HELP ANDREA GET TO THE RIO OLYMPICS

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Given by 4 generous donors in around 6 months

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MY GOAL IS TO COMPETE AT THE 2016 RIO OLYMPICS IN TAEKWONDO

Auckland

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My name is Andrea Kilday, I am a 2nd degree black belt and started taekwondo at the age of nine. Since then taekwondo has become a very important part of my life and is now a part of my everyday routine. I have completed at National and International championships for New Zealand where I have gained a lot of experience, knowledge and skills and most recently claimed the first ever Pacific Games gold medal for New Zealand in Taekwondo what was held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

As an athlete, my ultimate goal is to gain Olympic selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, in order for me to be selected I must attend more tournaments this year unfortunately these trips are self-funded, which creates barriers and challenges when wanting to attend these competitions. I train six times a week and provide coaching lessons for students at my local club. I am extremely serious about Taekwondo and would be appreciative of any sponsorship or donations that could be provided for me to reach the goals.

Upcoming tournaments I need to attend.

2015 September 3-6th Indonesia Open

2015 November 18-20th Thailand International Open

2015 November 27-28th 11th Tournoi International Open Paris

2016 January 7th Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships Pakistan

2016 March 12th Oceania Taekwondo Olympic Selection Event – Rio 2016

Latest update

2015 Pacific Games Port Moresby Papua New Guinea 21 July 2015

Taekwondo athlete Andrea Kilday, 32, fought her way into the history books overnight winning New Zealand’s first Pacific Games gold medal.

Spearheading a three-strong New Zealand female Taekwondo contingent, the Christchurch born athlete and mother of two now has her sights set firmly on qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Speaking shortly after the fight Kilday said it felt awesome to have won.

“It’s what I needed to do, especially for qualifications next year for Rio. Winning here will help a bit more,” she said.

Competing in the Women’s -46 kilogram division, Kilday rose to the occasion in a tightly contested final bout against Deanna Kyriazopoulos of Australia. The Australian fought hard right to the end, managing to close the small gap between herself and Kilday with a well-executed body shot in the final two seconds of the closing round. This crucial move drew the match level forcing the fight into golden point extra-time.

Despite the added pressure, Kilday rose to the challenge claiming victory with a final blow.

“I knew I had to move around and not allow her to do her cuts,” said Kilday, who rounded out the fight with a sharp head shot to secure the gold medal.

“I had to work to shut her down. It was pretty even the whole way and it was important for me to keep calm and stick to what I knew I had to do.”

This win sees Kilday collect 40 important qualification points and shifts her into a stronger position on the world ranking ladder. The points take her one step closer to realising her dream of competing at the Rio Olympic Games in August 2016.

Kilday’s next focus, funding permitting, is to work towards gaining more points by competing at either the Indonesian Open in September or the Thailand Open in November 2015.

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