Six students, including Taekwondo West Eaton head instructor Annette Buss, represented the state team at the 2018 Australian National Taekwondo Championships in Bendigo, Victoria.
The competition was held over three days from September 21 to 23, and included sparring, poomsae and power-breaking.
The West Eaton crew was successful and brought home three gold, four silver, and four bronze medals.
In sparring, the group’s youngest competitor, Kobe McLaren, showed great determination in his fight to be up by a point.
At the last second, his opponent then scored to take the win.
Although he was disappointed not to win his fight to contest the final, he gained valuable lessons for next time.
Brayden Matheson won his first fight convincingly to move to the final, before taking home the silver.
Nayte Wright was unlucky in the first round and lost his fight to the eventual gold medal winner.
Head instructor and poomsae coach Annette Buss won two Individual gold medals in World Taekwondo and National Championship poomsae.
Steve Spouse won an individual poomsae bronze and a power-breaking gold medal.
Brothers Aiden and Kobe McLaren each picked up one individual poomsae bronze medal.
Wright, Matheson and Kobe McLaren teamed up to perform a team poomsae and came away with a silver medal for their efforts.
Buss said the young students showed maturity beyond their years and great sportsmanship by genuinely congratulating their winning opponents.
She thanked Kim Walter for coaching the sparring kids and for supporting the group during its poomsae days.
Praise was also given to Steve Spouse for refereeing and judging.
The group will soon prepare for next year’s national championships on the Gold Coast.
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