To be able to fight at Nationals and to represent NSW the kids had to qualify at the NSW State Championships and land in the top four of NSW. 

“We took nine fighters and eight qualified, the only reason we didn’t have all nine was because yellow belts don’t qualify to go through to the next round despite coming third,” Head trainer Jeff Crane said. 

Haktari brought home five gold medals from the meet with Alexis Reid, Ebony Pender, Riley Denley, Hunter Pender and Harry Luka qualifying at the NSW state championship as number one while the other kids qualified with silver and bronze. 

When the young fighters travel and fight in Bendigo they will not only represent Haktari Taekwondo and the district but they will represent as part of the NSW team.  

According to Mr Crane the students are taught discipline from when they first start, with kids as young as seven doing self warm ups and dynamic stretching. 

“At seven they learn to take ownership and have a routine they can stick to,” he said. 

The students are taught to know game play so that when they fight in a competition they know exactly what they have to do. 

“We teach them strategies and they can do it, each student also has a fight plan so they know what kicks they will start with and if the fight goes awry they can chase points,” he said. 

When questioning the students on their game plan, the students answer without hesitation. 

“I’ll start with a cut kick on the front leg and then go for extra points,” student Jorja Pender said. 

Wanting to keep up with modern technology Haktari is one of two Taekwondo gyms in NSW that uses electronic scoring. 

“It’s the same technology as what they use at the Olympics,” Master Crane said. 

“We want to be as current as we can be so we adopt these methods and run with it.” 

The gym is also set up like a competition ring with two octagon shaped rings so that students will know what to expect when they go to competitions. 

“It is full contact but we have the best safety equipment available,” he said. 

Adults don’t participate in the younger students classes and students are paired with kids around the same height. 

“From the belt to shoulder they can punch and kick as hard as they want,” he said. 

“This sport is quite fast so I am very proud of them and everything they remember to do.” 

Alexis Reid, Jorja Pender and Ebony Pender have been friends for years but the girls now enjoy Taekwondo with one another as they train three to four times a week together for Nationals. 

 “I can basically kick people in the head and still be friends with them after,” Alexis Reid said. 

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Alexis first found her love for the sport three years ago when she came to watch a Lithgow competition that saw the fighters get kicked, break their nose and saw blood.

“I just wanted to get out there do it and once I started I haven’t been able to stop,” she said. 

Alexis then inspired Jorja to give the sport a go two years ago at a buddy day and then a year later Ebony Pender decided to give the sport a go.

“Jeff said I had potential so when I was on my yellow belt I gave competition a go and won my first ever comp,” Ebony said. 

Each girl said that going to the Olympics would be the ultimate goal for them. 

“I just want to represent Australia and spread the word about how amazing Taekwondo actually is,” Alexis said.