Samantha Kassman

Kassman plans to do mentoring for young female taekwondo athletes following her participation at the Rio Olympic Games.

She participated in the +67kg category fight where she was defeated by British number 3 ranked and 2015 Taekwondo World Champion Bianca Walkden 14-1.

The 32 year old returns home to get back to work but will still be training.

She will be working closely with female athletes to develop their game and encourage them to set their sights for Japan Olympics in 2020. 

Despite the defeat, Kassman felt honoured to take the ring against a world number 1 and she is proud to have donned the PNG colours at the biggest sporting event.

Kassman went down to her British number 3 ranked and 2015 Taekwondo World Champion opponent, Bianca Walkden, 14-1 in the +67kg category fight.

Kassman said: “Going into the fight, I knew it was going to be challenging and a hard task but I wasn't nervous nor intimidated.

“I stuck to it and fought all three bouts and I wouldn't have wanted the draw any other way,” Kassman told Loop PNG.

Walkden is the 2015 Taekwondo World Champion and is housemates with fellow Great Britain Taekwondo athlete Jade Jones who has already won gold at these Rio Olympics.

With Samantha stepping on the mat as an underdog, she was competitive in defeat especially going against a taller opponent with a far greater reach advantage.

Unfortunately Samantha was slayed by her more experienced opponent beating her in a more dominant match.