Taekwondo: Bay City team strike gold

Team Bay City Se Jong of Hawke's Bay brought home seven shiny gold medals after competing in the Taekwondo New Zealand Open championship in Auckland last weekend.

Competing against the best exponents in New Zealand as well as fighters from Australia, Tonga and India, Team Bay City Se Jong will in all probability have several members in the New Zealand teams competing in Australia, Mexico and Malaysia later this year.

But there is a problem ... sponsorship.

The Hawke's Bay team gold medal winners were Tanielu Pio (15), Robby Pruckmuller (12), Ramo Leef (10), Anna Haronga (11), Koby Deacon (8), Ludovick Hakiwai (9) and Jayden Kelly (15).

Tanielu and Robby are the most likely representatives but unless they find sponsors Tanielu might not make the trip to Malaysia and Robby might miss out on competing in the World Junior Cadet championships for Under-14's in Taiwan and Samoa in 2014

Team manager Camille Pruckmuller said: "We had a most successful tournament. The recent visit to our club by Grand Master Oh paid dividends.

"We also received great support from Taekwondo Olympian, Logan Campbell who helped Robby in his final fight which came down to a golden point, the first hit wins.

"Overall it was a great tournament. All we need now is a sponsor or sponsors as we need $11,000 for international engagements. We have the young talent to hit the world stage."