SUPPORT ORLANDO MASSEY'S TAEKWONDO JOURNEY

Three medals. Four divisions. One determined young Tasmanian athlete.

At just 13 years old, Orlando Massey is showing what can be achieved through dedication, discipline and a willingness to challenge himself.

A passionate Taekwondo athlete from Tasmania, Orlando has been training with Hoju Martial Arts for almost three years. Under the guidance of Master Josh Warren, he continues to develop his skills, work towards achieving his Black Belt and pursue his ambitions as a competitive athlete.

His 2026 competition season has been a significant step forward, highlighted by his performance at the Australian Taekwondo Championships, where he competed in four different divisions and brought home three medals.

His results included:

🥈 Silver – Cadet Red Belt Sparring Division

🥉 Bronze – Pairs Red Belt Cadet Division, alongside his sister, Payton

🥉 Bronze – Family Red Belt Poomsae Division, also alongside Payton

Orlando's silver medal in sparring was particularly rewarding, following an impressive semi-final performance and a hard-fought final against a highly skilled opponent. Facing strong competition at this level provides valuable experience, tests his ability to perform under pressure and motivates him to keep refining his skills.

His Nationals results build on an already impressive 2026 season, which began with an outstanding performance at the South Coast Open. There, Orlando won Gold in the Cadet 12–14 Year Old Red Belt Under 37kg sparring division, along with an additional two Gold medals, one Silver and one Bronze across multiple events.

Each competition has helped Orlando gain experience, develop confidence and strengthen his determination to continue improving as a Taekwondo athlete.

THE WORK BEHIND THE MEDALS

For Orlando, success doesn't begin when he steps onto the competition mat. It starts long before that.

Orlando trains five days a week at Hoju Martial Arts and completes additional training sessions at home, continually working to improve his technique, fitness, discipline and competition readiness. Under Master Josh Warren's guidance, he is building the foundations needed to progress through the ranks and take on increasingly challenging competition opportunities.

But pursuing competitive Taekwondo from Tasmania comes with an additional challenge.

With interstate travel essential to access major competitions and development opportunities, the costs of competing extend well beyond entry fees. Flights, accommodation, transport, uniforms and mandatory protective equipment all add up, creating a significant financial commitment for a young athlete and his family.

These opportunities are important for Orlando's development. They allow him to test himself against athletes from across Australia, gain valuable competition experience and continue working towards his future goals.

THE 2027 SEASON STARTS NOW

Although the 2026 competition season has finished, Orlando's preparation for 2027 is already underway.

His next major goal is the South Coast Open 2027 in Nowra, New South Wales, in April. With another season of training, development and competition ahead, Orlando is determined to build on what he has achieved and continue pushing himself to improve.

The medals are milestones, not the finish line.

Every training session, every competition and every new challenge is another opportunity for Orlando to grow as an athlete. The aim is to keep developing his skills, gain experience against strong interstate competition and work towards the opportunities that may open up as his abilities progress.

WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

Supporting Orlando means helping a young Tasmanian athlete access the opportunities he needs to develop, compete and pursue his goals.

Your donation can help with the significant costs associated with his Taekwondo journey, including:

• Interstate travel and accommodation for competitions and training camps.
• Competition entry fees and associated costs.
• Uniforms and mandatory protective equipment.
• Training and development opportunities that help him continue progressing.

Every contribution helps ease the financial pressure of competing interstate and gives Orlando greater access to the experiences he needs to develop his potential.

Whether large or small, every donation makes a difference. Your support helps Orlando continue doing what he loves while working towards his goals in Taekwondo.

HELP ORLANDO PREPARE FOR 2027

Orlando has already demonstrated his determination and ability to compete against strong opposition. Winning three medals across four divisions at Nationals is an achievement to be proud of, but his competitive journey is only just beginning.

With the 2026 season complete, preparation for 2027 is already underway. His next major goal is the South Coast Open in Nowra, New South Wales, in April 2027, where he hopes to build on the experience and success of the past season.

Competing interstate brings significant costs for Orlando and his family, including travel, accommodation, competition entry fees, uniforms and mandatory protective equipment.

Your donation can help reduce these financial barriers and give Orlando access to the competitions and development opportunities he needs to continue progressing in Taekwondo.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps support Orlando's sporting journey and his preparation for the season ahead.

Thank you for supporting Orlando, believing in his potential and helping him continue pursuing his taekwondo goals.