Two dedicated taekwondo athletes from RT Xtreme Fiji, Master Pranit Kumar and his student Ali Abdullah, are gearing up to represent their club at the prestigious Tunz Championship 2025 in Wellington, New Zealand. This international event offers them an invaluable opportunity to gain exposure and enhance their skills on a global stage.
The pair will compete in individual sparring and poomsae, showcasing their abilities in both controlled forms and direct combat. For Pranit Kumar, this championship is a culmination of rigorous training spanning four months, as he takes on a new level of competition. Meanwhile, the tournament is particularly momentous for Ali Abdullah, as it marks his debut on the international scene. Despite being his first international outing, Abdullah enters with confidence, bolstered by the mentorship and support of his master.
This event not only highlights the potential of these athletes but also signals the growing enthusiasm for taekwondo within Fiji. The country is seeing the development of a vibrant taekwondo culture, driven by structured training camps and development programs under the guidance of experienced coaches like Pranit Kumar and visiting experts such as Grand Master Andy Rutten. These initiatives are part of broader efforts to engage Fijian youth in sports, promoting both physical fitness and personal growth, which are essential in nurturing future champions.
As the Tunz Championship unfolds, hopes are high for the Fijian athletes to leave a lasting impression and pave the way for future international competitions. Their participation represents a promising advance for taekwondo in Fiji, serving to inspire the next wave of athletes eager to demonstrate their talents on the world stage.