Five gold medals headline record performance as academy eyes Solomon Games
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Duddley’s Taekwondo Academy celebrated its best-ever performance at the Honiara Games after collecting 12 medals, including five gold, in what founder and Solomon Islands Taekwondo Federation (SITF) President Joses Dudley describes as a milestone achievement for the club.
The academy secured five gold, four silver and three bronze medals during the taekwondo competition held at SINIS on Tuesday and Wednesday, surpassing its previous performances since the academy was established almost a decade ago.
Speaking to Island Sun, Duddley said the medal haul was the academy’s finest achievement to date.
“As the owner and founder of the academy, I’m very excited and satisfied with the results our athletes and students have achieved.
“This is the best result that we have ever received. I’m very happy with the results,” he said.
Dudley said the achievement reflected years of commitment to developing young athletes through sport and martial arts.
“After almost 10 years of operation, I believe we have truly empowered our athletes and students through sport and martial arts,” he said.
The academy’s gold medal winners were Dorah Medobu, Charlyn Maemae, Sofia Susui, Vicky Vinian and Sylvester Harigagana.
Silver medals were won by Batista Patrick, Stephen Hou, Philimon Boivikena and Matilda Lisa, while Vincent Barure, Betty Hana Falasi and Anthony Siata claimed bronze medals.
Dudley said the achievement was even more rewarding given the standard of competition.
He explained that four of Honiara’s leading taekwondo clubs contested the championships across 16 male and female divisions, making the tournament one of the strongest domestic competitions.
“The four competing clubs are among the strongest clubs, and each fielded its best athletes.
“Only the gold medal winners from the Honiara Games will represent Honiara at the upcoming Solomon Games, so every gold medal was very important,” Dudley said.
Besides leading the academy, Dudley also served as competition manager and said improvements to scheduling and event management allowed the championships to run more efficiently than in previous years.
Looking ahead, he said the latest success will inspire the academy’s younger members to continue striving for higher honours.
“This achievement gives our young athletes courage and inspiration.
“It encourages them to continue training hard so that one day they can also represent the academy and compete at the national level,” he said.
Duddley also acknowledged the support of Honiara City Council (HCC) and the National Sports Council (NSC), saying their funding helped ensure the successful delivery of the taekwondo competition.
The Honiara Games serve as an important pathway for athletes aspiring to represent the capital at the upcoming Solomon Games.
For Duddley’s Taekwondo Academy, the record medal haul marks another significant step in its nearly decade-long commitment to develop young martial artists and strengthen taekwondo in Solomon Islands.
Photo credit: Duddley’s Taekwondo Academy
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