A 13-member team from Civic Tae kwon do Academy will represent Fiji at the TUNZ Tae kwon do Tournament in Wellington, New Zealand this Saturday.
The delegation, officially endorsed by the Fiji Taekwondo Association (FTA), features a mix of promising debutants and seasoned competitors and will be led by national coach Neelu Nand.
Among the athletes is Olympian Venice Traill, whose experience is expected to guide and inspire the younger team members.
Over the past two months, the team has undergone a demanding six-day-a-week training program focused on strength, conditioning, and recovery.
Their preparation also included physiotherapy sessions, recovery pool training, nutritional guidance, and video-based tactical analysis.
“This is one of the most disciplined build-ups we’ve had,” coach Nand said.
“The athletes have pushed through tough sessions and embraced every part of the program, strength training, recovery, and strategy. I believe this preparation will serve them well in New Zealand.”
The tournament will be significant for many of Fiji’s younger athletes as it will mark their first experience with the electronic scoring system, which is widely used internationally but not yet available locally.
“For the majority of our athletes, this will be their first exposure to the electronic scoring system,” Coach Nand said. “These opportunities are critical as we prepare for bigger ambitions, including qualification pathways toward the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympics.”
Olympian Traill said the team is determined to make Fiji proud.
“It’s always special to represent Fiji, and this trip is an invaluable chance for our younger members to gain international exposure,” she said.
“The past two months have been intense, but the hard work has bonded us as a team. We are ready to give our best and make Fiji proud.”
