My name is Kerim, and I am 14 years old. I am seeking your support as I take my taekwondo journey to the next level. I have been selected to represent Australia at the World Cadet Taekwondo Championships 2023, to be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina on August 28–31, 2023! I will also be seizing the opportunity to compete at the Bosnia Open event on September 2–3, an internationally ranked G1 event, while we are over there.

We are reaching out to the community for support because Australian Taekwondo has advised that funding is not yet available to support the team representatives on this tour, and we have been encouraged to reach out to the community to support my participation. The families bear all costs, including entry fees, compulsory uniforms, airfares, and accommodation. It is estimated that the World Championships in Bosnia-Herzegovina will cost $12,000. Of this, $7,000 will be for athlete expenses and approximately $5,000 for a guardian. Any extra funds accumulated from this appeal will be used towards my future training, competitions as well as Taekwondo gear and equipment.

I am currently a 2nd Dan Black belt, and taekwondo has been a very big part of my life. I have been training at the Olympic Martial Arts Centre since I was 5 years old. At the age of 10, I joined the sparring team to continue my training at a competitive level. I had the opportunity to compete in many tournaments at the State and National levels. I have not only won several local and regional tournaments but also last year's National championships. I have consistently demonstrated a high level of commitment, discipline, and focus in my training, which has allowed me to achieve great success in my competitions. 

I recently competed in my first ever international tournament and came first in my division for the Presidents Cup—Oceania Championship 2023 and the Australian Open 2023, both of which are G2 international competitions. This, along with qualifying for the World Cadet Championships, is a testament to my talent and dedication to the sport.

I have been fortunate enough to be selected for the Performance Pathway Program among the top 20 male athletes in Victoria. The Performance Pathway Program (PPP) seeks to provide positive development opportunities for athletes within a supportive and holistic environment. The objectives of the Australian Taekwondo Performance Pathway Program are to support the development of athletes throughout their taekwondo journey and prepare them for senior performance excellence. I attend additional training 2-3 times a week and have the opportunity to train with some of the best coaches and athletes in Victoria. In addition to this, I also attend strength and conditioning classes once a week.

I am also part of the leadership program at Olympic Martial Arts Centre. This program has taught me leadership skills, knowledge, and the opportunity to teach and motivate students at my centre to perform at their best, as well as to always set a role model and example with every action I take. As we all know, Taekwondo is not just about mastering self-defence techniques, it goes far beyond that. It teaches us essential life skills like perseverance, focus, and determination. Through Taekwondo, I have learnt to conquer challenges and overcome adversity, both on and off the mat. It is a powerful tool for personal growth and development, especially for the young minds that I strive to nurture.

It has always been a dream of mine to join the Australian National Team and represent my country in the international arena. My goal is to win gold at the world championships and bring pride to my country, as well as encourage the next generation to demonstrate what can be achieved when you want it so much.

Below is a summary of my Medal Tally:7-9^th of July, 2023

Selected for World Cadet Championship 2023 to represent Australia at Bosnia

Gold Medal       - President Cup – Oceania Championship 2023

Gold Medal       - Australian Open 2023

 Gold Coast Open, 2023

1x Gold Medal

 Victorian State Competitions

1x Gold Medal, 2x Silver Medal, 1x Bronze Medal 

 National Competitions

1x Gold Medal, 1x Silver Medal, 1x Bronze Medal

Below are highlights from my few competitions:

World Cadet Selections – July 2023

https://youtube.com/shorts/yPlFpFgv7SY?feature=share

Presidents Cup – Oceania July 2023

https://youtube.com/shorts/6RuFLlZ7RyM?feature=share

Australian Open – July 2023

https://youtube.com/shorts/YcUubo3d4Ig?feature=share 

Gold Coast Open – April 2023

https://youtube.com/shorts/wNVDg6GbXtc?feature=share

Victorian State Selections – May 2023

https://youtube.com/shorts/VXHBBwY2aR8?feature=share

You can follow my journey on my Instagram @tkdkerim

As I prepare for my journey in the international arena, your support will play an important role in achieving my goal and giving me the chance to put on my best performance.

We appreciate your support, large or small, which will be appreciated and give myself the opportunity to compete internationally.