Ang Kalatas October 2016 | Page 24

24 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.