of our hometown, and we look forward to working with volunteers and sponsors to host a first-class event that participants and local citizens can enjoy.”

Along with martial arts matches, the 2019 World Martial Arts Championship – Canadian Open will feature demonstration teams from around the globe. The public is invited to attend any and all portions of the tournament at a minimal cost. Ticket and other information will be released in the coming months.

Meanwhile, given the visitor-attraction benefits, Tourism Sault Ste. Marie is providing assistance to organizers. “Our team is always looking to secure new events, especially ones that showcase our community on the world stage,” said executive director Ian McMillan. “The 2019 Canadian Open will inject a significant amount of visitor spending into the local economy, and I thank the organizers for making it possible.”

Tourism Sault Ste. Marie is a division of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation. Several years ago, the organization bought martial arts mats, which allowed the city to host the 2011 International Hap Ki Do Canadian Open. The investment will pay dividends again next year with the 2019 Canadian Open.