The Canada Open concluded over the weekend in Vancouver, with Australia's National Pathways and Senior National Team shining brightly, clinching 27 medals.
On the opening day, the National Pathways Team showcased their prowess in tightly contested matches, demonstrating their potential to excel on the global stage.
Jayden Vuong of Revolution Martial Arts VIC, Leroy Morales of Adelaide Taekwondo Academy SA, Mackenzie Macdonald of Halls Taekwondo VIC, Valentina De Robertis of Forza Taekwondo ACT, and Mila Clark of Halls Taekwondo VIC each secured gold medals.
Additionally, Bilal Atay, Aiden Stilley, Samantha Blewitt, Gabriella Blewitt, and Zoe Bassiliadis claimed silver medals. Click here for full results (Cadet and Juniors).
Nine other athletes earned bronze, including, Atharva Pansare of Taya Taekwondo NSW, Leonardo Angell of MUSA Taekwondo NSW, Lucas Sabljak of Halls Taekwondo VIC, Cohen Pettitt of Hartmann Taekwondo QLD, Trinity Hock of Adelaide Taekwondo Academy SA, Jaidah Ly-Diep of Forza Taekwondo ACT, Chelsea Gomez of Taya Taekwondo NSW), Ruby Pappas of Notorious Martial Arts VIC, and Aria Crook of Adelaide Taekwondo Academy SA.
On Day 2, the Senior competitors, including those from the National Performance Centre (NPC), took to the mats, with the event serving as a crucial opportunity for Senior athletes aiming for Olympic selection before the upcoming Oceania Olympic Qualification event on April 6 in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Bianca Motta of Notorious Martial Arts VIC and Bailey Lewis of City West Taekwondo VIC emerged victorious with gold medals, while Saffron Tambyrajah of Notorious Martial Arts VIC secured silver.
Click here for full results (Seniors).
Seth Healy of Melbourne Taekwondo Centre - Malvern VIC, Olivia Roberts of Rawlins Taekwondo WA, Grace Kiefer of Global Martial Arts NSW, Leon Sejranovic of Notorious Martial Arts VIC and Reba Stewart of Halls Taekwondo VIC are all returning home with bronze.
Junior elite participation and emerging seniors continue to face substantial underfunding in Australia, placing significant financial pressure on Australian Taekwondo, athletes, and their families.
Australian Taekwondo extends its gratitude to all coaches, support staff, and member clubs for their invaluable support in travel and preparation in providing athletes with essential resources and supportive training environments.
Our squads will now head to Reno for the US Open Championship, from February 16-18.
It has been an action-packed start to 2024 for the Australian Taekwondo National Performance Pathways program and the tangible outcomes already appear promising.
Athletes kicked off the year in full force with a four-day training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Combat Centre – a multi-sport Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Canberra.
At the age of six, Amy Tierney – now the Owner and Head Instructor at Tierney’s Taekwondo Academy in NSW – discovered Taekwondo through a lucky break. Originally from Ingleburn in the south-west of Sydney, Tierney attempted to take up boxing at nearby Campbelltown PCYC, only to be told by an instructor that “girls don’t box”.
International Taekwondo events are set to return to Brisbane in 2024, with the World Taekwondo President's Cup (Oceania) and the Australian Open confirmed for September 18-22 at Nissan Arena. Open to the world's top black belts, athletes from World Taekwondo's 212 Member National Associations are invited to attend.
