Latest news from Sports Taekwondo Australia...
For an updated calendar of events click here.
STA announces revised Olympic Qualification Selection Event Process
STA has issued an updated "WTF Sanctioned World & Regional Qualification Selection Process" document for the information of athletes.
Please refer to updated document by clicking here.
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All athletes welcome to compete in Selection/Qualification Events
STA welcomes the final resolution between STA and TA as the two organisations are meeting in Beijing on the 1st of September to discuss merger options to provide a favourable solution for Australian Taekwondo Athletes.
This meeting has been requested by the IOC and in anticipation of a positive outcome, STA encourages all Australian Taekwondo Athletes to enter the Oceania Selection Trials/Stage 1 World Championships Selection Trials irrespective of which competitions they have attended in 2010. TA members are naturally encouraged to enter the process as the World Championships/Qualification events draw near.
Details of the Olympic Qualification Nomination Process are below.
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2010 Australian Championships
STA is proud to invite all eligible STA recognised members to participate in the 2010 Australian Championships in September at State Netball & Hockey Centre, Melbourne.
Click here for tournament information (including accommodation package) and entry forms etc. Note entries must be received by 2 September, 2010.
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STA invited by WTF to nominate IR's for the 2012 Olympic Games
The WTF has asked that STA nominate 20 International Referees (including 5 female IR's) from Australia to form a pool of IR's from which the WTF will select IR's to officiate at the 2012 London Olympic Games and IR training camps.
If you are an IR and wish to be considered for nomination, then you have an opportunity to join STA and be considered for nomination. STA's policy is to only nominate IR's who are members of STA. Only IR's nominated by STA will be considered by the WTF.
To be considered for nomination to the WTF IR's must have be a member of STA by 31st August, 2010 as STA's nominations must reach the WTF by 5th September. Membership applications and details are available from the "Membership" webpage.
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STA to host OTU Referee & Refresher Course, 21 August - Brisbane, QLD
Sports Taekwondo Australia will host another Oceania Taekwondo Union Referee & Refresher Course, this time in Brisbane on Saturday, 21 August.
Click here for registration and full details about the event (applications close on 13 August).
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OTU Poomsae Judging Certification Seminar - Brisbane, 21 August, 2010
STA is proud to host a OTU Poomsae Judging Certification Seminar in Brisbane on Saturday 21 August.
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 12 August, 2010.
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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!
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STA 2010 Qld Open Championships
The STA Qld Open Championship featuring sparring & poomsae for colour and black belts from 6 years of age will be held at the Logan Metro Indoor Sports Centre, 357 Browns Plain Road, Crestmead on Sunday, 22 August, 2010.
This tournament is open to all athletes (not just STA members), and interstate competitors are also most welcome.
Click here for tournament information and entry forms etc. Note entries must be received by 12 August, 2010.
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World Cup Team Championships - Australian Team Draw
The Australian Team (details in the STA Newletter) is at the World Cup Team Championships in China - click here to see their draw.
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2012 Olympic Games - Referees Pathway
All aspiring Olympic Referees please note the countdown for Referess for the 2012 Olympic games has started!
For more information regarding the Refree Pathway click here.
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2010 Australian Team Selection Trials
STA is proud to invite all eligible STA recognised members to participate in the 2010 Australian Team Selection Trials and the Australian Championships in September at State Netball & Hockey Centre, Melbourne.
Events held over this weekend will see a number of Australian Sparring Teams selected to contest the 2010 Oceania Championships, New Caledonia, December 2010
BLACK BELTS PLEASE NOTE:
- The STA 2012 Olympic Qualification Point System will commence at this event.
- This event will constitute Stage 1 of the selection process for the 2011 World Championships team.
Click here for tournament information (including accommodation package) and entry forms etc. Note entries must be received by 2 September, 2010.
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STA WA Open Championships
Click here for details regarding the STA WA Open Championships.
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STA hosts OTU Referee Seminar in Melbourne on 24 July
Sports Taekwondo Australia will host another Oceania Taekwondo Union Referee. Click here for more details.
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STA Newsletter
The July edition of the STA newsletter is now available. Click here to read about the latest news and developments in Taekwondo.
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International Olympic Committee appoints STA Director to 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games
The IOC has appointed STA Director Daniel Trenton to the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games as an Athlete Role Model.
This important appointment shows the high regard the IOC has for Daniel, a Silver medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
In making the appointing, IOC President Jacque Rogge stated "Your success as an athlete and your life experiences will serve as an invaluable model for the Young Olympians who will be competing in Singapore."
Click here to read the President of the IOC's letter of appointment
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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.
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STA Victorian Open Championship
The STA Victorian Open Championship featuring sparring & poomsae for colour and black belts from 6 years of age will be held at the State Netball & Hockey Centre, Parkville on Sunday 25 July, 2010. This tournament is open to all athletes (not just STA members), and interstate competitors are also most welcome.
Click here for tournament information and entry forms etc. Note entries must be received by 15 July, 2010.
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Last Days for Registration for 2nd World Youth Taekwondo Camp
The 2nd World Youth Taekwondo Camp is being conducted by the WTF and the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation, between 26-31 July in Seoul and Muju, Korea. STA is accepting Expressions of Interest from athletes aged 14-20 to participate in the camp – deadline for Expressions of Interest is Thursday 24 June.
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Registration for 2nd World Youth Taekwondo Camp
The 2nd World Youth Taekwondo Camp is being conducted by the WTF and the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation, 26-31 July in Seoul and Muju, Korea.
The stated objectives of the camp are to:
- provide the world youth with high-level Taekwondo training and education of Taekwondo spirit
- educate them on Olympic values and ideals
- provide them with a chance for exchanges in sport and culture
- help them lead a healthy life physically and spiritually and thus, contribute to betterment of their communities, countries and the world
Accommodation (including room and board) and transportation from Seoul's Incheon International Airport to/from the camp is provided by the World Youth Taekwondo Camp organizing committee.
Only those who meet the following four requirements are eligible to join the Australian Squad for the 2nd World Youth Taekwondo Camp:
- Taekwondo practitioners aged between 14 and 20
- Holders of Kukkiwon Poom/Dan Certificate
- Member of STA
- Recommended by STA (the Member National Association of the WTF in Australia).
The Australian Squad consisting of a coach/manager and up to 9 athletes will leave Australia on 25 July and return into Australia on 1 August. Participants will be responsible for their own airfare from Australian to Korea and return.
STA is now calling for Expressions of Interest from Taekwondo athletes interested in attending the WTF 2nd World Youth Taekwondo Camp.
Expressions of Interest should include the following details:
- Name
- Name of Club
- Contact phone number
- Short description of previous overseas Taekwondo experience
Deadline for lodgement of Expression of Interest is Thursday 24 June via e-mail to info@sta.asn.au
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World Cup Team Staff - Expression of Interest
Sports Taekwondo Australia is currently considering the composition of the Australian National Team competing at the 2010 World Cup Taekwondo Team Championships to be held in Urumqi, China, 17-20 July.
STA is seeking Expressions of Interest from members who may be interested in fulfilling the following staff roles:
- Male Team Coach
- Female Team Coach
- Team Manager
For more information click here
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STA NSW Open Championship
The STA NSW Open Championship featuring sparring & poomsae for colour and black belts from 6 years of age will be held at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday 11 July, 2010. This tournament is open to all athletes (not just STA members), and interstate competitors are also most welcome.
Click here for tournament information and entry forms etc. Note entries must be received by 1 July, 2010.
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PTF Fight Night 2010
PTF Events are again staging a Fight Night featuring some of Australia's best Taekwondo Fighters and Korean National Fighters.
In addition to traditional matches this event will also feature Two on Two and Australia vs Korea Team contests.
The Fight Night will be held at Moonee Valley racecourse on Friday 18 June, 2010 - further information and tickets are available at www.sporttaekwondo.com.
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2010 Australian Poomsae Team Selection Trials
STA is conducting selection trials for the following WTF sanctioned events:
5th World Poomsae Championships, Tashkent, Uzbekistan - October, 2010 4th Oceania Championships, Noumea, New Caledonia - December, 2010 4th Commonwealth Championships, Delhi, India - January, 2011
The Australian Poomsae Team Selection Trials will be conducted at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne on Saturday, 24 July.
Tournament invitation and entry details are avaialable by clicking here.
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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.
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2010 WTF World Cup Team Championships Selection
STA has received confirmation that Australia will be invited to enter both male and female teams at the 2010 WTF World Cup Team Championships, which will take place in Urumqi, China on July 17-20.
The Australian Team Selections for the WTF World Cup Team Championships has been scheduled for Sunday, 6 June, at the Australian Institute of Sports in Canberra.
Click here to read announcement and for more information about the event including application form.
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Recognition Prior Learning (RPL) Applications Required for Coaching at STA Events - Updated 10th May 2010
In line with a recent initiative from the Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU) regarding their educational programs, all coaches registered with Sports Taekwondo Australia will need to undergo an OTU Coach Accreditation Course before 31 December 2011.
Click here to read announcement and apply for RPL
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STA and IMG to Deliver New and Improved Benefits for Members
Sports Taekwondo Australia is very proud to announce that it has entered into a major agreement with IMG Sports Technology Group to provide a range of enhanced benefits to STA Members.
Click here to read announcement and learn about the benefits.
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STA to host OTU Referee & Refresher Course 1st May - Canberra, ACT
Sports Taekwondo Australia will host the first Oceania Taekwondo Union Referee & Refresher Course of 2010 at the Australian Institute of Sports in Canberra on Saturday, 1st May.
Click here to read announcement and obtain full details about the event.
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2nd WTF World Para-Taekwondo Championships - Expressions of Interest
The 2nd WTF World Para-Taekwondo Championships will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia on 11 May 2010.
Click here to read announcement and obtain full details about the event.
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Victorian Government Recognises Taekwondo Athlete
Australian Junior Team member Cem Kahraman was recently honoured at the Victorian Schools Sports Awards when he received the Outstanding Sports Achievement award.
Click here to read announcement.
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Taekwondo ACT 2010 Autumn Open
The Taekwondo ACT 2010 Autumn Open, which will feature sparring, Poomsae, and Bongsul competitions, will be held at the Australian Institute of Sports Netball & Basketball Hall on Sunday, 2nd May.
Click here to read announcement and obtain full details about the event along with entry forms.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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OTU Admits STA As Member for Australia
The Oceania Taekwondo Union has admitted Sports Taekwondo Australia as its member organisation for Australia.
OTU is one of the five regional Taekwondo organizations under the World Taekwondo Federation global structure. The other four are Africa, Asia, Europe and Pan America.
“Membership in OTU solidifies STA’s position within the WTF,” notes STA Director of Sports Daniel Trenton. “This also means that Australian athletes can compete in the Oceania Championships, which will be held later this year in New Caledonia.”
As part of its application for membership in WTF, STA had committed to actively support the initiatives and programs of the OTU. The first instance of this commitment will occur in March when STA will host an OTU Poomsae Judging Certification Seminar in Melbourne (see below).
Comprising 14 member nations, the Oceania Taekwondo Union functions solely to provide members everything they need to enable their member schools to train athletes to the best of their ability in both mind and body.
Australia was one of the founding OTU nations when the organisation was formed in 1975.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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STA Announces Team for Youth Olympics Qualification Tournament
Sports Taekwondo Australia is pleased to announce that the following six junior athletes have been selected to represent Australia at the WTF Taekwondo Qualification Tournament for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games:
Female
49-55kg: Taiha Gorton (Taekwondo Oh Do Kwan) - WA
55-63kg: Anya Vukomanovic (Titans Taekwondo Academy) - Vic
63+kg: Courtney Sinclair (Halls Taekwondo) - Vic
Male
48-55kg: Cem Kahraman (Power House Taekwondo) - Vic
55-63kg: Jason Noh (Hong's Tkd Australia) - NSW
73+ kg : Mason Gorodecky (Rutten Tkd) - SA
STA has also named Nick Tsioulos and Mesut Kahraman as coaches for this team.
The WTF Taekwondo Qualification Tournament for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games will be held in Tijuana, Mexico on March 3-5. The top 6 placed athletes in each division at this YOG Qualification Tournament will earn their country the right to contest that division at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August this year.
"This tournament will provide these six athletes with an extraordinary experience of competing against the top junior athletes from around the world," notes STA Director of Sports Daniel Trenton. "This is a WTF benchmark event and their experiences here will help prepare them for future international competitions as they continue their sporting careers into the senior level."
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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.
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WTF Confirms STA Responsible for YOG Qualification Tournament Team
The WTF today confirmed that STA is the only organisation in Australia entitled to participate in and enter athletes for WTF sanctioned events, including the YOG Qualification Tournament scheduled for March in Mexico. Click here to read the WTF letter.
As such, STA will immediately begin preparing the management team, coaching staff and the selection process for the athletes participating in the WTF YOG Qualification Tournament.
To be fair to athletes that entered in good faith, STA will take into consideration the recent YOGQ Selection event conducted by TA as part of the selection process for determining the athletes to represent Australia at the YOG Qualification Tournament.
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IOC Rejects TA's Complaint
Taekwondo Australia's complaint to the IOC regarding the WTF's recognition of STA has been rejected. In an email to STA the IOC has stated:
"...the IOC fully respects independence of the National Olympic Committees and International Federations pertaining to the recognition of the National Federations. The IOC is not in the position to intervene..."
We hope that this advice and the WTF letter confirming STA as the Member National Association for Australia clarifies to the Australian Taekwondo community that this matter is now finalised.
STA is moving forward as the WTF recognised Member National Association and providing strong leadership for the growth and prosperity of Taekwondo in Australia in accordance with its "Athletes First" philosophy.
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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.
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STA Membership Status Confirmed by WTF
The WTF has written to the AOC confirming STA's Membership of the WTF. To read the WTF letter click here.
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WTF Recognises STA as a Full Member
The WTF Council meeting held in Cairo, Egypt on 29 November 2009 has unanimously resolved to admit Sports Taekwondo Australia Inc as a Full Member of the WTF.
STA is now the WTF recognised Member National Association for Australia.
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YOG Qualification Selection Event Invalid?
An announcement was made last week by TA that it plans to conduct a selection event on 6 December in Melbourne for the WTF Youth Olympic Games Qualification Event. As this has caused confusion and concern amongst athletes, coaches and families, STA has been asked to make its position on this event public.
STA feels that athletes, coaches and families should be leery about this planned event as the World Taekwondo Federation has yet to decide on which organization, if any, is to be admitted as its member. This is solely a decision of the WTF and is scheduled to be determined at the WTF Council meeting in Cairo on 29 November. STA has been advised in writing by the WTF that it will sanction STA's full membership of the WTF after October, presumably on 29 November.
STA has advised the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) that the Athlete Eligibility requirements by the WTF for the WTF Youth Olympic Games Qualification Event clearly states that, "An athlete must be nominated by the pertinent national Taekwondo association that is recognized by the World Taekwondo Federation and by their NOC."
STA has also advised the AOC that, should STA receive full membership of the WTF or should the STA provisional membership in the WTF be extended by the WTF Council at its next meeting, STA reserves the right to stage its own proper sanctioned qualification event or selection process which complies with WTF rules and regulations. The selection event or selection process must be conducted by the Taekwondo association that is the member of the WTF.
At this point it time, STA is the provisional member of the WTF in Australia. As such, STA is concerned that many athletes, and their parents and coaches, will incur considerable expense in attending a selection event for the WTF Youth Olympic Games Qualification Event which may ultimately be determined to be invalid.
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Australian Junior Team Selected
The STA Junior Team Selection conducted in Perth on 31 October was a great success. The athletes that have been invited to join the Australian team to contest the 8th World Junior Championships in Tijuana, Mexico in March 2010 are:
Female Team
Kanica May - <42 Vic Joon No Tkd
Senel Yilmaz - 44 Vic Olympic Tkd Centre
Chynea Lang - 46 Vic Titans Tkd
Renae Perkins - 49 Qld Charles Rawlins Tkd
Clare Francis - 52 WA Charles Rawlins Tkd
Janelle Hocking - 55 Vic Joon No Tkd
Selin Yilmaz - 59 Vic Olympic Tkd Centre
Nadine Venter - 63 WA Charles Rawlins Tkd
Emily O'Sullivan 68 - WA Charles Rawlins Tkd
Courtney Sinclair - 68+ Vic Halls Tkd
Male Team
Michael Metaxotos - <45 Vic Joon No Tkd
Mohammad Abdallah - 68 Vic Fighting Lyons Tkd
Benjamin Balangue - 51 Vic Powerhouse Tkd
Kostan Ioannou - 73 Vic Joon No Tkd
James Iriyadi - 63 Vic Titans Tkd
Cem Kahraman - 55 Vic Powerhouse Tkd
Paul Otago - 59 WA Charles Rawlins Tkd
Kyle Parmley - 78 Qld Focus Tkd
STA congratulates all athletes and coaches involved with the selection tournament and wishes the Australian Junior Team good luck when they compete in Mexico in March 2010.
STA - Athletes First
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Australian Junior Team - Support Staff
The Australian Junior Team to contest the 2010 WTF World Junior Championships next March in Tijuana, Mexico will be determined this weekend (31st October, 2009) at the team selection trial in Perth, WA.
Expressions of Interest for the positions of Coaches, Trainers and Chaperone are now invited - further details and an application form are available by clicking here (updated file).
STA - Athletes First
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Schedule for STA Competitions Released
STA is conducting the 2010 World Junior Taekwondo Championship Australian Team Selection, Australian International Sparring and Poomsae Opens in Perth, WA on 31 October and 1 November.
Details of the competition timetable are available by clicking here.
STA - Athletes First
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Australia Fares Well in “Best Ever” WTF World Championships
A plethora of one-point losses kept Australia’s Taekwondo athletes from advancing into the quarter finals at the recently completed 2009 WTF World Championships in Copenhagen.
Despite coming away without any medals, Australia placed 18th in the Women’s Division and 33rd in the Men’s Division of the 143 countries entered into the sport’s most prestigious non-Olympic event.
Nine of Australia’s 16 athletes won their first bouts, but none could manage a second victory in a tournament described by World Taekwondo Federation as “the best to date.” Over 1000 competitors were entered into the tournament, which also featured new electronic body protectors and video replay.
The final results for Australia’s athletes were:
Women’s Division
- 46kg: Jasmine Branca - Lost to Ukraine 4-3
- 46-49kg: Sinead Smyth - Beat Dominica Republic 6-5; Lost to Thailand 7-6
- 49-53kg: Bianca D’Andrilli - Lost to Great Britain 18-5
- 53-57kg: Jessica Jordan - Beat Algeria 6-1; Lost to Israel 7-3
- 57-62kg: Carmen Marton - Beat Germany 1-0; Lost to Thailand 9-2
- 62-67kg: Chloe Iriyadi - Beat Spain 3-2; Lost to Brazil 1-0
- 67-73kg: Amy Ash - Beat Mali 1-0; Lost to Brazil 5-2
- 73kg: Ruth Rowe - Lost to Macau 2-0
Men’s Division
- 54kg: Cameron Sutton - Beat Lebanon 7-0; Lost to Japan 4-2
- 54-58kg: Gylan Al Atroushi - Lost to Sweden 6-5
- 58-63kg: Safwan Khalil - Lost to El Salvador (injury stoppage)
- 63-68kg: Hayder Shkara - Beat Malaysia 4-2; Lost to Afghanistan 4-3
- 68-74kg: Burak Hasan - Beat Latvia 5-4; Lost to Japan 4-2
- 74-80kg: Mahir Unalan - Lost to Dominica Republic 6-5
- 80-87kg: Peter Vassily - Lost to Cote d’Ivorie 3-1
- 87kg: Bryon Coleborne - Beat Nigeria 4-3; Lost to Russia 6-1
STA congratulates the athletes, coaches and team officials who represented Australia at the 2009 WTF World Championships. We also again thank the Australian Olympic Committee and the Australian Sports Commission for working together to secure government funding that helped facilitate Australia’s participation in the 2009 WTF World Championships.
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WTF Council Unanimously Confirms Support for STA
At the WTF council meeting held on 11th October in Copenhagen, Denmark, the full meeting of the WTF council resolved to extend STA's provisional membership of the WTF until 1st December 2009. The resolution to do so was passed unanimously by the members of the WTF council.
STA - Athletes First
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Australian Team Contesting the Largest Ever World Championships
The Australian senior team has been in Copenhagen, Denmark contesting the WTF World Championships. These are the largest championships ever held with 143 countries and 1,016 players participating.
For details of the Competition and daily results go to the official website by clicking here.
STA - Athletes First
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WJC Team Selection Trial - 31 Oct, 2009
All competitors are reminded that the entries for the 2010 World Junior Championship Team Selection Trial close on Thursday 1 October, 2009. Tournament Invitation, details and entry forms are available below.
FAQ on World Junior Championships Selections click here.
STA - Athletes First
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STA Australian International Poomsae Open - Invitation and Entry details
Tournament Invitation and Entry forms are now available for the STA Australian International Poomsae Open to be conducted on Friday 30 October, 2009 in Perth, WA.
Details can be downloaded by clicking here.
NOTE: Entries close on Thursday 15 October, 2009.
STA - Athletes First
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STA Australian International Sparring Open Details Released
This will be the most international Taekwondo event to be held in Australia this year, and STA plans to make the STA Australian International Tournament a permanent fixture on the Australian Taekwondo calendar.
The Invitation and application forms for the STA Australian International Sparring Open are now available and can be downloaded by clicking here.
Note: Entries for the Internaional Open close on 15 October, 2009.
STA - Athletes First
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2010 World Junior Championships Team Selection Trial - 31 October, 2009
Entries are now invited for junior athletes to contest the 2010 World Junior Championship Team Selection Trial. The selection event will be conducted at the Belmont Oasis Centre, Perth, WA on Saturday, 31 October, 2009.
- For tournament invitation and details click here to download
- For athlete entry form click here to download
- For coaches registration click here to download
NOTE: Entries Close on Thursday 1 October, 2009.
STA - Athletes First
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STA Announces National Training Squad
Sports Taekwondo Australia is pleased to announce the initial composition of the STA National Training Squad (NTS), which will be supervised under the direction of former Australian Olympic Team Coach Daniel Trenton.
The STA NTS will comprise the senior athletes who won first place at the WTF World Championships Selections Event conducted by STA in Canberra last month. A STA Junior National Training Squad will be formed following the WTF Junior World Championships Selection Event, which is scheduled for the end of October in Perth.
“We have developed a comprehensive training program for the STA National Training Squad,” notes Daniel Trenton, the STA Director of Sports. “Initial sessions will be held to help prepare these athletes for the World Championships in Copenhagen, followed by regularly scheduled training camps commencing in Perth in October.”
The initial player development sessions will be held in Melbourne and Sydney and will cover:
- Overview of the new WTF rules
- Positive match play under new rules, including how to capitalize on the new rules to force warnings against opponents and how to avoid being penalized under the new rules
- Strategies and techniques to maximize scoring with the new rules
- An overview of the La Just scoring system
- Advantageous techniques to use with the La Just system
- Correct blocking and defence for the La Just system
All coaches of STA NTS athletes are encouraged to attend these development sessions, which will be led by Daniel Trenton and WTF International Referee Rene Leveaux (who has just been selected as one of the referees for the WTF World Championships). “Additional athletes who have a commitment to representing Australia in international competitions may be added to the STA National Training Squad based on their performances in the STA International Open in Perth in October,” notes Trenton. “We will also be naming our NTS coaching team following that event. “But for now, our priority is to provide as much development support as we can to the 16 athletes who will be competing for Australia at the WTF World Championships in mid October,” he adds. The first development session will be held in Melbourne on the afternoon of 19 September at the Victorian Taekwondo Academy in Bentleigh.
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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.”
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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
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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.
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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
