NZ Martial Arts team wins World Gold Cup 2016

The NZ Taekwon-Do team who won the World Martial Arts Gold Cup last month in Orlando, Florida have now returned home.

- The NZ team successfully ending the 6 year winning streak of the previous Gold Cup Championship team from Jamaica.

- 10 time World Champion and head coach of ‘Van Roon Martial Arts' Carl van Roon described the win as ‘a real upset’ considering the unbroken string of victories Jamaica has had as a team since 2010.

- Van Roon secured victories for NZ in the -85kg category in both the semi-finals against Russia and in the finals versus Jamaica. Having spent 16 years competing on the World Stage, Van Roon’s primary focus has now shifted to coaching; providing opportunities and pathways for the next generation of Martial Arts competitors looking to represent NZ.

- Van Roon’s protege is 21 year old Auckland University law student Riley Phillips-Harris who delivered a personal best performance in the -78kg division, defeating former Olympian and ITF World Cup Champion Kenneth Edwards in their match which secured victory for New Zealand.

- Phillips-Harris described his wins as ‘surreal’ and ‘a dream come true’ having grown up admiring the fighting prowess of what many have described as Jamaica’s most decorated Martial Arts Champion.

ENDS

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