Cup Conclusion

THE Australian Team finished with 1 gold medal and two silver medals in the Individual events and progressed through to the final 8 team championships. Ryan Carneli (silver: bantam weight) fought 5 matches and was probably the most amazing fighter of the day, if not the whole competition, having knocked out Iran in the semi finals. Kylie Treadwell also had an awsome day winning 3 matches: Croatia, Greece and Netherlands. Both Ryan and Kylie unfortunately lost to Spain in the finals but they fought with true aussie spirit right until the buzzer.

IN the team events the girls went down fighting against Turkey 3-2 and consequently finished 6th overall. Whereas the boys overcame the home country and their loud cheer squad first round, but lost to Iran 4-1 in the semis and then France 5-0 for the bronze medal. The boys team thus finished a proud 4th.

The day after comp Amy, Dounia and I joined the Turkish team on their trip to Thailand temples and the famous Aquariam. In addition, this was the day the President of Thailand was overtaken. I'm not sure if that was the right word but political issues are now occuring in the country....:S

Currently I am in Turkey with Bahri having a break. Yesterday we enjoyed a picnic by the beach and had dinner with friends. I love the food here!!! ...Actually I think I just love food regadless of where I am!

WORLD CUP CHAMPION!

:) After 4 fights I am now a WORLD CUP CHAMPION! Alhumdulliah!

1) Chinese Taipei (2-0) or (1 - (-1))
2) Italy (5-2
3) Korea (2-1)
4) Turkey (2-1)

I don't know if it has sunk in yet, but I'm sure by the last day here it will! There is so much to say, but i really need sleep its been a long two days so far and there are still a few more to go! Im just so happy to have won gold a this world cup and happy to be the first Australian to do so:) Onwards and Upwards to Beijing!.

Would like to thank my coach, Daniel Trenton for being so demanding and supportive the last few months. Also thanks to Taekwondo Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), Tony Hewitt and JOLS for their continual support.

THAILAND

Guess who?????? (NO ITS NOT ME!)

"Sawasdikar" Hello!

Safwan and Peter at Opening Cermony!

We are back in Thailand again, and its been very hard to get net access. But finally have made it with only a few minutes to spare!!

It has rained everyday we have been here and four of us were once stranded in a taxi because the engine was pretty much under water....it wasnt a good day to be late for training and the coaches got a little angry... but it really couldnt be helped, unless we walked home in the flood with our training supplies.

Once again Im loving the food~!!! Im overdosing myself on bananas here so that I dont have to buy any in Australia. It is the Kings Birthday in Thailand ...so everyone in the street are wearing yellow tshirts (must be his favourite colour)...to us they all look like referees !;) I have never seen a country love there King so much as Thailand do! Its amazing!

After 5 months I have finally met up with my love:):) It's so great to see him here and he has made me more focused, relaxed +ready to fight.ohhhhh my askimmmmmm! The sweetest thing was when we first met and he bought me a loved heart shaped pillow with our faces on it:) To me it is heaps romantic....but the Aussie team boys called him a "biscuit"....he's just....so sweeeeet!:)

I have uploaded a few photos...because I have had a couple requests:) Hope you all enjoy and please cheer loud for us because we can feel the power from over here! Aussie Aussie Aussie!!!

Day 3 Results

Fought well today, but fell against the gold medallist 6-4 from Korea. Im not one to analyze my fight online so i wont, but I am definately looking forward to world cup which is my main target.
Kristy went down first fight in round 2 to Canada 12-6 (Thats on the news rules..first to twelve and the match ends) They had the new rules at this comp however chose to stick with only three referees.

Tomorrow is Amy Ruth and Dounia

Amy vs Canada
Dounia vs Kuwait
Ruth vs Taipei

2 Day Competition

No aussies are fighting today however Kristy and I did weigh in for our comp tomorrow. I weighed in at 62.9 this time for under 67 Olympic division. Kris and I are both on opposite sides of the draw so if all goes well we will meet in the final. For our first fights,I have got Korea and Kristy has Canada.

As the Koreans keep telling me "Te-Hamingoo" (not sure on spelling) but it means "fighting with power"or something like that. Its nice to know I have some Koreans cheering for me:) Wish me luck!

Korea Results DAY 1 = 1 Silver

1) Olympic Male Under 58kgs - SAFWAN SILVER

1st Place KOREA: YOU Young-dae
2nd Place AUSTRALIA: Safwan Khalil
3rd Place JAPAN : Min Ho Lee
3rd Place KAZAKHSTAN: Yestavletov Batyrbek

Safwan fought well all day. He beat:
China = 3-0
Brazil = 4-1
Japan = 3-1
Lost to Korea in the final: 3-0

2) Ryan Carneli also fought the same Korea guy first fight but unfortunately went down 9-2 in the third round.
3) Burak Hassan fought WTF light weight today. He was on top of his Syrian opponent for the first two rounds, however found it hard to find momentum in the third and lost his match 10-8.

2nd Korean International Champs

KOREAN OPEN
Where: Seoul
When: 4th - 9th September
Olympic Division: 57-67kgs
http://www.koreaopentkd.com

Aus Team Program:

6th September
Burak Hasan = WTF Light 67-72kgs
Ryan Carneli = Olympic -58kgs
Safwan Kahlil = Olympic -58kgs

8th September
Tina Morgan = Olympic 57-67kgs
Kristy Sparre = Olympic 57-67kgs

9th September
Dounia Larho = WTF 55-59kgs
Amy Ash = Olympic 67+kgs
Ruth Rowe = Olympic 67+kgs

2 Year Anniversary

This rainbow was seen in Korea recently. Everyone who passed was mesmorised by it and took out there phones to take pictures.

The Aussie team trained with the National Korean Taekwondo Team today in what would be regarded as their "AIS" facilities. Nothing was that different to any other session we have done besides the jumps, leaps and bounds.

I suprised myself....and the whole room..... when instead of jumping over a person (who was standing nice and tall) and landing on my feet and running through...I jumped over the Korean girl and almost face planted into the ground before miracuously pulling off the army roll of the year.....The sign at the door definately said "TAEKWONDO" not "GYMNASTICS";)Even though I was sooooo embarressed at the time, I am still giggling inside at the thought that I performed the most perfect mistake!:)

Today was my two year anniversary from when I fought at the Olympics in Athens. Memories always come to my mind about the event. Although it was a bad day back then, it is what it was and all I can do now is reflect and live my new journey towards Beijing. I'm enjoying all the moments, both good and bad...as they say "Everyone must go through a storm, to find a rainbow"