The first WTF Continental Qualification Tournament
The first WTF Continental Qualification Tournament for the London 2012 Olympic Games concluded in Noumea, New Caledonia on Sept. 11, 2011 in a great success. A total of 35 athletes from 11 countries participated in this qualification tournament with hopes of winning tickets to London. Four countries grabbed at least one ticket to the taekwondo competition of the 2012 London Olympic Games through this tournament held at the Martial Arts Hall in Doumbia, nearby Noumea. The qualified countries are New Zealand (3 places), Australia (2 places), Samoa (2 places) and Papua New Guinea (1 place). The hall served as the venue for the 2011 Pacific Games taekwondo competition. Samoa has earned tickets to the taekwondo competition of the Olympic Games for the first time in its history since it became a full member of the WTF in 1997. In the women’s under 49kg, Theresa Tona from Papua New Guinea won the place for the Olympics. This is her second consecutive participation in the Olympic Games. In the women’s under 57kg, Robin Cheong from New Zealand defeated Caroline Marton from Australia with the referee’s punitive declaration and grabbed the place. Robin was losing 4-9 before Caroline received the 8th Kyong-go. In the women’s under 67kg, Carmen Marton from Australia knocked out Hayley Schofield from New Zealand in the first round with a kick to the head. In the women’s over 67kg, Talitiga Crawley from Samoa earned her country the first-ever ticket to the taekwondo competition of the Olympic Games. In the men’s under 58kg, 2011 Universiade gold medalist Safwan Khalil from Australia outpointed Marshall Islands’ hope Sam Jason 3-0, awarding a ticket to Australia for London. In the men’s under 68kg, Kismet Campbell from New Zealand won the place following withdrawal of Gilbert Pascua from Guam who was injured in his semifinal match. In the men’s under 80kg, Scott Vaughn from New Zealand defeated Hader Shkara from Australia. In the men’s over 80kg, Kaino Thomsen from Samoa defeated Tqufato Pita from Tonga 7-3, giving the country the second qualification place. Daedo PSS was used for this tournament and the competition ran smoothly.