Taekwondo up-and-comer Jerilee makes waves

High kick: Dandenong taekwondo star Jerilee Carkeek in action during the New Zealand Open.

DANDENONG taekwondo star Jerilee Carkeek showed great potential at the recent New Zealand Open competition, winning medals in two divisions.

Carkeek, a red belt, fought in the red belt and black belt division and was impressive, winning a gold medal in the red belt division and a bronze medal in the black belt division.

Held in Auckland, the competition attracted more than 500 competitors from New Zealand, Australia and South Pacific, with a number of good fighters from the region. Carkeek had a decisive win in the red belt division as she displayed good techniques to beat her opponent easily.

In the black belt division, she was not perturbed facing an experienced opponent, one of New Zealand’s top senior fighters, a multiple world championships athlete and 2012 Oceania champion.

The fight was her first international fight against a black belt and she put in a good effort and gained valuable experience. The 21-year-old biomedicine student at La Trobe university trains at Joon No’s Taekwondo in Dandenong branch under grandmaster Joon No.

Grandmaster No said he was very happy with her performance and believes she will be successful in future competitions.

Grandmaster No wants to find sponsors for his athletes so they can travel to more competitions. Call him on 0417 317 970 or via email at joonnostkd@outlook.com.