Caption: Tuiaopo Investments KLAS Taekwondo students together with the President of the Taekwondo New Zealand, former New Zealand Olympic Coach for over the past decade  – Jin Keun Oh and Master Leuluaitumua Tapunuu Kaino Thomsen-Fuataga. 

TUIAOPO INVESTMENTS KLAS TAEKWONDO; The sons and daughters of Samoa  returned home with 15 medals – 4 Gold, 9 silver and 2 bronze. After competing in a two-day  tournament at the NZ Kukkiwon Cup 2023 – Taekwondo New Zealand National  Championships. 

The team consisted of 17 competitors and majority of them making their debut in an  international competition, the tournament was a success for KLAS Taekwondo. It was  obvious on the mat that the kids had been preparing for months for the NZ Nationals. 

The proud Head Coach, Samoan Olympian, Pacific Games Gold Medallist and Oceania  Gold Medalist Leuluaitumua Tapunuu Kaino Thomsen-Fuataga shares that though the  competition was tough – his students stepped up under pressure. 

“The highlight for me was seeing our athletes compete well and win against players far more  experienced and were also holding higher belts. Coming from a country with limited sparring  partners and competitions to then competing in a high level tournament against high level  players is a feat in itself and testament that there is so much potential with athletes in Samoa  in the sport of Taekwondo. The medals did not do justice knowing this perspective. To me  everyone deserved to win. It was just a small marginal difference,” he said.

It hasn’t been an easy journey for both the students and the management, but the many  months of training and preparation paid off. 

 

 

Caption: All the 17 students that competed in the NZ Kukkiwon Cup 2023 – Taekwondo New  Zealand National Championships. 

“The level of competition was what we expected as it was also the NZ National selections for  PG and Oceania at the end of the year. High level and also tough, exactly what we needed  for our young athletes and National team members.” 

Tapunuu continued, “A great experience for the young ones and also the National team  members as for most of them this is their first international tournament. Some of the athletes  did not have a proper sparring partner in Samoa so this is the first time they had competed  fully against someone in their weight class. In knowing that, they did exceptionally well. This  is definitely the first of many.” 

Tuiaopo Investments KLAS Taekwondo is in a unique position being the only active Club in  Samoa but it does come with its challenges. Over the years KLAS Taekwondo have had to  pivot with the lack of local competition within Samoa. Forcing the club to host two (2) in house tournaments which were held last year in November and at the Samoa Games in May  2023 .  

This was a great exercise for KLAS students to train, create morale and build a team spirit.  But at the end of the day, there still needs to be more high level competition for KLAS  students to excel. For this reason the opportunity to travel and compete overseas was a  necessary one. 

“Realistically we need more tournaments like this to excel and to dominate. It’s the process  that gets us the results and medals that we want. Sticking to it requires a lot of hard work  and also funding. We hope and look forward to the next possible tournament so that we  continue to raise our flag high amongst the best of them. We will be back. Next time we will  not just look to participate but to dominate.” 

 

Caption: Tevani Laumea awarded the Best Kyorugi Female Player 

Being the only active TKD club in Samoa also presents funding challenges. Flying 17  students, housing them and feeding them did not come cheaply. On top of fundraising, the  club has been fortunate to receive funding from various sponsors and donors to help make  this a successful tournament for the young athletes.  

“All in all, I am very happy with the results. Sport is a long term thing. We get the results of  the time, money and effort we put in. We appreciate and thank all the help and support from  our sponsors and also our families locally and abroad who have been tremendous  throughout this journey. We thank the Lord above for his guidance, protection and provision  for our team as we travelled on the roads and in the air. All the glory goes back to him,”  Master Kaino commented.

For the students so much value was gained through the experience and knowledge while in  NZ for the Taekwondo Tournament.  

 

 

Caption: All smiles from the students training hard for the tournament in New Zealand,  repping the 685 in Aotearoa. 

Silver medalist Niko Vaitupu shared his NZ experience. 

“I’ve learnt so much being here and competing in this tournament. We trained so hard for  this and winning a medal was such a great feeling. All we need is more of this type of  experience to perform at a higher level and improve. We don’t have much back home but we  make the most of what we have.” 

Dante Senio, who also received a silver medal at the NZ tournament reflected, 

“Knowing that we can battle it out with these athletes who had way more experience than us  just fuels the fire to go further. We now also have a better understanding of what our Master  (Kaino Thomsen) has been teaching and telling us about. All the drills and technical aspects  of the game and the mindset required for it. We thank him for preparing us well to compete  

in this Kukkiwon cup NZ tournament.”

 

Caption: President Salā Shan Fuataga and Head Coach Leuluaitumua Tapunuu Kaino  Thomsen-Fuataga receiving the Best Competitive Spirit Award of the tournament 

Final results 

Name	Division	Medal
Corinthians Fritz  Kasimani	Male Minor (Under 8) 25.01 to 30.00 Grade 8-6	Gold
Auliimoana Laumea	Female Minor (Under 8) 25.01 to 30.00 Grade  8-6	Silver
Tevani Laumea	Female Minor (9 to 11) 35.01 to 40.00 Grade  8-6	Gold & Best   Kyorugi Female  Player
Jeannette Fritz-Kasimani	Female Minor (9 to 11) 35.01 to 40.00 Grade  8-6	Silver
Keana Tuaoi	Female Minor (9 to 11) to 55.0 Grade 5-3	Silver
Gianna Simanu	Female Minor (9 to 11) to 55.0 Grade 5-3	Gold
Otele Toleafoa	Male Cadet 53.1 to 65.0 Grade 5-3	Silver
Hele Stowers	Male Cadet 30.1 to 35.0 Grade 5-3	Silver
Sebastian Eteuati	Male Cadet Over 65.1 Grade 1-2	Silver
Luisa Fulivai	Female Junior 55.1 to 59.0 Grade 1-2	Gold

 

Niko Vaitupu	Male Junior 73.1 and Over Grade 1-2	Silver
Dante Senio	Male Junior Over 78.0 Grade 1-2	Silver
Ryan Eteuati	Male Junior over 78.1 BB	Silver
Tovale Filipo	Female Senior 49.1 to 57kg BB	Bronze
Taaloga Faasalaina	Male Senior Over 80.1 BB	Bronze