Trio Off to Oceania Taekwondo Champions
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Star Sports, Honiara
Three of Solomon Islands’ top taekwondo athletes have departed the country on Wednesday to represent Solomon Islands at the 2026 Oceania Taekwondo Championships in Sydney, Australia.
The event is scheduled for 28–29 March.
Nicholas Sulumae, Erika Jean, and Fred Valentina will compete in the two-day championship, which is expected to feature athletes from across 19 Oceania member nations.
Backed by months of rigorous training, the team travelled alongside head coach Junior Maetia, who is confident his athletes are ready to rise to the challenge
“We have been training consistently since last year, with only a short break over Christmas and New Year.
“The team is ready, and I feel positive that we can perform well. The athletes are prepared to take on this challenge again after competing in major events like the Pacific Games, Olympic qualifiers, and World Championships,” Maetia said.
Hosted at the Whitlam Leisure Centre in Sydney, the championships will serve as a premier regional G4-ranked tournament, offering valuable points toward world rankings and bringing together elite athletes to compete for continental titles.
“This is a G4 event, which means valuable ranking points are at stake. It is very important for our athletes as it contributes to their world ranking and preparation towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and the 2027 Pacific Games,” Maetia explained.
While the team is aiming for strong results, Maetia emphasized the importance of discipline and respect as they face tough international opponents.
The championships will feature Cadet, Junior, Senior, and mixed gender team categories, with the Solomon Islands trio set to compete in the senior division.
With a pix
From left: Fred Valentina, Nicholas Sulumae, SITF President Joses Duddley, Head Coach Junior Maetia, and Erika Jean ahead of their departure. Photo credit: Joses Duddley
