Local Competitors at National Championships
Donald’s Anisia and Matei Podasca made a strong showing at the 2026 United ITF Australian National Championships at Exhibition Park, Canberra, on Saturday, October 3, with both stepping confidently onto the mats and representing Buloke Taekwon-Do on the national stage.
Their campaign was made possible by the dedication of their parents, who undertook the long return drive from Donald to Canberra – a significant commitment that ensured both athletes could compete at the national championships.
Anisia fought through a highly contested semi-final in the Junior Girls coloured-belt sparring, going down 2-1 on the judges’ scorecard in a narrow decision and just missing a place in the final.
She backed that up with a composed performance in a deep patterns division, earning a well-deserved bronze medal.
In special techniques, despite being the shortest competitor in the group, Anisia cleared the overhead jump and delivered an excellent flying side kick to finish equal first. In the deciding technique, she bowed out admirably to secure the silver medal.
Matei stepped on to the mats for the first time, competing in all four individual events and performing extremely well across the competition.
In Youth Boys coloured-belt sparring, he went down in a tough and bloodied semifinal, showing grit and composure throughout.
He came within a whisker of a placing in patterns, while in power breaking, after working tirelessly on his side kick, he nailed it on the first attempt – a personal gold in anyone’s book.
Matei again came close in the deciding turning-kick round, delivering a solid technique that fell just short of a medal.
It was a proud effort from both competitors, with the pair supported every step of the way by their parents, who went the distance in every sense to see them compete at the national championships.
Victorian Championships Heading to Donald
The national championships also provided an opportunity to put the word out about the next major event for Buloke Taekwon-Do, with the United ITF Victorian Championships set to be held in Donald on Sunday, March 7, 2027, over the Labour Day weekend.
The event is expected to attract strong Victorian clubs, including competitors from Melbourne, Geelong and regional centres such as Mildura, with the potential for interstate participation as well.
Previous regional events have attracted competitors from South Australia, and organisers are hopeful the Donald championships can draw participants from further afield, including Adelaide, Mount Gambier and potentially Port Pirie.
United ITF is a not-for-profit organisation, as is host club Buloke Taekwon-Do, which operates under its auspices and that of the Mallee Sports Assembly. Hosting the Victorian championships will also place Donald firmly in the spotlight as the host city.
Organisers are now hoping local businesses will get behind the event and provide the genuine community support needed to make the championships bigger and better.
With the event still some time away, there is plenty of opportunity for local businesses and organisations to become involved as preparations get under way.
