Sault Ste. Marie will host an international martial arts championship in July, 2019, which is expected to bring more than 1,000 visitors to the community.
On Feb. 21, the city announced it would be hosting the World Martial Arts Championship-Canadian Open July 25-28, 2019 at the Essar Centre.
The event will feature participants from South Korea, Iran, France, Chile, India, Brazil, Bahrain, the United States and Canada.
It’s the first time the event will be held in Canada; the host organization is Soo Dan Hap Ki Do Cornacchio’s Martial Arts Centre, a local martial arts training facility owned and operated by hapkido practitioners Peter A. Cornacchio and Tracey Cornacchio.
“We’re excited to showcase Sault Ste. Marie next year to the international martial arts community,” Peter A. Cornacchio said in a news release.
“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.”
Tourism Sault Ste. Marie said it would provide assistance to organizers in anticipation of the spinoff benefits of attracting visitors to the city.
“Our team is always looking to secure new events, especially ones that showcase our community on the world stage,” said executive director Ian McMillan in the release.
“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.”
