Canadian taekwondo squad named for Lima 2019 Pan American Games
Canada is one of five nations to send a full team of 13 athletes for taekwondo in Lima
TORONTO (June 11, 2019) – A talented group of 13 Canadian taekwondo athletes have been nominated to compete for Team Canada at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, Taekwondo Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee announced on Tuesday.
Taekwondo Canada will send a full team of four women and four men in a variety of Kyorugi Olympic weight divisions. Five additional athletes will team up for Canada in the Poomsae freestyle competition, which will make its Pan American Games debut in Lima. Each of the athletes earned their spot at the Pan American Games through a Pan Am Games qualification tournament in March.
The eight-member squad competing in Kyorugi events will be led by World Championship medallist, Skylar Park (Winnipeg, Man. – 57kg). A two-time bronze medallist on the Grand Prix, the 19-year-old reached the World Championship podium for the first time in her career last month when she finished third.
“I’m super excited to have qualified for my first Pan Am Games,” said Park. “The goal for Lima is gold. I have a few competitions coming up so those will help me with my training and preparation for Lima. There are few things I need to work on, but I will make sure I’m ready.”
Park will be joined by three other women. Yvette Yong (49kg) and Ashley Kraayeveld (62kg), both of Toronto, Ont., will make their second trips to the Pan American Games after competing on home soil at Toronto 2015. Rachel Cuma (Uxbridge, Ont.) will compete in the women’s 67+ kg category in her first appearance at the multi-sport event.
Four men will head to their first Pan American Games. Scarborough’s Miguel Diaz will fight in the 58kg weight class, while Jordan Stewart will square off in the 80+ kg division. Two athletes from Quebec City, Que., round out the men’s squad. Hervan Nkogho will battle for the podium in the 68kg division. Christopher Iliesco will compete in the 80kg competition.
Team Canada will have four coaches accompanying the team that includes: Jae Park (Winnipeg, Man.); Alain Bernier (Lévis, Que.); and Young Su Choung (Mississauga, Ont.)
Canada also qualified a team of five athletes at the qualifying event for Poomsae’s debut at the Pan American Games. The Poomsae squad will consist of Mark Bush (Calgary, Alta.), AJ Assadian (Vaughn, Ont.), Jinsu Ha (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Valerie Ho (Red Deer, Alta.) and Michelle Lee (Markham, Ont.).
Seoungmin Rim (Calgary, Alta.), will be responsible for Poomsae coaching duties.
“Our goal every time we step onto the mat is to deliver personal best performances, and ultimately, win medals,” said Seoungmin Rim. “These athletes have all proven they can perform in pressure-packed situations. They have worked hard to get this far in their journey towards representing Canada at the 2019 Pan Am Games, and I know they will be ready for this important competition.”
Qualifying a team for freestyle poomsae also gives Canadian athletes the opportunity to compete in individual and pairs events – opening the door for Canada having a chance at four medals in the new discipline at the Games.
Canada was one of five countries to qualify a full team of athletes for the taekwondo events for Kyorugi and Poomsae, which will take place in Lima between August 9-11.
Lima 2019, which will run from July 26 to August 11, will bring together approximately 6,700 athletes from 41 nations of the Americas and feature 62 disciplines in 39 sports. It will be the largest sporting event ever held in Peru.
The athletes and coaches nominated are:
Kyorugi Athletes
- Yvette Yong (Toronto, Ont.) – F49kg
- Skylar Park (Winnipeg, Man.) – F57kg
- Ashley Kraayeveld (Mississauga, Ont.) – F67kg
- Rachel Cuma (Uxbridge, Ont.) – F67+ kg
- Miguel Diaz (Scarborough, Ont.) – M58kg
- Hervan Nkogho (Quebec City, Que.) – M68kg
- Christopher Illiesco (Quebec City, Que.) – M80kg
- Jordan Stewart (Toronto, Ont.) – M80+kg
Kyorugi Coaches
- Jae Park (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Alain Bernier (Lévis, Que.)
- Young Su Choung (Mississauga, Ont.)
Poomsae Athletes
- Mark Bush (Calgary, Alta.)
- AJ Assadian (Vaughn, Ont.)
- Jinsu Ha (Richmond Hill, Ont.)
- Valerie Ho (Red Deer, Alta.)
- Michelle Lee (Markham, Ont.)
Poomsae Coach
- Seoungmin Rim (Calgary, Alta.)
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the COC’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations in late June 2019.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chris Dornan, Communications Manager
Taekwondo Canada
C: 403-620-8731
E: cdornan@taekwondo-canada.com
Josh Su, Specialist, Public Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-464-4060
E: jsu@olympic.ca