Bay of Plenty swordfighters heading to South Korea

Swordfighters from Bay of Plenty are heading to South Korea to represent New Zealand at World Mulimpia in July.

Whakatāne Haidong Gumdo Incorporated has seven members who will be representing Haidong Gumdo Team New Zealand at World Mulimpia from July 11 to 19.

In order for all seven members of the club to attend they are working towards their goal of $30,000 in fundraising and sponsorship.

Haidong Gumdo is a Korean Sword martial art which translates to "The way of the enlightened sword".

The club is training hard to compete in a variety of events including individual and team patterns, individual and team paper cutting and bamboo cutting. This is only the second time New Zealand will be represented in World Mulimpia.

Whakatāne Haidong Gumdo Incorporated head instructor Danyel Degenhardt said the club values were to provide whānau a safe place to have fun and be challenged physically, mentally and spiritually.

"When you donate or sponsor us you are supporting our whānau to get to Korea," he said.

The Whakatane Haidong Gumdo Club have a #30000likes for $30000 social media campaign, and are posting regular sword-related videos and photos on Instagram (@whkhaidonggumdo) and on Facebook at Whakatāne Haidong Gumdo.

The club invited the public to follow them on Facebook and Instagram as they work towards their goal of competing at worlds and beyond.