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SPORTS
THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 7 Number 1 | OCTOBER 2016
Pinay teen adds to Taekwondo medal haul
By Violi Calvert
Since she got into Taekwondo in
2014, this Fil-Aussie girl has been
to over 24 competitions, including
state, national and international
Championships hauling over 30
gold medals. She hopes to be in the
Olympics some day …
Fourteen year old Fil-Aussie Jenina Liu of Castle
Hill in Sydney’s Hills District won a Gold Medal at the
recent 2016 National Taekwondo Championship held at
the Bendigo Stadium in Victoria. This adds to Jenina’s
collection of over 30 gold medals and 14 silver medals
from Taekwondo competitions.
Two years into Taekwondo, Jenina has been to over 24
competitions at state, national and international levels.
“It was really exciting and was a major achievement
for me because I was up against quite challenging
contenders, as well as being in a larger division than usual.
I am really happy that I have been able to hold the Gold
medal in my division for the second year in a row,” said
Jenina on her latest win in the 12-14 division.
“Over the last weeks leading to the competition, the
team and I had to push through a lot of hard training and I
am really glad that it all paid off.”
With regard as to what she enjoys most in Taekwondo,
she said: “For me, I find competing in sparring really
interesting and thrilling. Being quite a quiet person, doing
Taekwondo is like my special place to be a bit louder and
fiercer. Now, coming to Taekwondo is always the most
exciting part of my day after school.
“The Hills District Martial Arts centre has basically
become my second home as I go there almost 6 days
a week. Although Taekwondo can be fun, challenges
include intense trainings that really push you beyond your
limits.”
She added: “My next goal would be getting to
Junior world championships and hopefully, eventually
qualifying into the Olympics.”
A Tangara School for Girls Year 9 student, Jenina was
also awarded the Best Player in her Tangara netball team
and recently was awarded the Most Improved Player in
her 1st season playing in the Tangara basketball team. She
also participates in the yearly Hills Triathlon.
Jenina doesn’t only excel in sports, she is also an
achiever academically, having received five Academic
Excellence Awards last year. She is truly an all rounder
as she plays the piano and the violin and a member of
the Tangara Debating Team and the School Leadership
Group.
In terms of what profession she wants to be in the
future, she said: “As well as hoping to get to major
competitions like the Olympics, I have interests in being a
CEO, Lawyer or Architect.”
Asked what her advice to young people with regard to
the pursuit of sports or their goals, Jenina said: “Make sure
you are doing a sport that you really love, you’re willing
to put your heart into, as that I have learnt, is key to doing
well in it. Sporting activities can be difficult at times
where you even feel like giving up, but it’s all just a mindgame testing you and you just have to fight through. There
are two things that my Taekwondo school instilled in me :
Black belts are white belts who never gave up .”
Jenina who was born in Australia, has only one sibling,
12 year old Jamie Joshua. Her father Jerry hails from
Novaliches while mother Glenice is from Paranaque, both
in the Metro Manila area.