Going for gold in Taekwon-Do

Aircraftman Bailey Jeffery has been selected to compete at the Taekwon-Do Federation World Championships in September in Finland.

The 21-year-old joined the Air Force as an aircraft technician in 2020. He is currently completing his training at Base Woodbourne.

A black belt in Taekwon-Do, Aircraftman (AC) Jeffery has been training for 12 years and has represented New Zealand on the international stage four times already.

“I represented New Zealand for the first time at a World Cup in 2016 when I was 15 years old.”

The hard-fought selection process involved a number of factors including previous experience at international and national level events as well as personal attitude at club training and in everyday life.

“There was an official trial weekend in Auckland where coaches saw everyone who was trialling for the team and then made the decision for the team for Worlds.

“I have been selected for both individual and team events for the competition,” he said.

Training requires a lot of dedication and AC Jeffery is grateful for the support from Air Force to make it happen.

“My training involves a variety of sparring, special techniques and patters training within Taekwon-Do, all events I will be competing in at Worlds.

“Outside of Taekwon-Do I do a lot of weightlifting, running, explosive plyometric (jump training) and cardio training.”

In preparation for the competition he is aiming to train between nine to 10 times per week. He will continue to train in Palmerston North every weekend in preparation for the championships.

“I want to do everything I can to make the most of the opportunity and best prepare myself so I can obtain the best possible results at competition time.”

AC Jeffery will represent New Zealand on September 4–10 in Tampere, Finland. He has also been nominated by the Woodbourne martial arts club for the Defence Force Sportsperson of the year award.