Champion attitude

Jenina strikes gold again at nationals

Young Sporting Spirit nominee Jenina Lui. Pictures: Peter Kelly

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As NATIONAL taekwondo champion Jenina Lui says, “if we are clear with our goals and priorities and focus on what we need to do to achieve them, the possibilities are limitless in what we can achieve”.

The 14-year-old from Castle Hill is living proof of that motto, after her many hours of practice helped her defend her title at the Australian championships in Bendigo in August.

Jenina practises her moves.

Jenina, who competes in the 12-14 girls 47-51kg category, said it was “really exciting” to win her second national title.

“I was really happy because I was up against quite difficult competitors,” she said.

Although Jenina only started taekwondo two years ago, she has already competed in more than 20 competitions at state, national and international level and won more than 30 gold medals.

She said she learnt from her taekwondo club that “black belts are white belts who never gave up”.

Jenina trains at the Hills District Martial Arts Centre five or six days a week, and juggles her training with netball, basketball, debating, violin and piano commitments.

“Being quite a quiet person, doing taekwondo is like my special place to be so much louder and fiercer,” she said.

Jenina dedication to training has paid off.

Jenina said she overcame her fear of competing against “bigger and more experienced players” by remembering an important lesson her coach taught her.

“In any game, the player has to have a goal and it is not always about getting the gold,” she said.

“Sometimes it is about learning from the game.”

The Young Sporting Spirit category is proudly sponsored by Simonds Homes.

The Junior Sports Star awards are proudly sponsored by Rebel.

To nominate someone you know, visit juniorsportsstar.com.au