TAEKWON-DO SUCCESS ... KUKI STYLES
Meet Tupuna Rangi
While the world worked itself into a frenzy this week over an oiled-up Tongan Taekwon-do athlete during the opening of the Rio Olympic games; on the other side of the world, a young Cook Islands Maori man was quietly winning a gold medal at the International Taekwon-Do Federation 2016 World Championships.
He posted these messages on his Facebook page after his win "Guess who got the Gold for the Taekwondo World Championship? Now I feel like a World Champion :) Proud to rep Aotearoa"
"1 Bronze, 2 Silver, 10 Gold medals and a Trophy. Feels good being Grand Champion in Hawkes Bay and World Champion in England (Brighton). Hopefully I can compete in the next World Champs in 2018 which will be held in Argentina"
Tupuna wearing his Gold Medal
Twenty-one year old Tupuna Rangi (Rarotonga, Rakahanga) made sporting history this week when he competed in the first ever Special Needs Division of the ITF World Championships. Tupuna, one of eight members of the New Zealand team, won a gold medal in the Black Belt division for his Patterns work. This year’s championships was the first time ever that special needs competitors were allowed to compete, and the NZ contingent comprising five special needs competitors also carried out a special demonstration item, which received a standing ovation from the international crowd at the event in Brighton.
Tupuna receiving his Gold Medal at the World Champs in Brighton, UK
Tupuna was raised by his father Geoffrey Rangi & his grandparents Berry (from Rakahanga) and Puna Rangi (from Takuvaine, Rarotonga) in Napier. He was diagnosed with Tourett’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder within the Autism Spectrum at a young age and his quality of life improved immensely when he took up Taekwon-Do only three years ago. Not only has it helped his physical fitness, concentration levels and social interaction skills, but he has achieved success & recognition in the following:
- Hawke’s Bay championship Titles Winner in 2014 & 2015
- Spirit of Napier Lions’ Club Young Achievers Award in 2015 for success in Taekwon-Do and leadership at Fairhaven School
- Co-recipient with 3 of his team-mates of the Rob Guildford Memorial Trust scholarship. A scholarship presented in memory of Rob Guildford, the father of Hawkes Bay Magpies & former All Black Zac Guildford. Recipients are recognised for their ability to push on from provincial to national level.
- Attained a First degree Black Belt in March this year
Tupuna transitting through Seoul on his way to London.
In a short period of time Tupuna has not only obtained national & international success but has also found a whole new passion in life since starting Taekwon-do "I am physically fit, I get to travel and meet new people and I am winning medals – all because of taekwon-do” he says.
The President of the International Special NeedsTaekwon-Do Federation of New Zealand, Ben Evans, said “Tupuna is a valued team member who will play a significant role in the development of Special Needs Taekwon-Do internationally”.
Tupuna with his grandmother Berry (top pic) & below wearing his favourite Kuki Airani hoodie with friends
The trip to Brighton to attend the World Championships didn't come cheap, with a cost of around $10,000 per person, the team had to work hard to raise the funds to get them to the four day competition. Accompanied by his grandmother Berry Rangi for the championships, Tupuna was often seen in his “Kuki Airani” hoodie, which is a sign of his extreme pride in being a Cook Islander. He hopes one day to represent the Cook Islands in Taekwon-do and maybe even go to the Olympics.
By Caren Rangi
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