Taekwondo: Far North student aims for Olympics

Riley Phillips-Harris is set for a challenge in the US.

Olympic qualification is on the cards for a young Northland athlete, but he is appealing to the local community for support to get there.

Riley Phillips-Harris, from Opua, is gearing up for a trip to the United States in February to take part in two tournaments that will help him qualify to represent New Zealand in taekwondo at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Having been practising the martial art since he was 11, the 18-year-old said his passion for the sport had only grown.

"In fact, I'm pretty hooked now."

In 2011, he had several successes competing overseas, including bringing home the silver medal from the youth taekwondo world championships in Brighton for the junior hyper-heavy weight division. Currently ranked second in New Zealand in the men's under-80kg division, Phillips-Harris said he planned to take over the No1 ranking by force if necessary, in order to make the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

He plans to achieve his goals by competing in two upcoming events in the US next month: the USA Taekwondo World Open in Las Vegas from February 19-23, and the World Class USA Open in Portland, Oregon, from February 28-March 1.

Claiming New Zealand was not regarded as strong in international taekwondo circles, Phillips-Harris admitted he was heading into the arena as an underdog. Yet it becomes obvious this is not someone who lacks self-belief when he says he has what it takes to do well not only qualifying, but at the Olympics themselves.

"What's the saying? Shoot for the stars, miss, you'll land on a cloud." He was also looking at the bigger picture: "My real dream is to put New Zealand on the map for taekwondo." he said, adding "I want to give an alternative to all the kids where rugby isn't really their sport ... maybe they'll gain the same confidence and skills that I've got from it [taekwondo]."

From Kerikeri High School, Phillips-Harris is now studying for a law and politics degree at the University of Auckland, but admitted that funding his dream had become more of a challenge in the past few years.

"University and taekwondo training take up all my time so fitting in a job is a real struggle. My parents are extremely supportive but I've set my sights pretty high, which means a lot of travel and expense are involved."

His plan is to leave midway through February and return in early March and estimates the American campaign will cost at least $4000 for expenses alone.

While currently investigating long-term sponsorship options to help at future events and competitions, Phillips-Harris appealed to the local community to provide some "short-term assistance" for his upcoming journey to the States where he will be representing not only New Zealand but also his Far North hometown.

"At this stage, any support I can get is hugely helpful," he said.

Donations to Riley Phillips-Harris' upcoming American campaign can be made via his website and/or Facebook page.