STA Australian Open and National Championships (Sparring and Poomsae)

This will be the premier national event for taekwondo and will be held at the Carrara Stadium, Broadbeach Road, Nerang QLD (at the Gold Coast) on 7 - 9 September 2012. Competition each day starts at 9:00 am. The event schedule is as follows:

7 September 2012, Friday

Poomsae Competitions and

5-7 pm Weigh-in for Saturday Sparring Competitors at Radisson Hotel

8 September 2012, Saturday

Over 15 years Black Belt and Colour Belt Sparring Competitions and

1-3 pm Weigh-in for Sunday Sparring Competitors at Carrara Stadium

9 September 2012, Sunday

Under 15 years Black Belt and Colour Belt Sparring Competitions

The event will serve as the selection trials for the Australian National Team for the following international competitions:

> Oceania Championships in December at the Gold Coast QLD in December 2012

> World Poomsae Championships in December in Columbia in December 2012

> World Senior Championships in Mexico in May 2013 (subject to final selection trials in March 2013 where all the top 4 athletes in each open division at this nationals may qualify)

Our very own Abby Sangalang will contest the Nationals and hopefully qualifies for the Oceania Championships and the final selection for the World Senior Championships.

Team Taya Taekwondo will be represented at this Nationals for the first time with Kyan Gonzales who will compete in sparring and poomsae and father-and-son Mer and Aya Mercado who will both compete in poomsae under their respective divisions. Good luck Abby, Kyan, Mer and Aya!

Details are available on the Sports Taekwondo Australia website on www.sta.asn.au. Online registration closes on 31 August 2012.