Taekwondo Fiji is confident of winning its first ever gold medal at the 2019 Pacific Games on July 6-20 in Apia, Samoa.

Team manager Nimlesh Narayan said they are preparing well and they are expected to take eight athletes

“We will be having our final trials in April during the Fiji Games where we will pick our eight reps comprised of five men, three women,” he said.

“Taekwondo involves full body contact so we are avoiding having two or three trials like other sports as we want to be mindful of injuries to athletes.

“So with the weekly training that we had been having I am sure the side will be up to deliver their best performance.

“We have not won any gold medal at the Pacific Games but hopefully we will win gold in the ppen men’s category.”

Narayan also said through their participation in next month’s Taekwondo Mujo Championship in Korea will be a good build-up for the Pacific Games.

“It will be a great platform for the players to showcase their talent and at the same time be aware of what their capabilities as far as their performance is concerned,” Narayan added

“We have another international competition straight after the Pacific Games which is the World Championship that will be held in Manchester, England in August.

“Our greatest challenge at the moment is trying to get funding to pay for all our team levy for the games to Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) before the deadline. And the players are trying to do fundraising as well to cater for their team expenses.” – Edited by  Osea  Bola

Feedback:  grace.narayan@fijisun.com.fj