Team Fiji Taekwondo is aiming to win 16 medals when they compete at the New Zealand Union Taekwondo Cham­pionship at the Te Raupraha Arena in Wel­lington next month.

Coach Francis Nand said they set their tar­get after completing the inter-club champion­ship on August 15.

“Our target is 16 medals as we are taking 16 athletes and two officials. Last year we took 11 athletes and won 10 medals,”Nand said.

“This is the first time that the Asia Pacific Taekwondo Federation in Fiji is taking so many athletes overseas.

“This will be our second continuous partici­pation in the competition. We expect tough competition from our counterparts New Zea­land and Australia but it is good for Fiji as a good exposure for Pacific Games.”

The side boast some prominent names in the sport in the likes of USP student Prabhat Prasad and Nasinu Muslim College Year 10 student Aliya Valentine.

The oldest rep in the side is Jone Senimoli, 52 of Wainibuku and the youngest is 12 year old Adbul Shahil of Ba.

The two day tournament is scheduled for September 29-30.

Teams: Junior Male – Abdul Sahil U12 Years 35kg, Ayush Chand U15 Years 45kg, Akshay Achari U15 Tears 48kg, Huzaifa Rahman U15 Years 44kg. Junior Females – Tanisha Chand U16 Years 46kg, Faaiza Nisha U16 Years 57kg, Aliya Valentine U16 Years 68kg. Senior Female – Joana Senimoli U68kg Wel­terweight Division, Olivia Likusiga U75kg Heavyweight Division. Senior Males – Sanil Kumar 20years U55kg, Prabhat Prasad 19 Years U58kg, Bramhans Sharma 32 Years U68kg, Prashil Sharma 23 Years U82kg, Adam Valentine 19 Years Over 85kg. Veteran Male Athletes – Anthony Valentine over 45years 120kg, Jone Senimoli over 45years 90kg. Of­ficials are Francis Nand (Coach), Nikita Devi (Manager).

Edited by Osea Bola

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