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Local competes at martial arts games

Twelve-year-old Mason Devos added three medals to his collection on the second day of a trip to the World Martial Arts Games in Bregenz, Austria. "Day 2," says mother Jamie, "two silver and a gold to add to yesterday. Super proud of Mason.
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Twelve-year-old Mason Devos added three medals to his collection on the second day of a trip to the World Martial Arts Games in Bregenz, Austria.

"Day 2," says mother Jamie, "two silver and a gold to add to yesterday. Super proud of Mason. Now to try and get a good night's sleep and off to Rome tomorrow," she wrote following the second day of the event.

Devos is basically competing as Team Saskatchewan, she said, noting that he was the lone Saskatchewanite to make it to the Games.

"He is 1 of 8 (I believe) representing Canada at the games, the only from Yorkton and actually I believe now the only from Saskatchewan," says mother Jamie Devos, electronically, before departing Canada for the trip.

Mason himself, was pretty pumped about going. Upon completion of the tournament, he finished with one medal from each of the five events.

"I competed in five events and won a medal in each of those. I won a bronze in point sparring, a silver in each of the continuous sparring, open hand forms and wooden weapon forms."

He also won a gold medal in the bladed weapon forms. According to him this was no small feat.

"The highest scores at an adult level," he said of his results in that event.

With his five medals, he said he hopes that that does not mark the end of his participation at the World Games.

"It was fun and exciting and I hope to qualify and be able to attend the Games again," he said via Facebook.

He added that it would be nice if it was somewhere in Europe again.

"Bregenz was a cool place to visit and we were able to see and do many things," he said of touring around with mother Jamie.

"The European culture is WAY different from ours and it was interesting to learn and see about it."

Following the conclusion of the Games, which lasted about three days, the Devos' were off to Rome and Italy for five days and then to Paris, France for another five days to tour around.

"Thank you to the Yorkton Martial Arts Training Centre students and families for helping me and my family fundraise to get here. Also a big thank you to my instructors Mr. Mike Forster and Mr. Neil Parisloff for teaching me all I need to know in order to get here (Austria)