The sons and a daughter of Samoa returned home with an eight-medal haul from the TUNZ NZ Taekwondo Nationals (Taekwondo New Zealand National Championships) last week.

Four members of the Tuiaopo Investments KLAS Taekwondo team were rewarded with medals, Ryan Eteuati collected two gold medals and a silver, Oswald Tapaelu got one silver medal, Irae Mose Simi has two silver medals, and Tovale Filipo also got two silver medals.

The head coach, Samoan Olympian and Pacific Games gold medallist, Leuluaitumua Tapunuu Kaino Thomsen-Fuataga said although the competition was tough, his students stepped up under pressure and there is more room for improvement.

"This is an important stepping stone for our athletes preparing for the Pacific Games and Oceania Games. A much-needed tournament for mat time and exposure against many different and experienced fighters," he said. "The athletes did so well and it meant so much to them as they have trained so hard for it. However, there is always room for improvement as the ultimate goal for this year is the Pacific Games and Oceania games.   

"It is a big achievement over a small amount of time and with limited funding and exposure. I thank God for his protection over the athletes and the sport of taekwondo in Samoa. 

"I also want to thank the support of our KLAS Taekwondo club members, family, friends, loved ones and sponsors for making this tournament possible for the sons and daughters of Samoa."

The TUNZ NZ Taekwondo Nationals was an international tournament that attracted fighters from India, Fiji, Australia, Tonga, Samoa and the host country New Zealand. It is also an annual sporting fixture where the New Zealand team vying for spots for the Pacific Games and the Oceania Games are selected. 

According to the coach, most of the athletes who got medals have been training for more than four years, while one has been training and competing for over 10 years. 

"With two local tournaments and two International tournaments both funded and run by KLAS Taekwondo, they have come up against far more experienced fighters but have shown that they can compete, dominate and win against them," Tapunuu explained. "One outstanding achievement was the youngest of the team, 17-year-old Ryan Eteuati who secured two golds in two divisions and pushed the gold medallist to the line in the Senior Open Division earning him silver. 

"These are our national representatives for the 2023 Pacific Games and Oceania in the Solomon Islands and I believe they have what it takes to bring home the goods. Due to funding, we are not able to go to any more tournaments as we self-fund and fundraise as a club."

MEDAL RESULTS:

Ryan Eteuati

Gold (Junior div -74kgs)

Gold (Junior div -78kgs)

Silver (Open div -74kgs)

Oswald Tapelu

Silver (Open div -68kgs)

Irae Mose Simi

Silver (Open div +87kgs)

Silver (Open div -87kgs)

Tovale Filipo

Silver (Open div -57kgs)

Silver (Masters div -57kgs)