by Olympic-bound Taekwondo athlete Theresa Tona added the Gold Coast Open 49kg gold medal to her bag en route to London on Saturday.
Only two weeks after collecting the gold in the New South Wales Open and the South Australian Open in the same division, Tona dominated her rounds through to the final, all on knockouts.
“She’s world class. She’s very strong,” coach Andy Rutten said last night.
“As a coach, it is very satisfying when your athlete goes in and does what you work on at training. I’m happy because of all the work we did”.
Rutten’s elation comes also from the accolades Tona was receiving from world class coaches and trainers at the events.
The former European champion added that the manner in which Tona won her fights, by knockouts, right through and in the final, was special.
“Her fight style was different, and it caught the attention of other teams”.
Tona also entered into the higher 53kg division for extra fights as part of her lead up preparations.
Rutten mentioned that the higher division fights was an opportunity for her come up against heavier and stronger fighters.
“I am tired, very sore, but am amazingly confident at the way my preparations have been,” Tona said.
“Amazed at the way I’ve trained to fight in a particular way, and seeing the improvements myself.
“ It was a great fight (final), I was happy fighting in the 53kg division too, against the Australian number one.”
Rutten and Tona return to Adelaide tomorrow, before they come back to Port Moresby for the Pacific Games trials in two weeks.
Rutten said it was back now to their video reviews and then workouts before they come to Port Moresby.
The Austria Open is also in sight as the final international lead-up event for London.
Taekwondo PNG president Ower Ila confirmed Tona’s and Rutten’s arrival next week and their relocation to Europe prior to the Olympics.
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