Two of Fiji’s top Tae kwon do athletes, Lolohea Naitasi and Irene Mar, will leave for South Korea this month on prestigious scholarships to further their training in the sport.
The scholarships were awarded by World Tae kwon do and Sanghyun Ra, a longtime coach and development officer who has served in Fiji for 15 years.
The training is expected to boost the athletes’ chances of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics.
Irene Mar, a para tae kwon do athlete from Nukusa, Udu in Macuata, will join 40 athletes from around the world at the World Para Tae Kwon Do training camp in Muju, before competing at the World Para Tae kwon do open challenge G4 in Chuncheon, Gangwon.
She is the only athlete selected from the Oceania region and is expected to arrive in Korea by June 30.
Lolohea Naitasi, from Daku, Tailevu, with maternal links to Kuku, Bau, will be based in Daegu, where she will improve her skills as an athlete and instructor.
She will also take part in the Chuncheon tournament and University Games.
Lolohea leaves for Korea on June 27.
“This experience will really improve their skills and knowledge as an Olympian and a Paralympian,” said Ra, who has trained both athletes for years.
“Their participation gives them the international experience they need and motivates others in Fiji.”
Both athletes have previously trained and competed in Korea and are excited to return.
“They love the food, the culture and the chance to learn from some of the best Taekwondo instructors in the world,” Ra said.
Irene was ranked seventh in the world, while both athletes proudly represented Fiji at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
Ra said watching them compete and carry the Fijian flag after their matches was one of his proudest moments.
“These scholarships are important because they show our athletes are being recognised on the world stage,” Ra added.
