Tasmanian junior taekwondo athlete set to take on the world at National Championships
Elke Saya is only 8-years-old but already holds a sporting CV few could only dream of on the world stage. This is how she’s been inspired to reach the very top. See some of her best skills here.
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A promising young Tasmanian Taekwondo athlete is set to live out her dream as she heads to the 2025 New Zealand International with over 200 competitors.
Elke Saya, 8, recently entered the World Taekwon-Do Pattern Championships, a competition based in Scotland with more than 700 entrees from around the globe.
The Tassie born was named the winner for the second consecutive year in her youth division.
Now, the blue belt will head to New Zealand to compete.
Elke’s mum, Billie Hill said she is following in her father’s footsteps.
“It was she saw dad, it was pretty fun, kicking and punching, what kid doesn’t want to do that?,” Hill said.
“She saw all the other kids and wanted to get involved and with dad already there it was easy to have all the family in the one spot instead of having to run around.
“Her dad, he is a black belt, and he has been training since he was about nine-years-old and he will compete in New Zealand as well.
“The whole family does it, I am about to grade for my blue belt and her four-year-old sister has just started as well.”
Claudio, Elke’s dad, originally from Argentina, moved to Australia and joined Southern ITF Taekwondo in New Town, and it became a family affair with Billie, Elke and Inka all joining.
Owner and Master of Southern ITF Steve Weston said it was a great to see the commitment paying off.
“They are very dedicated, they drive in from past Brighton to New Town four times a week to train,” Weston said.
“Elke went with me last year to the Open Global Championships with me in June last year and won three medals for her performance.
“She has also won the medal for online video championship which took entries all over the world, which she did again this year.”
With both Claudio and Elke heading over to New Zealand in August, Weston is determined to do what he can to help get the whole family over together.
“I will make sure they all get to experience it together,” Weston said.
“It would be a wonderful experience for them to be there together, it is a beautiful place and it is a great opportunity for Elke and Claudio.
“Billie and Inka should be able to get over there with them so I will do what I can to help get them over there.
“There isn’t a lot of funding put into these types of sports, there is a lot of money to help build up the main sports from grassroots.
“I will see how we can go about getting a grant for Taekwon-Do and that will be able to help us as well as the family.”
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Originally published as Tasmanian junior taekwondo athlete set to take on the world at National Championships
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