Finlay Carlyon did the region proud and brought the medals home this month.PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Finlay Carlyon did the region proud and brought the medals home this month.PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Finlay Carlyon, a senior student at Rangitikei College, was one of about 400 competitors vying for titles at the national tae kwan do championships in Tauranga on July 9 and 10.
Winning a gold medal in power breaking and a bronze in sparring, his achievement builds on previousmedal success in a number of tournaments in recent years.
"I was really nervous in the lead-up to the tournament but when it came to the disciplines I had fantastic support from my instructors and fellow competitors," said Finlay.
Tae kwan do is one of the largest martial arts practised in New Zealand and is also an Olympic sport.
Finlay is a black tip student who is hoping to grade to black belt at the end of this year.
"I love training and competing for our club and it just goes to show that students competing from Marton and the Rangitikei can give other competitors in New Zealand a run for their money," he said.
He trains with Danny Motu at the Rangitikei Dragons in Marton and has been a student there since 2010.
