Tristan Fernandez crowned national champion in taekwondo
Fresh from being crowned national taekwondo champion, West Hoxton’s Tristan Fernandez is training harder than ever to fulfil his dream of representing Australia.
Liverpool
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Liverpool has a taekwondo star in Tristan Fernandez who, at 18, has risen to prominence in the sport.
The West Hoxton teenager is blazing a trail, having recently returned from the 2019 Australian Taekwondo Nationals Championship with a gold medal to add to his impressive collection.
Determined to take out the title, Tristan outperformed rival Mackenzie Singleton in the final round of the senior male under-54 weightclass blackbelts this month.
It follows a series of wins, including gold at the 2019 Oceania Championship in Samoa and bronze at the India Open. Last year, the instructor at Martial Arts Spirit also won gold at the Malaysia Open.
Tristan, a Junior Sports Star nominee, has now set his sights on qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games and wants nothing more than to represent Australia on the world stage.
When he’s not training every morning and night, he’s completing an electrical apprenticeship and mentoring students.
“I love what I do and I am fortunate enough to share all my experience and knowledge to my younger students that I mentor,” he said.
“I love sparring at this level. There is no better feeling than getting on that podium while raising the Australian flag.”
Inspired by his family, who all share a passion for the sport, Tristan credited his siblings for his success.
“I couldn’t have done this without my brothers Terrence Fernandez and Travis Fernandez.”
“I love the fighting, but more importantly I love the important life lessons it teaches as you journey through the sport as a martial artist.”