The KLAS Taekwondo Samoa club held a grading ceremony last weekend where a significant rise in female participation was noted by the club's teachers. 

The traditionally male-dominated sport has seen a surge in interest from young girls, with eight female students moving up a notch after the grading.

The event, which marked the progression of 19 young athletes ranging from five to 20 years old, had students receiving new level belts ranging from white to yellow, yellow to blue, and blue to red. 

Tapunu’u Kaino Thomsen Fuataga in an interview stated that there has been immense interest from many of the young students.

"Every year we see a growing number in the students and they have shown great interest in the art of Taekwondo," he said.

He also commended the dedication and hard work shown by the students throughout their training, which began in February, and emphasised the importance of discipline and perseverance in mastering the sports, and also reminding them to have fun.

"We are thrilled to see the increasing number of girls joining our club and showing their enthusiasm for Taekwondo," said Tovale Filipo, a black belt and female trainer at the club. 

"It's heartening to witness the rise of female participation in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by males. I hope to see more girls continuing their journey in Taekwondo and potentially pursuing it professionally in the future," she said.

The teachers at KLAS Taekwondo Samoa conduct regular training two to three times a week. This provided the students with the opportunity to hone their skills and progress through the various belt levels. 

The club prides itself on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where students can develop their physical and mental strength, as well as cultivate important values such as respect and perseverance.

With the recent success of the grading ceremony and the increasing number of girls actively participating in Taekwondo, the future looks bright for KLAS Taekwondo Samoa. The club remains committed to nurturing the talents of all its students and providing them with the necessary skills to excel in the sport.

"If you are eager to learn self-defence and learn this art form, come join us" concluded Tapunu'u.