Taekwon Do a way of life for Horowhenua quartet selected to represent NZ at world champs

Taekwon Do has been a way of life for the four newly-minted national team members from Levin who will represent New Zealand at the World Championships in Finland in September.

Kees Whiti, Cruise Wilton, Carmel Ponga and Brenna Green have been practising this form of martial art for between 10 and 14 years, starting at the ages of 10, 8 and even 4.

Taekwon Do is less well known than other martial arts but the Horowhenua quartet feel it offers them a bit of everything. It teaches self-discipline and courtesy, has a competitive edge and offers lasting friendships.

“It suits all ages and is much more than self-defence. Without Taekwon Do I would have been a very different 6-year-old,” said Carmel Ponga.

All four have been training for over a decade, clocking up regional, national and even some international experience.

As part of the national selection, they train two days a month in a training camp. At the club level, they train three nights a week.

To make the national team, their previous achievements had been considered but they also had to compete with 60-plus others at training camp trials.

“The coaches try to pick the ones they think can win,” Brenna Green said.

Kees Whiti is the only one with previous world championship experience, going all the way back to 2019. All four have a black belt in Taekwon Do. Cruise is a 2nd dan, Kees is a 3rd dan while the girls are on their first, one as a junior and one as a senior.

“When you are over 18 you are a senior,” Brenna said.

“You can pick the event you want to do, such as patterns or sparring. You can do as many events as you want.”

All four are entered in different sections and age groups, so they will not be competing against each other. They are all looking forward to the adventure, which will offer invaluable experience competing against people from other nations.

• All four need to raise money to make the trip, so if you can help by sponsoring them, contact Cruise Wilton on 027 351 0908, or cruise.club99@gmail.com.