Trio putting it best foot forward

Nelson couple Graeme Kettle and Andrea Jones are hoping to kick, punch and block their way at the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship in Hong Kong this month.

It is the first time Graeme, who has attained the rank of Master by becoming a 4th dan, and 3rd dan Andrea will represent New Zealand at the worlds. Joining them is 17-year-old Waimea College student Kiara Puche-Struben, who is already a 2nd dan. The martial artists have been putting in some gruelling training ahead of the competition.

“We went to a training camp in Christchurch earlier this month, under national coach Anthony Chan, and were on the mat from 9am on Saturday to 9.55pm at night.

“And then we were back at it from nine the next morning,” says Graeme, who works for Nelmac at its Bell Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. The 49-year-old admits he has been “wasted” by the competition a few times in the past.

“I have had a shoulder and two knee reconstructions but I am in really good shape at the moment,” confirms the black belt. Through the sport he met Andrea who tutors in commerce and IT at NMIT. They are both instructors at Richmond Taekwondo where Kiara has been a stand-out there.

“She is our protegee with so much potential,” enthuses Graeme. All three comfortably secured enough rating points to qualify for the world championships, but it involved a lot of travel.

“We have been to six tournaments.  Christchurch, Auckland and everywhere in between.  And between us, we won gold at all the events.” But they have realistic expectations at the international level where more than 50 countries are competing.

“Just getting through the first round is the immediate goal and we will bring that experience home,” says Graeme.

Richmond Taekwondo was formed by 6th dan Hamish Wybrow and operates out of the Henley School hall.

“It is booming.  We have more than a hundred students across three classes, from five-year-olds to adults,” declares Graeme. Getting to Hong Kong is expensive, try $6,000 each, so the trio has been busy fundraising. The 16 strong New Zealand team wasn’t named until September which didn’t leave them a lot of time to boost the coffers.

For more information on the championship visit www.worldtaekwondo.org