Taekwondo

Fiona Johe, Enila Soma, Kevin Kassman and Gideon Mara were among representatives from five other Oceania countries that attended the training camp.

According to PNG Taekwondo National Coach and former PNG rep, Edward Kassman said the two weeks Oceania training camp was run by a couple of high-level coaches from Korea representing World Taekwando. It is believed this is a first for Oceania since the Oceania Taekwondo Union was created meaning it was a new experience for the participants with different levels of intensity for the rising athletes.

Oliver was one of the novices who took part in the 35kg cadet category at the Southern Region championships.

Oliver beat his opponents from Karanas team, Joseph Panau and Shaun Gaudiki of EG Karate club on points in the last day of the championships. He said they do a lot of training at home with his older siblings and that gave him a lot of confidence going into the tournament.

With the Pacific Games coming up at the back end of the year, Taekwondo PNG is not resting on its laurels after a brief hiatus.

In the past months a number of regional tournaments were successfully run in the New Guinea Islands and Momase regions, followed by the Southern region over the weekend at the Taurama Aquatic Centre.

A team from New Ireland, Karanas Taekwondo, also participated apart from host NCD and Central.

Beginning in 2013, the Korean Ambassador’s Cup has gained tremendous interest among Taekwondo coaches and athletes in PNG. The primary purpose of the Cup is to enhance ties between Korea and PNG.

The seminar will be conducted by Stones Taekwondo for taekwondo fighters and interested participants in the region.

This seminar will involve training on the latest sparring techniques and the scoring system used in the Pacific Games and the recent Rio Olympic Games.

Stones Taekwondo owner and promoter master Jamuga Stone said the interest is building as participants look forward to the training.

Stone encourages all Highlands clubs and their provincial Teams to do early registration and medical checks by September 17.

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. 

Pita Taufatofua, ranked 157th in the world, had an unfortunate pairing in the first round with the division's No 2 seed, Sajjad Mardani of Iran.

Mardani demolished Taufatofua 16-1 amid fans chanting "Tonga!" in the arena. Taufatofua described his opponent's attacking leg as "a nightmare" and said his slow start in the fight cost him.

He said he wasn't expecting the enormous reaction to his appearance in the opening ceremony and hinted that he might have something special - but quick - planned for the closing celebrations.

Taekwondo instructor Jamuga Stone believes that with this community initiative, it will encourage youths to participate in meaningful activities and change the mindset to be positive people.

Stone says martial arts can be used as a powerful tool to cultivate strong character and instil discipline within the younger and the older people alike.

 The first gold went to Caroline Marton in the 53kg, Keshena Waterford got the second gold in the 49kg and the third gold went to Carmen Marton in the 62kg category.

The fourth gold was won by Nicole Men in the 73kg category.

 Australia silver medallists were Tassy Stevens in the 73kg heavyweight category behind gold medal winner Moehau Faaite of Tahiti.

Catherine Risbey got silver for Australia in the 57kg behind Mataheitini Raihauti of Tahiti who grabbed gold.

These include one gold, two silver and five bronze medals.

Noelyne Hetana grabbed gold in the 67kg category while the two silver medals were won by Samantha Kassman in the 73kg and Rahab Loi in the 49kg.

Kassman was defeated by gold medallist Nicole Men of Australia while bronze was shared between Venice Megan of Fiji and Tokataake Mwenweata of Kiribati.

Loi was defeated by gold medallist Keshena Waterford of Australia and bronze was shared between Lindsey Gavin of New Caledonia and Taraina Tuihaa of Tahiti.