Two thumbs up: Yun Jung Bang, head instructor at Yun Jung Taekwondo, congratulates Eleanor Yu, who won gold in the black belt division at the National Taekwondo Championships in Adelaide.Seda Demirkiran (right) also won gold in the red belt division.By Glen Atwell
SPRINGVALE’S Yun Jung Taekwondo is in desperate need of a new trophy cabinet after nine of its members returned from the National Taekwondo Championships in Adelaide with medals.
Success at the school holiday tournament was a dream come true for the up-and-coming taekwondo stars.
Nine competitors represented the club at the championships, seven returning with gold, one with silver and one with bronze.
Eleanor Yu, Seda Demirkiran and Nada Radjatjut headlined team Yun Jung, and all returned to the Springvale club as national champions and with gold medals around their necks.
Eleanor, a year seven student from Wellington College, fought in the black belt division while Seda, 14 and Nada, 8, contested the red belt division.
Seda is a year eight student at Noble Park Secondary College and Nada attends grade two at Springvale Primary School.
Yun Jung senior instructor Yoshiko Kera said the results were amazing and the club was proud of its competitors.
“It was a national championship,” he said.
“There were over 1500 competitors. To leave with nine representatives and return with nine medals is outstanding.
“Everyone fought hard with amazing spirit. The skills were really on show.”
Yun Jung Taekwondo has been operating for five years and Adelaide was the club’s first venture to the national championships.
“It was our first attempt at national medals, but our head instructor Yun Jung Bang had the students ready and confident to win,” Yoshiko said.
Yun Jung Taekwondo welcomes anyone interested in the sport and inquiries can be directed to 9540 8600 or 0402 195 478.
