Taekwondo: Three Kiwis to compete at Olympics

Three New Zealanders will take part in taekwondo at the London Olympics. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand will have three taekwondo athletes contesting the Olympic Games in London this year.

South African-born Vaughn Scott is in the under 80kg division, where his Olympic ranking is 20. However recent results have lifted the 22-year-old Aucklander to 11th in the Olympic field for July.

Robyn Cheong is in the women's under 57kg class and is training and competing in Korea ahead of her second Olympics.

She is New Zealand's highest-ranked taekwondo athlete, at No 7. At Beijing four years ago Cheong was in the under 49kg division, finishing seventh.

Logan Campell will line up in the under 60kg event, backing up from his top 16 finish in the under 58kg class at Beijing.

A new electronic scoring system at the London Games is a significant step forward, Campbell said.

"It's a huge leap forward as not only can they now record and score multiple points, any unconscious bias towards a higher-ranked athlete is also removed," he said.

Electronic scoring now means there is a new winner every tournament. We've got a good chance of bringing home a medal."

Campbell took a break from the sport after Beijing, but now sits eighth in rankings.
"I've grown up mentally and physically. I know I'm better than last time. I'm a better fighter. I'm fitter, faster and smarter," he said.

The New Zealand team for London now stands at 43, including sailors, rowers, canoe slalom exponents, and a dressage contestant. Selections will continue until July.