Junior Black Belt awarded Unalan Cup
Michael Nyugen is a very impressive young player. Competing at the STA Victorian Championships last weekend he so impressed the officials that he was awarded the Unalan Cup for best Fighting Spirit.
The Unalan Cup is an award presented in memory of Mahir Unalan, a player respected for his tenacity and fighting spirit.
Michael is a student at Yun Jung Taekwowndo in Springvale and is pictured with his Head Instructor and Coach, Master Yun Jung Bang.
We have no doubt that we will be hearing of Michael's future success!
STA – Athletes First
Mahir Unalan
30 Sept 1980 – 03 July 2010
Mahir winning Gold at the Commonwealth Championships
It is with deep regret that we inform members that Mahir Unalan unfortunately passed away as a result of a tragic accident on 3rd July 2010. Mahir was 29yrs of age.
The Australian Taekwondo community has lost one of its long standing and promising athletes who was admired nationally and internationally for his fighting spirit, his great and friendly nature and his commitment to our sport.
As a member of many Australian Teams, Mahir had a long National and International career in Taekwondo. He was a member of the Olympic Shadow Team and was a role model for many up and coming young Australian athletes. He was well liked and respected in the Taekwondo community in Australia and around the World - he will be sadly missed by everyone.
Testiment to the legacy he has left are the many deep felt notices left on Mahir’s Facebook. He touched the hearts of everyone he came into contact with. A more dedicated hard working, committed athlete who gave it his all every time he competed, you would not find. He was an admired athlete having won countless State and National titles and had the honour of representing his country on many occasions.
Sports Taekwondo Australia sends our deepest condolences to Mahirs family.
Steven Currie - Australia’s First World Taekwondo Champion
We are delighted to announce that Steven Currie an Australian STA National team member competing at the 2nd WTF World Para-Taekwondo championships held in St Petersberg Russia on 11th May 2010, won gold in the men’s Welter weight final.
Our congratulations go out to Steven who now becomes Australia’s first World Champion in the sport of Taekwondo.
Steven, who is a member of the STA Athletes Commission, won Bronze at the 1st WTF World Para-Taekwondo Championships held in Baku, Azerbaijan in June 2009.
The STA Board and the entire Australian Taekwondo Community wishes to extend its sincere congratulations and best wishes to Steven on a fantastic result.
Steven beat Russia 14-5 in his initial bout and followed up this great performance with a 18-6 win over Finland. He then defeated Iran 15-9 in the final to become the World Champion in his weight division.
STA also wishes to thank Jols his sponsor who supported Steven in his World Championship endeavours.
STA - Athletes First
Grandmaster Yong Dai Cho Named Chairman, STA Senior Masters Advisory Commission and Advisor to STA Board
The STA Board of Directors is extremely pleased to announce that Grandmaster Yong Dai Cho has been selected to Chair the STA Senior Masters Advisory Commission.
In this role he has simultaneously be named as an ex-officio member of the STA Board as Senior Advisor.
Click here to read announcement.
STA - Athletes First
STA Appoints Warren Hansen as National Director of Events
Melbourne, Victoria – 27th March 2010 --The STA Board has appointed Warren Hansen, Director of PTF Events, as the inaugural STA Director of Events.
Click here to read announcement.
STA - Athletes First
World Junior Championships - Day 4 Results
One more Australian junior fighter made it to the Quarterfinals on Day Four in the 8th WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships in Tijuana, Mexico, another had two impressive victories before being knocked out of the competition. The results from the final day of competition on Tuesday were:
- James Iriyadi from Titans Taekwondo in Victoria defeated New Zealand 4-2 in his opening Male Under 63kg match, and followed that with a decisive 5-2 victory over Lebanon. In the third round James lost to Canada 7-4 in a closely contested match.
- Enise Ayanlar from Powerhouse Taekwondo in Victoria lost 3-0 to Serbia in her opening round Female Under 55kg match.
- Chynea Lang from Titans Taekwondo in Victoria defeated Senegal 13-2 in her Female Under 46kg division match and followed that with a rousing 23-15 victory over Iran in round two. She then lost 8-0 in the Quarterfinals to host country Mexico.
- Paul Otago from Charles Rawlins Taekwondo in Western Australia lost to Korea 19-0 in his first round match.
STA - Athletes First
World Junior Championships - Day 3 Results
One Australian junior fighter made it to the Quarterfinals on Day Three in the 8th WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships in Tijuana, Mexico, while the other four all lost their first matches. The results from Day Three on Monday were:
- Michael Metaxotos from Joon No's Taekwondo defeated the Philippines 10-4 in his opening Male Under 45kg match, and followed that with an impressive 7-3 victory over Mongolia. In the Quarterfinals he lost to host country Mexico 17-1.
- Kanica May from Joon No's Taekwondo in Victoria lost 7-12 to Thailand in the Female Under 42kg division.
- Clare Francis from Charles Rawlins Taekwondo in Western Australia lost 13-0 to Croatia in the Female Under 52kg division.
- Mohammad Abdallah from Fighting Lyons in Victoria lost 13-1 to China in the Males Under 68kg division.
- Kyle Parmley from Focus Taekwondo in Queensland had a bye in the first round when his competitor from China failed to make weight in the Male Under 78kg division. He than lost 15-1 to Portugal in the second round.
Australia has four fighters competing on the fourth and final day of the WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships on Tuesday (Mexico time).
STA - Athletes First
Former Taiwan National Champion Named as STA Development Coach
Sports Taekwondo Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of former Taiwan National Champion Ms. Hsuan Jen “Zen” Lin as an STA Development Coach.
Click here to read announcement.
STA - Athletes First
STA Warmly Welcomed into WTF Family
Sports Taekwondo Australia was warmly welcomed into the World Taekwondo Federation family this week in Mexico. STA Chairman Steven Howard (left position) is shown with WTF President Dr. Chungwon Choue and WTF Vice-President and OTU President Phil Coles following the WTF General Assembly in Tijuana, Mexico.
Click here to read announcement.
STA - Athletes First
World Junior Championships - Day 2 Results
The results for day two for the Australian competitors in the 8th WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships in Tijuana, Mexico were:
- Benjamin Belangue from Powerhouse Taekwondo in Victoria lost his first round fight 13-0 to Brazil in the Male Under 51kg division.
- Kostan Ioannou from Joon No's Taekwondo in Victoria beat Indonesia by a Golden Point 3-2 in the Male Under 73kg division in his first fight, then lost 5-4 to Brazil his second time out.
- Bryanna Cheong Wei Shi from Joon No's Taekwondo in Victoria was defeated 14-5 by Thailand in the Female Under 44kg division.
- Nadine Venter from Charles Rawlins Taekwondo in Western Australia lost 5-0 on at TKO to Croatia in the Female Under 63kg division.
STA - Athletes First
World Junior Championships - Day 1 Results
It was a busy day for all four Australian fighters on Day One at the 8th WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships as each won their first matches and two made it through to the Quarterfinals of their respective divisions.
In a very tough field, featuring over 750 athletes from 85 countries, the Australia team got off to a fast start in winning all of their first four matches, two in spectacular comeback fashion.
The results for the day were:
- Cem Kahraman from Powerhouse Taekwondo in Victoria started strong in the Male Under 55kg Division by beating Portugal 8-2 and the Netherlands 10-1. He then fell to Russia 11-7.
- Renae Perkins of Rawlins Takewondo in Queensland fought back from a 10-4 deficit to win her opening match against Ivory Coast 12-10 in the Female Under 49kg Division. She was then out-pointed 9-5 by Norway in her second round.
- Emily O'Sullivan from Rawlins Taekwondo in Western Australia won her first two matches in the Female Under 68kg Division with a close comeback victory of 8-6 over Venezuela, followed by a 3-2 win over Turkey. She was then stopped 16-4 by Korea in her Quarterfinals match.
- Courtney Sinclair of Hall's Taekwondo in Victoria scrapped through with a 2-1 victory over Germany in the Female Over 68kg Division, but then lost 2-0 to Croatia in the Quarterfinals.
STA - Athletes First
YOG Qualification Event - Day 2 Results
Australia's two remaining fighters in the WTF Youth Olympic Games Qualification Event in Mexico lost their opening matches on the second and final day of the competition.
Jason Noh from Hong's Taekwondo in NSW lost 7-2 to Ukraine in the Male Under 63kg division, while Taiha Gorton of Taekwondo Oh Do Kwan in Western Australia was beaten 24-2 by Sweden in the Female Under 55kg divsion.
The athletes get a day of rest on Friday, with the WTF World Junior Championships beginning on Saturday morning.
STA - Athletes First
YOG Qualification Event - Day 1 Results
Australia's four fighters on day one of the WTF Youth Olympic Games Qualification Event in Mexico were all eliminated in early rounds
Cem Kahraman of Powerhouse Taekwondo in Victoria advanced the furthest, winning his first two matches in stellar style in the Men's Under 55kg division (6-3 over Sweden and 14-2 over Argentina). He went down to Egypt 9-3 in the third round.
Anja Vukomanovic of Titans Taekwondo in Victoria had a bye in the first round, and then dropped her second round fight in the Female Under 63kg division 6-1 to a former European Junior Champion from Germany.
In the Men's Under 73kg division, Mohammad Abdallah of Fighting Lyons in Victoria was out-pointed 6-4 by Great Britain in the first round, while Courtney Sinclair of Hall's Taekwondo in Victoria fell 12-1 to Croatia in the Female Over 63kg.
Over 320 athletes from 85 countries are competing in the WTF Youth Olympic Games Qualification Event, at which 30 athletes will qualify to participate in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August. Australia has two fighters competing on day two of this tournament.
STA - Athletes First
Ryan Carneli Named to STA Board and Head of STA Athletes Commission
The Board of Sports Taekwondo Australia has named Olympian athlete Ryan Carneli as Head of the STA Athletes Commission and simultaneously appointed him to the STA Board of Directors.
Click here to read announcement.
STA - Athletes First
OTU Poomsae Judging Certification Seminar
STA is proud to host a OTU Poomsae Judging Certification Seminar in Melbourne on Sunday 7 March.
Attendees that successfully complete the seminar will be OTU Certified to judge at poomsae tournaments throughout the Oceania Taekwondo Union region.
Seminar details and Application form can be view by clicking here. Applications for the seminar close on 1 March.
STA - Athletes First
Australian Junior Team - Chaperone
Expressions of Interest for the position of Chaperone for the Australian Junior Team contesting the Youth Olympic Games Qualification Tournament and the World Junior Championships in Mexico are now invited - further details and an application form are available by clicking here.
Faxed applications close on Thursday, 18 February.
STA - Athletes First
Rene Leveaux Appointed As Referee For WJC and YOGQ Tournaments
Sports Taekwondo Australia congratulations OTU Head of Referees and STA Member Rene Leveaux on his appointment by the World Taekwondo Federation as a Referee for the forthcoming WTF World Qualification Tournament for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games and the 8th WTF World Junior Championships.
Rene is one of only 24 International Referees appointed to officiate at these two prestigious WTF benchmark events, both of which will be held in Tijuana, Mexico in early March.
"Rene is one of the most experienced Taekwondo International Referees in Australia," notes Daniel Trenton, STA Director of Sports. "He has tremendous experience in refereeing at major WTF tournaments, including most recently at the WTF World Championships in Copenhagen and at the Paris Open. It is a great honor for OTU and STA to see him again selected by the WTF for the first two major tournaments in 2010."
Also selected to as a referee from Australia for these two events is Sam Loiacono. "Australia is one of only three countries in which two International Referees have been chosen by the WTF for these two tournaments," observes STA Board Member Trenton. "This is a testament to the quality of the International Referees in Australia and is a recognition by the WTF of their ability to control world-class matches with fairness, diligence and dignity."
STA - Athletes First
Kukkiwon Recognises STA
Following on from the WTF decision to admit STA as its full member, the Kukkiwon has written to STA recognizing STA under its rules as the MNA (Member National Association) for Australia.
Consequently, the Kukkiwon will continue to provide Kukkiwon Poom/Dan certificates to STA at discounted rates. STA is pleased to be the only Taekwondo association in Australia that has the right as the WTF MNA to access Kukkiwon Certificates at such discounts.
Please note that those applying for discounted Kukkiwon Certificates are required to be registered members of STA.
STA - Athletes First
2010 STA Membership Details
STA has released its Membership details and fees for 2010 - refer to the Membership page for application forms. Clubs wishing to be affiliated with the World Taekwondo Federation should join STA as Affiliate Members.
STA - Athletes First
Three Australians Chosen as Referees for WTF World Championships
Three Australians have been chosen as Referees for the WTF World Championships in Copenhagen next month, including Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU) Referee Director Rene Leveaux.
Joining Rene as Referees at the WTF’s most prestigious event this year will be Kerry Maynard-Lister and Sam Loiacono. “This is a major honour for all three of these individuals and STA congratulates them each,” notes STA Chairman Steven Howard. “STA is very pleased that the WTF has recognized the expertise, professionalism and competency of our referees in Australia. We know they will perform up to expectations, even under the intense pressure and scrutiny that comes with refereeing World Championship matches.”
Australian Team Selected for WTF 4th World Poomsae Championships
The Australian Team to compete at the WTF World Poomsae Championships in Cairo, Egypt in November was determined at the Poomsae Team Selection tournament at the AIS last Saturday.
The 2009 Australian Poomsae Team are:
Males
14-18yrs Kyle Knowles
19-30yrs Harry Kim
31-40yrs Craig Barrett
Females
14-18yrs Brittany Ryan
19-30yrs Selena Kearney
41-50yrs Carmela Hartnett
Mixed Pairs
14-35yrs Kearne Lee and Selena Kearney
14-35yrs Ross Campbell, Ewen Lee, Kearne Lee
Congratulations to all those that competed at the selections.
STA - Athletes First
WTF World Championships Team Selections a Great Success
The Selection event to determine the Australian Team to contest the WTF World Championships (Sparring) was conducted on Sunday 16 August at the AIS in Canberra. The event was a huge success and featured the use of the LaJUST Electronic Body Protectors as will be used a the WTF World Championships in Denmark in October.
The Australian Team to compete in Copenhagen are:
Male Athletes
-54 Cameron Sutton WA
54-58 Gylan Al Atroushi NSW
58-63 Safwan Khalil NSW
63-68 Hayder Shkara NSW
68-74 Burak Hasan VIC
74-80 Mahir Unalan VIC
80-87 Peter Vassily NSW
87+ Byron Coleborne Qld
Female Athletes
-46 Jasmine Branca VIC
46-49 Sinead Smyth WA
49-53 Bianca D'Andrilli VIC
53-57 Jessica Jordan WA
57-62 Carmen Marton VIC
62-67 Chloe Iriyadi VIC
67-73 Amy Ash WA
73+ Ruth Rowe SA
For a full listing of results click here.
STA - Athletes First
STA to combine Junior World Championships Selections with inaugural Australian International Tournament in Perth (30 Oct - 1 Nov)
The Altone Park Leisure Centre near Perth will be the venue of the Sports Taekwondo WTF World Junior Championships Selection Event, which will be held in conjunction with the inaugural STA Australian International Tournament, in late October. The 8th WTF World Junior Championships are slated for Tijuana, Mexico on February 22-25, 2010.
In announcing the STA Australian International Tournament, STA Chairman Steven Howard notes, "STA will be inviting athletes from Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and the WTF member nations of the Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU) to compete with our Australian fighters and Poomsae participants. This will be the most international Taekwondo event to be held in Australia this year, and we plan to make this STA Australian International Tournament a permanent fixture on the Australian Taekwondo calendar."
The STA Australian International Tournament will comprise both Poomsae and Sparring, and will also feature a special Poomsae Seminar led by a member of the STA Senior Masters Advisory Group and a Coaches Clinic on lessons learned from how the new WTF Rules were implemented during the 2009 WTF World Taekwondo Championships in Copenhagen.
Specific details about both events will be forthcoming soon, with the three-day event tentatively schedule planned as follows:
- Fri 30 Oct: STA Australian International Poomsae Championships
- Sat 31 Oct: Junior World Championships Selections / STA Coaches Clinic / Poomsae Seminar
- Sun 1 Nov: STA Australian International Sparring Championships
The dates for these two events are fixed, but which event occurs on which day is subject to change. The venue for both the Junior World Championships Selections and the STA Australian International Open Tournament will be the Altone Park Leisure Centre, which is approximately 15-20 minutes from both the Perth airport and a wide range of convenient accommodation.
"This is an event athletes will not want to miss," says STA Director of Sports Daniel Trenton. "As a former Olympic athlete and coach, I cannot overstate the importance for our athletes to test themselves against international competitors whenever the opportunity arises. Doing so is a critical component of their development as internationally competitive athletes."
"STA will again work closely with AOC and ASC to secure government funding for the Australian team participating in the 8th WTF World Junior Championships," adds STA Chairman Steven Howard. "There are no guarantees, of course, but hopefully we can obtain funding similar to what is being provided to the team going to the 2009 WTF World Taekwondo Championships, as well as funding a development training program for our country's elite junior athletes."
STA - Athletes First
OTU Refree Seminar and Refresher - AIS 3rd October
The Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting an OTU Referee seminar and Referee Refresher course.
The course will be held on 3rd October 2008 at the Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce, ACT
The Oceania Taekwondo Union is the WTF's continental Union for the Oceania region and consequently, successful participants will obtain a referee accreditation which is recognised by the WTF and the OTU.
This seminar is suitable for the following persons:
- Those who wish to undertake their first Referee course
- Those who wish to refresh and learn about all the recent changes and developments.
- Those who wish to upgrade their existing qualifications
For more information click here.
To download registration form click here.
Martial Arts and Combat Sport Games 2010
The following is an extract of the minutes of the GAISF annual congress meeting held in Athens in June 2008 which proposes that there be established a Martial Arts and Combat Sports Games to take place in 2010 and to be held every 4 years. The games would involve all martial arts and involve in excess of 1,500 participants. The host city is to be announced in December 2008. This very exciting event will provide athletes with even greater opportunities for high level international competition. STA will announce further details very soon.
AGENDA ITEM 12: MARTIAL ARTS & COMBAT SPORTS GAMES Council Member Antonio Espinos Ortueta, President of the WKF (Karate) and President of the GAISF Martial Arts Commission, reported on the progress of the GAISF Martial Arts & Combat Sports Games initiative.
The participants in these Games would be the thirteen GAISF member martial arts and combat sports federations: aikido, boxing, judo, ju-jitsu, karate, kendo, kickboxing, muaythai, sambo, sumo, taekwondo, wrestling and wushu. The event was scheduled to take place every four years with the first Games being held in 2010.
The main objectives of the project were to create a global sports event that would give more visibility to the martial arts and combat sports, to promote the Olympic values and to guarantee the participation of the best athletes from each of the 13 sports. Each IF was expected to send 80 athletes and 40 coaches and trainers, which meant around 1,500 people in all. The competition would take place over 8 days in 3 different venues, with one and a half days for each discipline.
The structure of the organisation was that the Director of the Games should report to the GAISF Council. There would be six Commissions: a Technical Commission composed of 13 members (one from each IF) and Medical, Protocol, Financial, Communication & Marketing and Cultural Commissions. The cultural programme would be based on audiovisual and photographic exhibitions, congresses and lectures. There would also be a promotional campaign and a media plan.
A bidding document had been defined setting out the requirements and obligations of the candidate host cities, including an award fee intended to cover GAISF¹s expenses, which was separate from the budget of the city itself. The selection of the host city for 2010 was under way and it was likely that the decision would be taken before the next plenary session of the martial arts and combat sports members, which was to be held in December 2008 in Moscow. The President thanked Mr Espinos for this information on this important initiative and congratulated the 13 member martial arts and combat sports federations for their close collaboration.
STA accredited by Kukkiwon
STA is Kukkiwon approved and offers the lowest cost Kukkiwon Poom/Dan Certificates!
Following recognition by the WTF and negotiations with the Kukkiwon, STA is pleased to announce that it is now able to offer all instructors Kukkiwon Dan Certification at very competitive rates.
STA has received an unprecedented demand for such certification from Australisn instructors. Any instructor (4th Dan or higher) is now able to apply to obtain Kukkiwon Certificates. Click on the Kukkiwon tab at the top of this page for more information.
Poomsae Notice - 4th Commonwealth Championships UPDATED
The Commonwealth Organising Committee have advised that the format for the 4th Commonwealth Championships (Poomsae) has been revised and is now WTF format individual divisions
Taekwondo Australia (TA) Defaults on Funding Promise?
Taekwondo Australia had promised to provide funding to the Gold medalist from the Australian Open to attend the STA Selection tournament - the TA website stated: "TAI's funding offer remains in place and gold medallists from the Nationals will receive funding support to attend the selection event and on-selected competitions."
Unfortunately for those that won gold medals at the TA competiton this weekend no mention was made of the funding - it appears that TA has conveniently forgotten this undertaking. Instead TA seemed far more focused on presenting service awards to members of the TA Board of Destruction, the Board that oversaw:
- The loss of TA's recognition by the Australian Olympic Committee, the World Taekwowndo Federation and the Australian Sports Commission.
- The loss of over $1,000,000 of athlete high performance program funding.
To issue these people awards for service is so inappropriate that it is embarassing.
STA - Athletes First.
TAEKWONDO AUSTRALIA(TA) ELECTIONS UNDER A CLOUD!
The recent election held within TA for the position of President have erupted in controversy with the current President withdrawing his nomination and with the only remaining candidate facing accusations that he was not eligible to nominate for the position of President because he did not own or operate a Taekwondo club and allegedly, could not produce a Business registration certificate despite TA's rules requiring this document as proof of his eligibility.
The candidate was allowed to nominate regardless of TA's own membership requirements and was ultimately elected as President of TA.
It is expected that there will be a challenge to the outcome of this election process conducted by TA as it would appear that TA has failed to follow its own rules regarding such matters. In the meantime there remains uncertainty about TA's leadership.
Black Belts to Compete for Australian Team Places
*** SELECTIONS ENTRIES HAVE CLOSED ***
Australian Poomsae and Jnr and Snr Sparring Teams will be selected at the STA Australian Team Trials to be conducted at the Australian Institute of Sport in the ACT. Athletes will compete for places on teams to compete at the following events sanctioned by the World Taekwondo Federation: World Poomsae Championships, Turkey, Oceania Championships, New Zealand, Commonwealth Championships and Canada.
We wish all competitors the best of luck at the Team selection trials.
STA - Atheletes First
Taekwondo Australia Kukkiwon Applications Rejected
STA understands that Kukkiwon Poom/Dan Certificate Applications recently lodged by Taekwondo Australia with the Kukkiwon (KKW) have been rejected.
Kukkiwon Regulations (Article 5) states that KKW Certificate applications can only be made by WTF Member National Associations - TA is not recognised by the WTF following it being no longer recognised by the Australia Olympic Commitee.
STA is WTF and Kukkiwon authorised to apply for KKW Certificates and offers KKW Certificates at very low rates.
Clubs frustrated by the current TA Kukkiwon situation are welcome to apply for Affiliate Membership of STA (only $25 for period till 31/1/09) and lodge their KKW applications with STA - refer to the Membership and Kukkiwon page tabs above.
STA - Athletes First
Taekwondo Australia Black Belt Funding Farce
STA has received many enquiries regarding the level of "compensation funding" Taekwondo Australia(TA) may provide the few athletes they deem worthy at the TA Aust Open in September. To date TA has failed to provide any indication of the dollar value of funding support they are offering individuals.
Athletes interested in gaining a place on the WTF recognised Australian Team at the STA Team Selections (4-5 October at the AIS) wonder why they should attend the TA Aust Open in Sydney at all. This is understandable considering there is no advice from TA detailing the dollar value of funding that will be provided and the high likelihood of athlete injury only four weeks out from the Selection event that really matters.
The cost for interstate athletes to attend the TA Aust Open in Sydney is likely to exceed $1,000 each. TA should advise the level of individual funding it will provide to compensate all those black belts intending to also compete at the STA Australian Team Selection in October so they are not meaninglessly out of pocket.
This lack of advice and commitment by TA has many black belts seeking Australia Team selection consider withdrawing their TA Aust Open entry, cutting their loses and rearranging their travel bookings in favour of the STA Selections at the AIS on 4-5 October. TA should ensure that such withdrawals are refunded in full.
There is no Australian Team selection requirement to travel to Sydney and attend the TA Australian Open - athletes are only required to compete at the Official STA Selection at the AIS in October.
STA - Athletes First
Australian Poomsae Head Coach Appointed
Master Hyung Kook Kang (Kukkiwon 7th Dan) has accepted appointment as the Australian Poomsae Head Coach. This key appointment will provide Australian Poomsae Teams with access to world class coaching to support their efforts in the international arena.
As the WTF recognised entity to determine Australian Teams for WTF sanctioned events STA is conducting selections at the Australian Institute of Sport on Saturday 4 October, 2008 for three national Poomsae Teams to contest:
- World Poomsae Championships (December 2008 in Ankara, Turkey)
- Oceania Championships (December 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand)
- Commonwealth Championships (November 2008 in Winnipeg, Canada)
Master Kang will coach the Australian Poomsae Teams selected at the STA selection trials. Team members will benefit from the vast experience and dedication of Master Kang who has coached the Australian team at the two previous World Poomsae Championships. For a profile of Master Kang’s achievements click here.
Once the formal team selections have been conducted, training seminars will be conducted around Australia providing our elite Poomsae athletes the support they need to facilitate their development and success at international competitions.
STA – Athletes First.
World Poomsae Championships Details
As the WTF recognised entity to determine and enter Australian Teams for all WTF sanctioned non Olympic events, STA has now received formal advice confirming the conduct of the World Poomsae Championships (click here to read the official WTF letter).
The World Poomsae Championships will be held 12-14 December, 2008 in Ankara, Turkey. The Australian Team to contest these Championships will be selected at the Australian Institute of Sport in the A.C.T. on 4 October, 2008. Selection details are available below.
Australian Team Selection Tournamet AIS 4th and 5th October
As the only recognised sports association for the determination of offical Australian Teams for WTF Sanctioned non-olympic events Sports Taekwondo Australia is proud to announce details of Junior and Senior Team selections for:
- 2008 World Poomse Championships - Istanbul, Turkey, Dec 2008 (dates yet to be confirmed)
- 2008 Oceania Championships - Auckland, New Zealand, Dec 6-7
- 2008 Commonwealth Championships - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Nov.22-23
The Australian Junior and Senior teams for the above events will be determined at the selection tournament to be held 4-5 October 2008 at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra - for full information and entry details follow the links below:
- Australian Team Selection (click here)
- Poomsae Teams Selection (click here)
- Junior Sparring Teams Selection (click here)
Entry Form (click here)
Coach Registration (click here)
- Senior Sparring Teams Selection (click here)
Entry Form (click here)
Coach Registration (click here)
ENTRIES CLOSE THURS 4 SEPTEMBER 2008 (no late entries can be accepted).
STA - Athletes First.
First Step to Formal Recognition of STA
The first step to formal recognition of Sports Taekwondo Australia as the National Sports Organisation for Taekwondo in Australia has been taken.
The Australian Olympic Committee Executive have advised STA that they have appointed former Australian High Court Judge, The Hon Michael McHugh AC QC, to determine whether there is one Australian organisation governing the Olympic sport of Taekwondo in Australia which:
- Is exercising a real and specific sports activity,
- Is conducting its activities in compliance with both the Olympic Charter and the rules of the WTF; and
- Subject to being affiliated to the WTF and any other pre-conditions, should be admitted to membership of the AOC.
Mr McHugh will be assisted by AOC Director of Sport, Ms Fiona de Jong and an officer of the Australian Sports Commission if it agrees. STA welcomes the appointment of Mr McHugh and looks forward to assisting him, the AOC and the ASC in their determinations.
Taekwondo Australia Statement & Notice Misleading
STA has received numerous enquiries regarding a misleading statement & notice posted on the Taekwondo Australia (TA) website. The TA statement & notice implies that TA will be conducting a selection event for athletes to compete at the World Poomsae Championships, The Oceania Championships (poomsae & sparring) and the Commonwealth Championships (poomsae & sparring) as part of the TA Australian Open.
As TA is not recognised by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) or the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) it has no authority to select any team to compete at any WTF sanctioned event.
Only Sports Taekwondo Australia (STA) is recognised by the WTF and the AOC to select Australian teams to compete at WTF sanctioned non-Olympic events. The STA selection for the official WTF recognised Australian teams to compete at these WTF sanctioned Championships will be conducted on the weekend of 4-5 October, 2008 at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra (Competition Invitation and Entry details will be available here soon).
Athletes seeking selection to these teams MUST compete at the STA Selection event. The STA selection is open to any athlete that holds an Australian passport, a Kukkiwon Certificate and is of the necessary age.
There is no selection requirement to travel to Sydney and attend the TA Australian Open - athletes are only required to compete at the Official STA Selection at the AIS in October.
STA - Putting Athletes First.
