Taekwondo star sets sights on Games spot

GEELONG taekwondo star Alan Salek says he is ready if Australian selectors call his name for a Tokyo Olympics berth — and he has more than a kicker’s chance of getting there.

The nation’s No.1 heavyweight has rocketed up the rankings in a matter of months on the back of medals in international events held on the Gold Coast and a win in Samoa, doing everything in his power to earn his shot.

The 22-year-old must usurp one of the incumbent Olympians and experienced international contenders Safwan Khalil and Jack Marton to take his chance as Australia is only able to take two male competitors across the four divisions.

It is a task Salek believes will be a big ask during the next six months ahead of the selectors making their decision, but a busy tournament schedule should have him battlehardened for a dream call-up.

“You’ve got guys who have been to Olympics or have been competing overseas for the past two or three years nonstop,” the world No.45 said.

“If the opportunity came up I’d fully be ready to give it my best and I’m sure I’d put on a good show.”

But success at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa has only given Salek renewed confidence about competing on the world stage and striving for a future Olympic call-up even if 2020 does not come to fruition.

“It was a tester for me to see how I would handle the training and the experience itself, and it showed me that it is possible,” he said.

“This year I’m also looking at going to another international competition, potentially in the US or Europe, and definitely next year I’ll be going to a few, and it’s just about being noticed by the wider community of taekwondo.”

Salek has already made huge sacrifices to up his training load, including largely stepping away from teaching, but there are more to come as he looks to bolster his international commitments and make a run for 2024.

Adding to that challenge will be a growing study load as he embarks on gaining a PhD in physics.

And taekwondo presents plenty of real-world applications.

“It’s handy knowing about efficiency and conservation of energy because you don’t want to take the hardest route,” Salek said.