In a dazzling showcase of martial prowess, Australian taekwondo athletes secured an impressive tally of eight gold medals out of 16 at the recent Taekwondo tournament during the Pacific Games held in the Solomon Islands.
In the fiercely contested women's division, the quartet of Juliet Lahood (49 kg), Stacey Hymer (57 kg), Rebecca Murray (67 kg), and Reba Stewart (+73 kg) left no room for their opponents, delivering stellar performances that earned them the coveted gold. On the men's front, Benjamin Camua (59 kg), Matthew Summerfield (68 kg), Liam Sweeney (80 kg), and Tyrone Staben (87 kg) clinched the champions' titles with remarkable displays of skill and determination.
The momentum carried forward as the 11th Oceania Championship unfolded in the Solomon Islands immediately following the Pacific Games. In an encore performance, Australian fighters once again dominated the competition, securing all gold medals.
In the men's division, Benjamin Camua (58 kg), Matthew Summerfield (68 kg), Liam Sweeney (80 kg), and Tyrone Staben (+80 kg) showcased their prowess, maintaining their unbeatable streak. On the women's front, Juliet Lahood (49 kg), Stacey Hymer (57 kg), Rebecca Murray (67 kg), and Reba Stewart (+67 kg) emerged as champions, continuing the nation's triumphant run.
As an Olympic year approaches, the Australian contingent's dominant performance solidifies their status as formidable contenders on the world stage. To learn more about the selection process for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, please click here to view the team selection policy and expected timelines.
Mackenzie Macdonald has made history, claiming a silver medal in the women's 49kg division at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. This marks a major milestone for the sport in Australia, with Macdonald acquiring the first ever medal at the Youth Olympic Games for Australian Taekwondo.
Mackenzie Macdonald is set to debut at the Youth Olympic Games Tonight. Click here to view her full draw and live stream link.
Australia's Para Taekwondo coaching team recently gathered on the Gold Coast for a coach development and strategic planning weekend, bringing together coaches from across the program to sharpen their skills and map out the next phase of Para Taekwondo in Australia.
The weekend was made possible through a Para Coach Development Grant funded by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). The grant aims to deepen coaches' knowledge of the high performance para environment, helping to build coaching capability and grow Para Taekwondo across the country.
