NZ stint good build up for Games: Prasad

National rep Prabhat Prasad will be using the New Zealand Union Taekwondo Championship as a build-up to the 2019 Pacific Games. Prasad is a member of the Francis Ram- coached side that departed yesterday for this weekend’s event which will be held at Te Raupraha Arena, Wellington. Prasad has been involved in the sport for the last 11 years and he is ready for another crack at event where he won a silver medal last year. “My family like combat sports. Some take up karate, kickboxing but I choose taekwondo,” he said.

“I will be using this competition as a preparation for my second Pacific Games next year,” the first year USP accounting management and IBM student said. Coach Ram said, “Our target is 16 medals as we are taking 16 athletes. Last year we took 11 athletes and managed to grab 10 medals.

“This year it’s a history that Asia Pacific Taekwondo Federation in Fiji is taking so many athletes overseas. This will be our second participation and we expect tough competition from our counterparts in New Zealand and Australia. But it is good for Fiji building up to the Pacific Games.”

The oldest rep in the side is Jone Senimoli, 52 of Wainibuku, Nausori and the youngest is 12-year old Adbul Shahil of Ba.

The two-day tournament is scheduled for September 2930. Teams: Junior Male - Abdul Sahil U12 35kg, Ayush

Chand U15 45kg, Akshay Achari U15 48kg, Huzaifa Rahman U15 44kg.

Junior Females: Tanisha Chand U16 Years 46kg, Faaiza Nisha U16 57kg, Aliya Valentine U16 68kg.

Senior Female: Joana Senimoli U68kg welterweight division, Olivia Likusiga U75kg heavyweight division.

Senior Male: Sanil Kumar 20years U55kg, Prabhat Prasad 19yrs U58kg, Bramhans Sharma 32yrs U68kg, Prashil Sharma 23yrs U82kg, Adam Valentine 19 yrs, Over 85kg. Veteran Male : Anthony Valentine over 45years 120kg, Jone Senimoli over 45years 90kg.

Officials: Francis Nand (Coach), Nikita Devi (manager).