A 16-year old Niagara native, and provincial champion, will finally get the chance to compete on home soil this month.
Niagara Falls athlete Violet Yerich has already established herself as one of Ontario’s emerging taekwondo talents, earning Junior and Senior Provincial Championship titles during the 2025–2026 season, and bronze and silver medals at the Taekwondo Canada Junior National Championships.
Yet throughout her competitive journey, Violet has never had the opportunity to compete in a Provincial Championship in her hometown.
That will change October 24–25, 2026, when the Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championships arrive at Canada Games Park, giving Violet the opportunity to step onto the mat in front of her family, friends and home community for the first time.
For Yerich, the moment represents another milestone in a journey that began seven years ago.
She first entered taekwondo at the age of nine as a recreational athlete. Shy by nature, the sport provided an opportunity to build confidence while learning discipline, perseverance and self-belief. By 14, her interest had evolved into a commitment to high-performance sparring, and her competitive career began to accelerate.
Today, Yerich balances life as a student at A.N. Myer Secondary School in Niagara Falls with an intensive training schedule.
She trains locally with Grandmaster Chan Jung, Master Won Jung, Master Minji Jung, Program Directors of Jeong Family Taekwondo, as she continues her development at the high-performance level. Her commitment has already produced impressive results.
During the 2025–2026 season, she captured both the Junior and Senior Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championship titles and has earned bronze and silver medals at the Taekwondo Canada Junior National Championships.
Her development has also taken her beyond Canada. This summer, Yerich was selected by Taekwondo Ontario to participate in the Galeb International Summer Training Camp in Serbia, where she had the opportunity to train alongside athletes from around the world in an elite international environment. But for all the kilometres travelled, competitions entered and experiences gained, the opportunity to compete at home holds a different significance.
“It will be my first time ever competing in Niagara,” said Yerich. “Usually we have to travel outside the region for competitions, so having the Provincial Championships here and being able to compete in front of family, friends and my community is really exciting.”
Yerich also sees the Championships as an opportunity to introduce more people across Niagara to the high-performance side of the sport.
“I think having the Provincials here will help taekwondo grow in Niagara by giving the sport more exposure,” she added.
“A lot of people don’t really know what high-performance taekwondo looks like. Having athletes from across Ontario competing here gives people a chance to see the sport at that level and hopefully inspires more young athletes to get involved”
For Master Minji Jung, Yerich’s progression reflects what can happen when talent is matched with discipline, consistency and a strong support system.
“Violet’s development as an athlete has been remarkable to watch,” said Master Minji Jung – Program Director of Jeong Family Taekwondo.
“She brings tremendous discipline and commitment to her training, but equally important is the confidence and maturity she continues to develop through the sport. To see Violet now have the opportunity to compete at this level here in Niagara, surrounded by the people who have supported her journey, will be very special. She is a wonderful example for younger athletes in our club and throughout the Niagara taekwondo community.”
Yerich’s story also demonstrates one of the lasting benefits of bringing major sporting events to Niagara.
Sport Niagara recently announced that the region has secured the Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championships for both 2026 and 2027, creating consecutive opportunities for Ontario’s top athletes to compete at Canada Games Park while strengthening the sports presence within the local community.
“When we talk about the legacy of hosting sporting events in Niagara, this is exactly what we mean,” Dan Kennedy, Executive Director of Sport Niagara said.
“Yes, these championships bring athletes, coaches, officials and families into our region, but the impact goes much further.
They give young Niagara athletes like Violet the opportunity to compete at home, allow our community to experience high-performance sport firsthand and create moments that can inspire the next generation.
Yerich’s journey is a tremendous example of the athletes we have right here in Niagara, and we’re excited to see her step onto the mat at Canada Games Park this October.”
For Yerich, however, this championship will be unlike any that has come before it. After years of travelling to pursue her sport, this time, the journey leads home.
For more information on Sport Niagara and the provincial championships visit sportniagara.ca
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
