A team from the Civic Taekwondo Academy is set to represent Fiji at the TUNZ Taekwondo Tournament in Wellington, New Zealand. The 13-member squad, officially endorsed by the Fiji Taekwondo Association, showcases a blend of new talent and experienced competitors, under the guidance of national coach Neelu Nand.
A highlight of the team is Olympian Venice Traill, who is anticipated to lead and inspire her younger teammates. The team has been rigorously preparing for the tournament with a six-day-a-week training schedule incorporating strength and conditioning, recovery, physiotherapy, nutritional guidance, and tactical video analysis. This stringent regimen reflects what coach Nand describes as one of their most disciplined preparations.
For many of Fiji’s younger athletes, the tournament will be their first experience with the electronic scoring system, prevalent in international competitions but not yet adopted in Fiji. Coach Nand emphasized the importance of such exposure to prepare the athletes for future ambitions, including pathways to the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Venice Traill expressed the team’s determination to make Fiji proud, highlighting the intense preparation period of the past two months. She underscored the importance of this international exposure for younger team members, reinforcing their collective readiness to perform their best.
The participation in Wellington aligns with Fiji’s broader ambitions in taekwondo, illustrated by previous international engagements and a growing local interest in the sport. With support and rigorous training, Fiji continues to foster a promising environment for taekwondo, aiming for excellence on international platforms.