Taekwondo stars step up

ALBION Park Rail-based South Coast Taekwondo Centre has added more champions to its stable after the recent NSW titles.

With starts such as Kylie Jackson overseas representing Australia and Mile Banda and Jay Gutierrez injured, several new stars stepped up to bring home medals.

Warilla's Sheridan Brown stepped up to a higher weight class and won her division.

"Sheridan won her division in such a devastating style that it even surprised myself, she fights with so much maturity," South Coast Taekwondo Centre's Rob Cooley said.

"With all the National Representatives I have produced none have shown such flair and willingness to follow instructions or diverse techniques to get the win at this level.

"Sheridan threw two awesome back kicks against her taller opponent during the match final with the art of a black belt.

"I think she'll be black belt sooner rather then later as we prepare for the World Junior Selections in 2008.

Sheridan's brother Brade Walder, also snared a gold medal after a comprehensive 7-nil win in his final.

Jacob Blatch also snared a state title, competing against taller opposition.

"Jake never competes against anyone smaller then himself, he is pretty small in stature but has a big heart," Cooley said.

Warilla's Courtney Staneff snared a NSW title with a poised display, blasting away at her opponent and denying her the chance to attack or counter back.

"Courtney listened to instructions and followed the plan really well and got a just result," Cooley said.

Mt Warrigal's Tanaya Rauk found it hard to score with her opponent pushing her about, which let to her first round defeat.

Dapto's Jake Newcombe couldn't make it out of the first round after facing an opponent that hit the target harder. New Malaysian recruit Thaqueef B Noor Hisham (Corrimal) brought the crowd to their feet in his first match, easily accounting for his opposition.

Thawqueef then faced an Australia Team member and although the match started slowly, with both players showing respect for each other, Thaqueef opened up a lead and held it to the end.

In the final Thaqueef was defeated by a strong Sydney club player, as he went into the match with a foot injury that was inflamed during the second last match.

"I feel that Thaqueef could won this bout but next time I believe he won't let it go," Cooley said.

South Coast is at the forefront of running training camps and programs for athletes throughout Australia.

Cooley and his peers from NSW and other states combine to promote holistic training for their own athletes through a mutual private training gathering of camps and competitions, locally, interstate and Internationally.

The last was heralded as a success when Olympian Cynthia Cameron brought her South Australian team to Shellharbour to train with SCTC.