Tonga's Taekwondo Team is "100% ready" for the Pacific Games in Samoa said Coach Master Paula Sitapa in Brisbane.

He told Brisbane’s Radio 4EB FM Voice of Tonga program the team is well prepared.

“As a coach, my job is to make sure that each and everyone in the team reaches their highest potential.” 

He said when he first saw the team in Tonga before the start of the Brisbane training program for the Pacific Games, he doubted their chances. However, he said they are now ready for the games. 

“Taekwondo is a sport that tells the individual that he or she can reach their highest potential in life by realising who they are and their purpose,” he said.

Master Sitapa said the team could overcome challenges at the games because “We are Tongan! We rule and conquered other nations.” 

While in Brisbane, the Tongan Taekwondo Team fellowshipped at the Park Uniting Church Tongan Congregation at Highgate Hill with Rev. Sione Maile Molitika.

Brisbane Tongan Community Event Co-ordinator, Mrs Toakase Layt, said “we are big sports fans both as Tongans and here in Brisbane and we are thrilled to see our Tongan teams selecting to train here in Australia.” 

The team left Brisbane, Australia, headed for Samoa today, 11 July, after several gruelling weeks of training and preparation.

Taekwondo competition starts at the games next week from 16 – 19 July.

The Taekwondo team weren’t the only Tongan athletes training in Australia. Forty athletes from Tonga’s athletics team were training in Townsville, North Queensland in preparing for the games. They stayed at the home of Mr Va‘ai Taumalolo, father of Mate Ma‘a Tonga rugby league player, Jason Taumalolo. 

Taekwondo team:

• Tekiteki Ngahe
• Luke Uhi
• Sione Tufi
• Viliami Moala
• Moala Takelo
• Vi Vaiangina
• Malia Paseka
• Lile Loumoli

• Manager: Baik Yoon Pil
• Head Coach: Paula Sitapa
• Coach: Melekiola Soane Tauliku Jr
• Official: Pita Taufatofua Jr