Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Brenna Jardine, who competed with Team Bastian in the Muay Thai World Championships from August 1 to 4th! Brenna and a few others who train at Heart & Soul Muay Thai, in Campbell River, BC, travelled to Florida to compete in the IKF World Classic tournament with over 700 participants. Leading up to the event, Sandra Bastian, business owner and coach talked about how "this would be a very new experience for them. It's not like anything they've ever experienced on the island. You've got people from all over the world and the competition is intense".
Sandra moved here with her husband on a whim, two years ago. When asked if she would have ever imagined herself here, she replied "No way! I had no plans on competing like this when we moved here. I've been a fighter for 20 years and I thought I was retired; but, everything just fell into place. It was about the people I met who wanted to compete and didn't have the opportunity. It's taken a lot of time and commitment to organize the team and the trip. Not a lot of fighters or coaches want/are able to do it."
Brenna said she would have never imagined herself competing for a title before she joined the gym; but, practicing 5 to 6 days a week and travelling to competitions in western Canada and Washington have prepared her for her big chance. "It's a ton of work, with practices both morning and night, but it's all worth it. I've wanted to compete for a title since I was young and now I get to compete in this world class event!" She said she wasn't nervous about competing, but just excited to experience the event and see people who practice Muay Thai from around the world.
For the last few months, Heart & Soul has been practicing out of Southgate Middle School, setting up and taking down equipment every day. Not for much longer though because Sandra will be opening her own gym, Heart & Soul Muay Thai, in Campbell River by the middle/end of August. The team was also able to purchase team outfits this Spring, with the support of Seymour Pacific Developments and Broadstreet Properties. "The outfits have really helped pull the team together, especially at competitions. People know where you're from, they recognize the name (Bastion) too" says Jeff Noel, whose wife, Marlene, also competed in Florida.
The team gave it their all and came home with two silver medals. After all their hard work, everything has really come together for the team this year!