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Young Yvette Boyama from the Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province yesterday won fighter of the tournament in the senior open during the National Taekwondo Championships at Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Complex.
She fought in the junior and senior divisions in the 46kg during the Taekwondo National Championships and won gold in the female senior division.
The 16-year-old based in Brisbane, Australia and fought in the Sunshine Coast and won a gold medal.
She also got a gold in the Australia Taekwondo in Queensland under 46kg black belt.
Her mother and coach Pauline Boyama said preparations has been busy.
Yvette trains long hours and its dedication that she’s put towards sports especially Taekwondo.
She loves fighting so I can’t stop her.
Pauline Boyama
Young Yvette started fighting at the age of 12. Her mom said she has come this far in four short years so she’s done well to come to this level.
She trains hard so we have to give her credit for that.
Mrs Boyama
Boyama said Taekwondo is a physical sport and you can get injured so they plan to go step by step.
Our first and foremost thing is for her to go for the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands.
Young Yvette participated in the junior division in Bulgaria in August last year and because there was no sponsorship from PNG, the family raised funds to travel with her to represent PNG in Bulgaria.
That was when she made her first debut in the world scene and although she lost her first round, she gained a lot of experience by watching raw elite athletes.
For her to go there and experience Taekwondo in another level is good not for her but for PNG as well.
We are passionate about Taekwondo but funding is the problem.
Boyama said her daughter started Taekwondo because she’s a girl and self-defence is important.
She said Taekwondo is a family sport as well so if your daughter is doing it, you should do it as well.
It brings good bonds among families as well.
