Back from left: Victorian Taekwondo Academy Berwick instructors Berty Collinson, Jean Collinson and Mahir Unalan, and, front, Asian Junior Australian Team Selection Championships medallists Jessica Heylbut, Rhiannon Black and Ellen Tjahjana.By Marc McGowan
VICTORIAN Taekwondo Academy Berwick continues to gain recognition after three black belt students enjoyed stellar performances at the Asian Junior Australian Team Selection Championships at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday.
Ellen Tjahjana, 16, battled past four opponents to win gold; Rhiannon Black, 14, endured six fights before taking home silver; and Jessica Heylbut, 14, emerged with bronze after four bouts in their respective weight categories.
Tjahjana has now booked herself a trip with the Australian team for the Korean Taekwondo Open and the Asian Junior Championships in Amman, Jordan, in August.
All three medal-winning efforts came on the back of a strenuous training schedule that involved six sessions per week with instructors Berty and Jean Collinson and Mahir Unalan.
Berty gave the fighters access to his home in the lead-up to the championships to teach them advanced kicking drills and techniques.
David Black, who is Rhiannon’s father and one of the instructors at the local club, is immensely proud of all three athletes.
“It was a very impressive performance considering Jessica and Rhiannon both only got into the 14-to-17 age category this year,” he said.
“Rhiannon’s goal was to get into the finals and hopefully get as high as a silver medal and Jessica was about the same, while Ellen is a couple of years older than the other girls and probably thought she’d get a gold or silver in her category.”
Black expects Tjahjana to be just as successful abroad as she has been in Australia, pointing to her superb work ethic.
“We are rapt for her – absolutely stoked,” he said.
“We think she’ll be competitive at least and maybe even take home a medal.
“I wouldn’t want to say a colour, but she’s certainly a chance to take a medal because she trains hard enough.”
Victorian Taekwondo Academy Berwick is establishing itself as a family-oriented club and conducts lessons on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Berwick Fields Primary School, Centre Road, Berwick.
