Team Australia Vs France/USA/Korea

For the past few weeks, 4 Korean, 2 French, and 2 USA athletes have come to Australia to help us prepare for the upcoming games. Each Saturday we have practice matches with them. So far I have ben successful on all occasions, winning USA 7-4, Korea 7-4, USA 1-0, and Korea 8-6.
Its great having more people in the gym to make some noise and push us higher. I find whilst they have totally different styles to me, I am learning alot more about myself as a fighter and person.

ASADA Hurts Sometimes!

I know they are doing a great thing, keeping sport clean and athletes honest! ...But I think when they take blood it would be nice if they took a little bit more care on how they jab us! 8 years in the tank and I got an 8 day bruise to match!

Backwards Walking to Beijing

Yesterday was an interesting one for me....Dale, the physiologist, got me to do incline, backwards walking on the treadmill....! I know it might sound strange - and let me assure you I was thinking the same thing as you ( how can u have an inclined walking machine and walk backwards on it!)...hmmmmmmm well there is one here at the AIS and my purpose for using it, is to assist in preventing calf/achilles injuries! After only 30 minutes of walking backwards my calves were shaking as I got off and still shaking at training that afternoon. Today Im really quite sore from the experience, but I am sure next week should be a bit easier:)

MEDIA: From Aussie Olympic Site

For anyone who would like to see abit more on video, below are two links: one for a quick take on our announcement and taekwondo in Beijing. And secondly, a link to my short answers about myself on video....

1) http://www.olympics.com.au/Portals/3/MediaCentre.html#/search/429
2) http://www.olympics.com.au/Portals/3/MediaCentre.html#/search/434

Canberra Friends

Carson Kressley when I first bought him:)
Tanya and Rachael sometimes scare me! hehe ..No thats not how you wear headguards!

The Girls L to R: Michelle (race walking), Petrina (high jump), Kelly (race walking), Chloe (hurdles), Me, and in the front is Tanya (race walking)

Well what can I say about the last few weeks other than - busy, busy, busy!!! Since the team has been announced there has been an increase in the amount of training we do, a greater intensity in the gym and of course more trips to the massage therpaists to keep our bodies in tip top shape!

Since the team has been announced I have also had to come to terms with some of my friends finishing up here at the AIS. First Rachael from Netball left, then Ruth and Amy(TKD)went home, and now Tanya (Racewalking) is in the process of packing to leave! Aaaahh!!! What am I going to do without all these cool chicks here to share laughs with! heheh I dont know if that was a question to anyone, but the answer I came up with was to buy a fish! ...SOOOOOOOOOOOO I now have the coolest, pimped out fish on the block called Carson Kressley. CK is red/purple, has an awsome style sense, a purple tree and fluro pink rocks to match. Whilst he can't talk, cuddle or show any sign he even knows who I am, he does bring joy to my day watching him dart across his surroundings!

OLYMPIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Taekwondo 2008 Olympic Team:

Ryan Carneli: -58kgs
Burak Hasan: -68kgs
Tina Morgan: -67kgs
Carmen Marton: +67kgs

Daniel Trenton: Coach
Taeho Uhm: Coach
Bryan Wilson: Section Manager

Back in Canberra - FREEZING!

Im back at the AIS now, preparing for the games! The last few days have been absolutely freezing and I wish I was somewhere else! The team is formally announced this week so for some of us we are happy to be continuing on with a new chapter in our Olympic journeys, however, most of the squad is in a state of bitter saddness because their time here is ending. For me, although happy to be selected on the Olympic Squad I am also sad to see my friends go through the emotions of not being chosen. I know how it feels to work so hard and have your dreams shattered at the last moment. ...But I am sure they will pick themselves up again and achieve great things in the future.

The past week we have endured swim, gym, soccer and intense training sessions. I learnt how to do a clean and jerk, and snatch for the first time in the gym!!! THAT WAS SO COOL! I thought I was pretty special being able to clean and jerk 40 kilos and I went home to check Olympic records for weightlifting to see if I might be able to change sports later hahaha!!!... I think the record was 142kgs ...so I will just stick to what Im good at and thats taekwondo:)

We also had a pre-team announcement dinner at the AIS. It was basically to thank all the support staff here and to welcome our sport into the Institute. Again, although it was a pleasant evening, the tension amongst the squad was high regarding selection and non selection.

Anyways this Friday the 23rd is the teams formal announcement for all those interested! I'll keep you posted on whats coming up!

SPANISH OPEN: Alicante

The Spanish Open was held in Spain, Alicante on the 25-27th of April. I fought the 57-67kg division. It was a round robin competition comprised of two pools. I fought and beat the current World Champ from Canada 5-3, Spain 6-4 and Sweden in the final 6-3. I was also meant to fight New Zealand in the early stages however she pulled out. It was a good result for me, especially considering on the day I was so sick!

The pictures I have in the album above are of the competition and of our time in Spain. Because we hadn't seen much sun in Korea we enjoyed it at the beach doing recovery sessions. There was also a gym set on the beach we decided to test out!

MY RESULT:

GOLD: Australia - Tina Morgan
Silver: Sweden - Lye Kilborn
Bronze: Canada - Karine Sergerie
Bronze: Morocco - Mounia Abbersoule