Taekwondo students win gold

Hedland’s taekwondo enthusiasts recently set themselves the challenge of competing against the State’s best and returned with a bag of medals to show for it.

Travelling to the Western Australian State Taekwondo Championships, the ATA Hedland Taekwondo Club sent six competitors, black belt Torekana Bule-Turner, Hayley Robinson, Dodi and Yusef Tueondo, and Kelly and Paige Hill.

Sparring against tough competition and competing in taekwondo’s technical movement patterns, known as poomsae, the students won multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals.

After two days of competition, Hedland Taekwondo’s Dodi and Yusef Tueondo and Robinson all claimed the honour and prizes awarded to State champions.

Kelly and Paige Hill also did themselves proud in their first major competition, with Kelly winning silver and Paige gaining valuable experience and confidence.

Bule-Turner won silver after sparring in arguably the most exciting match of the tournament. He demonstrated an amazing array of aerial kicks, which had the crowd on its feet.

Team coaches Tim Turner and Relma Bule said they were proud of their club’s competitors.

“There is amazing talent in Hedland and the club looks forward to future success with more students joining and preparing for 2017,” Turner said.

“The Hedland club would like to thank it sponsors, including FleetSpec Hire and Onsite Engineering, who provided free transport for the week.

“A special thanks to the Baitlin-Lovett family, former Hedland residents, who hosted the entire team for the week-long stay.”