Brunei Darussalam junior female taekwondo exponent Claral Goh will be representing the country in the highly prestigious World Taekwondo Cadet Championship Fujairah 2025 in the United Arab Emirates to be hosted by World Taekwondo (WT) next month. The championship is a WT-sanctioned G1 competition where taekwondo athletes compete for WT ranking points, which determine their global standing based on performances in sanctioned events. These rankings ultimately influence qualification for major competitions, such as the Olympics. Photo shows Brunei Head of National Coach Master Nikman presenting a Kukkiwon certificate and black belt to Claral Goh. PHOTO: Brunei Darussalam Taekwondo Association Claral has recently earned her black belt but also received her prestigious black belt Dan 1 certification from Kukkiwon, South Korea and been selected to be part of the Brunei Taekwondo national team; a remarkable achievement for a 13-year old athlete. Kukkiwon, widely known as the World Taekwondo headquarters and the home of the World Taekwondo Academy, is the official governing organisation for taekwondo established by the South Korean government. This recognition is testament to Claral’s unwavering dedication, discipline and resilience throughout her taekwondo journey. Claral’s competitive spirit was evident early on at 12 years old when she demonstrated talents and skills. In 2023, she competed in sparring (Kyorugi) at the 3rd Korean Ambassador Cup, where she won gold. Building on that success, Claral continued her remarkable streak at last year’s 4th Ambassador Cup 2024, earning a gold medal in sparring (Kyorugi) and a bronze medal in the high jump kick event. She also translated her skills in the regional scene where she bagged bronze in kyorugi (sparring) at the 2nd North Borneo Open Taekwondo Championship 2023 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Claral’s achievements is not only a reflection of her personal determination but also the invaluable support and guidance of her coaches Master Nikman Waie, Head of National Coach and Coach Park Sang Jin, National Kyorugi Coach, whose belief in her potential and mentorship has been pivotal for Claral’s taekwondo skills. The Brunei Darussalam Taekwondo Association (BDTA) lauds Claral’s achievements as an example of what is possible through passion, perseverance and a commitment to excel. Her journey serves as an inspiration to young Bruneians, particularly young girls, proving that age and gender are no barriers to success when one is driven by a purpose or goal. In its ongoing efforts to promote martial arts, BDTA strongly encourages young individuals- particularly female youth- to explore taekwondo not only as a sport but as a form of exercise and self-defense. – Fadhil Yunus