Yorkton's Susanne Mitchell recently took part in the CMATC World Military Taekwondo Championships as an event referee.
Mitchell also took home the "Best Referee" honours for the entire event, based on her body of work in all aspects of officiating.
Achieving such a high honour was the culmination of a lot of hard work by Mitchell -- who got into Taekwondo, in the first place, thanks to her son, Matthew Bodnaryk.
Mitchell first became involved in the sport by way of enrolling her son.
As Bodnaryk began to climb the competitive ladder (he is currently testing for his Fourth Dan), Mitchell knew that to in order to watch her son compete, she would have to become engaged in it as well.
"My son (Matthew) is quite a high level athlete. When he started competing nationally, in order for me to travel and save money, I'd have to become a referee," she recalls.
As Mitchell gained her referee credentials, Taekwondo's competitive body would cover the cost of flights for her to referee and watch her son compete in the very same events.
"When Matthew would go compete, I would be selected and they'd cover your flight... so the cost of traveling was a lot smaller than if I was just Matthew's mom going to watch him. It'd be a lot more expensive and I probably couldn't go watch him at these events," she explains. Among the many rewards that refereeing offers, Mitchell says that the ability to take this journey with her son is a particular highlight.
"To watch your son enjoy and do well in it, it's always rewarding for me, anyways. I'm a proud Mom."
Though Mitchell initially began refereeing for solely for her son, the dedication required to climb up the ladder and referee internationally required a great deal of personal commitment and dedication.
As she explains, an international referee is required to be between second and fourth 'Dan' levels.
Each 'Dan' represents a new level of black belt achieved every two years.
As Mitchell achieved further accreditation as a martial artist, the process became more and more intensive.
"It's quite the process, it took me about five years to be just a black belt and then every Dan is 'x' amount of years to achieve," she says.
As an officially certified referee, Mitchell now is in the process of working events in order to earn the official designation of 'first class', the highest achievable distinction. Mitchell is currently a third-class ref.
"Every time you go (to a meet), you get experience and your face is out there, people recognize you," Mitchell indicates.
After being selected by the National Taekwondo body in Canada, by virtue of qualifications and certification, Mitchell was invited to referee at the aforementioned World Military Championships.
Mitchell says that the experience at the Championships was an entirely different one than she is accustomed to.
"Refereeing at these games for me was different because it's army, because it's military," she details, "The whole thing behind CISM (Council International Sport Military) is friendship... because they're always in conflict. You're trying to promote friendship through sport."
The aspect of this event, taking place in St. Jean Richeloux, Quebec, that was different for Mitchell was the participants.
Being the World Military Championships, only army members from other countries were able to qualify for these particularly games.
Mitchell points out the inherent value in the participant criteria.
"It's kind of nice that all these people who are usually in violent situations come together in a sport to compete, even if it's fighting."
She also pointed that, due to their military background, the tone of the event was one of total respect. There was much less protest on referee decisions because of the organizational respect of authority.
On top of the valuable experience that she earned, Mitchell says that receiving the Best Referee distinction for the four-day event was a complete surprise.
"It took me totally off guard."
Mitchell says that earning such an award was the absolute last thing on her mind - especially considering the level of international participation.
"It was a little bit overwhelming when I did receive the award because there are referees with way higher class than myself," she says.
The award itself was not the most rewarding part of the experience, though, Mitchell claims. It was the ability to meet and converse from officials all over the world.
Plus, she says, the way that international visitors regard Canada is very flattering.
"You just meet so many different nationalities and people and they actually regard Canadians highly. They feel Canadians are friendly. Canada is regarded as a very friendly and nice country and they treat us always well," Mitchell recounts.
With yet another international competition under her belt, Mitchell has set her sights high, while recognizing the value of the experience.
"I guess the Olympics would probably be the ultimate goal but it's just a journey along the way," she reflects.
Although the accolades and recognition is nice, Mitchell says that for now, her gratification comes in the anonymity of refereeing.
"When you go... and you get to referee and manage (the match) and the competitors are able to show the best ability and you end the match and nobody knows you, they just like the match, that's the best part."
Spoken like a true referee.
