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© 2024 South Gippsland Sentinel Times

Success interstate for local Taekwondo students

2 min read

JAMIE Dellamina could not be prouder of his daughter Lilly and her Victorian taekwondo comrades.

Alongside her peers from Heenan Taekwondo, Lilly Dellamina recently attended the 2022 Korean Taekwondo Association of Queensland Interstate Open in Brisbane representing Victoria. Together they returned home with 100 medals across 400 events.

Assistant instructor Cassy Heenan (2DAN) secured gold in the Manual Sparring event, whilst Lilly (BLUE 3), and local Bass Coast students, Seamus Donohue (RED 3) and Marisa Rinaldi (YELLOW 2) all secured a silver in manual sparring.

Additionally, Lilly secured gold medals in Technical Breaking Under 10 and Poomsae Teams, silver in Jumpkick and bronze medals in Flying Side Kick, Speedkick and Poomsae Individual.

Seamus took home gold in Jumpkick, Technical Breaking 10+ and Poomsae Teams, silver in Electronic Sparring, Flying Side Kick, Speedkick and Poomsae Individual.

Rounding out the local medal count, Marisa also took gold in Electronic Sparring, Gold Poomsae Individual, Freestyle Individual and Gold Poomsae Teams, silver in Technical Breaking 10+ and bronze in Jumpkick, Flying Side Kick and Speedkick.

Chief instructor, James Heenan also echoed Jamie’s pride with Heenan Taekwondo winning the cup for the most distance travelled.

“Clubs came from far and wide,” James said.

“A quarter of the events we meddled in, that was a group of 12 students, three from Wonthaggi/Inverloch.

“It’s a celebration of the martial art and embraces the whole culture – the Koran Martial Arts Festival.”

With over 20 years teaching experience under his belt and a 5th Dan Black Belt in traditional Taekwondo and 3rd Dan Black Belt in Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo), James was also recently recognised for his achievements being appointed as the Victorian President of the Korean Taekwondo Association of Australia.

“I love the martial art. I started in 1985 and I’m just proud to be a part of the martial art and what it does for the kids,” James said. 

“It’s next level, the team bonding, it creates resilience and confidence…

“It’s grassroots taekwondo events that promotes up and coming athletes.”

Alongside Inverloch and Wonthaggi, local students often travel to Heenan’s Pakenham, Beaconsfield, Drouin and Berwick dojangs for extra practise throughout the week.

Students will also be trialling at the state titles this weekend and wish them the very best.