MOUNT Gambier’s Azure Taekwondo coach and competitor Kye Todd has returned home from the New South Wales State Championships in Sydney with a gold, two silvers and a bronze medallion.
The 26-year-old competitor is in training for his fifth Australian representation.
He will wear the green and gold with pride in the World Taekwondo Championships in Argentina next year.
Todd – who is no stranger to excelling – said he was pleased with his results at the recent championships in NSW.
He received a gold in patterns, silver in board breaking side kick and team power, as well as a bronze medallion in sparring.
“Patterns is my main focus so I was pleased with my result,” he said.
“I was quite happy with my results overall.
“I go into every tournament not expecting to win, so every medal is a bonus.”
Todd said the competition was a good experience, particularly in the lead up to his Australian representation next year.
At the moment, Todd is training just three to four times a week, but the intensity will increase early next year.
“My next competition is around March and that is when the training will pick up again,” he said.
“The world championships start in late July and I will work hard to prepare for that.
“I am looking forward to competing in the world championships, that will make it number five.”
Todd said despite entering many competitions since taking up Taekwondo in 2002 he still feels nervous before competing.
“It does not matter how many times you compete, I still get nervous, but I just do my best,” he said.
Todd’s future aspirations are to take his own students to the world championships.
“Hopefully I can coach them up to that point so they can experience everything I have been privileged enough to experience,” he said.
