Australia delivered an impressive campaign at the 2026 Kukkiwon World Hanmadang Championships, winning two gold, two silver and two bronze medals against a field of more than 4,000 competitors from 61 countries.
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.
Australia delivered an impressive campaign at the 2026 Kukkiwon World Hanmadang Championships, winning two gold, two silver and two bronze medals against a field of more than 4,000 competitors from 61 countries.
Australian Taekwondo's National Poomsae Team delivered a standout campaign across three international events on the Gold Coast — the 2026 Australian Open G2, Oceania President's Cup G3 and Oceania Championships G4 — collecting a haul of gold and two Overall Team Trophy runner-up finishes. A record 14 Para Poomsae athletes also set new participation and medal benchmarks. With momentum building and depth emerging across the pathway, attention now turns to September's World Poomsae Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea.
As we reach the midpoint of 2026, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been one of the most rewarding and significant quarters in recent memory […]
