Dear Members,
As we close out another successful quarter, I’m proud to reflect on the remarkable momentum Australian Taekwondo continues to build across all levels of our sport — from grassroots to high performance, and from domestic initiatives to international competition.
This quarter also marked a significant step forward in our commitment to developing our Para Taekwondo programs. We launched our newly formed Para Committee, which is driving forward a series of strategic initiatives to grow the sport nationwide, with a focus on enhancing coach education and athlete development across the Para disciplines. These initiatives will be led by the newly appointed Para Technical Lead Jerry Moraitis. Jerry brings over four decades of experience in taekwondo and has a passion for high-performance coaching, and is looking to develop a world-class para-taekwondo program here in Australia.
As part of this initiative, Jess Borg has taken on the role of QAS GEN32 Project Para Coach, supported through the Queensland Academy of Sport’s (QAS) Gen32 program. This work is essential to creating more inclusive opportunities for participation and high performance, and we're excited by what lies ahead.
In May, our Australian team represented the green and gold at the Cadet World Championships in Fujairah, UAE. These young athletes demonstrated tremendous spirit, skill, and sportsmanship on the global stage, showcasing the depth of emerging talent within our pathways. I would like to give a special mention to Chloe Hor Yan Spencer of Notorious Martial Arts, who fought tremendously and came home with the bronze medal in the F-47kg division. Special thanks must go to our national coaching staff and support team made up of Ali Khalil, Jerry Moraitis and Anne-Marie Smith, whose dedication continues to shape our next generation of champions.
Australian Taekwondo also recently hosted our Senior Selection Event at the Whitlam Leisure Centre in Liverpool, NSW. The Competition saw 137 athletes take the mat across 16 divisions competing for a spot in the Senior World Championships and/or the Australian FISU World Uni Games squads. It was a fantastic and hard-fought day of competition, with many of our champions securing victory in the third round, highlighting the depth and calibre of talent within our senior athlete pool.
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to announce that registrations are now open for two of the most prestigious events on our calendar — the 2025 Australian Open and the WT President’s Cup – Oceania. Set to take place at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre from 14–17 August 2025, these events will bring together athletes from across the world and offer valuable World Taekwondo ranking points. We look forward to welcoming clubs, athletes, officials, and spectators for what promises to be a spectacular celebration of the sport.
Congratulations to Jack Rozinszky of Melbourne Taekwondo Centre on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the 2025 King's Birthday Honours. This prestigious recognition reflects Jack’s outstanding contribution to Taekwondo and his dedicated service to the community.
Thank you to our members, volunteers, coaches, and clubs for your ongoing commitment to growing taekwondo in Australia. A special mention to all our state boards and committees promoting our sport within the community. The energy across our community continues to inspire, and I look forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead.
