Shepparton reigns as Australian Para-Taekwondo capital as starlets win gold at 2026 ATV Moomba Festival
Shepparton taekwondo coach Sammy Rachele has hailed his young stars following their heroics at the 2026 ATV Moomba Festival - as seven competitors came away with medals.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Goulburn Valley is arguably the country’s spiritual home of para-taekwondo, with the region having established a reputation as the Australian capital of martial arts over the decades.
Indeed, Shepparton is noted for having produced a long line of athletes in the discipline including grand master Russell Wood, world no. 13 Damon Vasterink and Victoria state representative Josh Kennedy.
Living up to its billing as a true hotbed of talent, the city’s teenage starlets demonstrated the abundance of their qualities as they earned a staggering haul of nearly two dozen medals between them at the ATV Moomba Festival on March 15.
Incredibly, at total of seven Shepparton prospects succeeded in medalling at the garland event at Parkville Stadium, Melbourne.
Of those who secured a podium spot, five competed in the para events, with three participants having also taken part in the black belt competition.
Those youngsters are the product of the prodigious Koryo Taekwondo Centre on Central Avenue, with the the talents of each athlete having been honed by dedicated head instructor Rachele.
It was a stellar showing from the Shepparton contingent in the state capital as Liam Summers (gold), Brodie Fitzgerald (one gold and two bronze), Seneesa Maearana (gold), Brendon Leeder (two gold and two silver and Allena Nigro (two gold and one bronze) and Annika Best (three gold) took home prizes.
In addition, the aforementioned Vasterink (three silver) and Rakshan Deo (two bronze) had reason to celebrate as they secured medals in Melbourne.
Now, coach Rachele has paid tribute to the talents under his tutelage as he earmarked his Class of ‘26 as potential stars of the future.
“We had five competitors in the Para Poomsae event and Shepparton has the biggest team of Para Poomsae taekwondo athletes in Australia,” he said.
“We’re really proud of that and we’ve got a great team, with three competitors in our team in that division who competed for the first time as black belts.
“They ll came home with medals so it was a really good event and overall a really good day.”
Explaining how Shepparton has emerged as a true epicentre of taekwondo in Australia, Rachele gave his verdict on why the city has established such an enviable track record in this area of martial arts.
“As far as Para goes, I’ve had some amazing support in Shepparton for the last 20 years.
“We work with Banmira Specialist School and every week they bring one or two groups of kids and we do classes with them.
“From there, they want to come to the mainstream classes and join in and that’s how it all starts.
“I’ve also got really good support from Family Care who bring out a group of kids who train every week and, again, the kids come out and enjoy it - they get the passion for it and it just goes on from there.
“Now, here we are today with a great bunch of kids who have the ability to travel the world and represent their country.”
Rachele has a strong track record for honing the talents of stars too with the decorated Para-Taekwondo star Vasterink - who is a two-time national champion - among those he has mentored for several years.
He accompanied the Shepp-born Australian international competitor to the World Championships in both Bahrain and Mexico - while also nurturing Dominic Barlow, who won silver at the World Championships previously.
“If we don’t step up to give these guys the opportunity and allow them to show what they’ve got to offer, then no one is going to do it,” Rachele said, as he opened up on his mantra when it comes to martial arts.
“I’ve been doing taekwondo now for over 40 years and teaching for over 30 and I love all martial arts - it’s great for any person and teaches them courage, patience, developing spiritual tranquillity.
“It’s not about becoming the kind of person who is aggressive and looks for trouble, they remain disciplined and they conduct themselves ethically as martial artists.
“They learn to never give up on anybody, especially themselves, and that personal balance is the key.
“Attitude is a state of mind that sets you apart from the rest,“ he added, as he explained why he feels martial arts has become such a popular discipline in the Goulburn Valley.
“They meet new people and create friendships - it’s the best and you can’t find a bad martial art.”
Demonstrating his unbridled ambitions, the 54-year-old coach admitted that he has one eye on preparing his starlets to compete at the Brisbane Paralympics in 2032.
“Unfortunately 2028 in LA got knocked on the head for Para but it’s looking very promising - as I’m on the Australian Para Taekwondo Committee - that they’re going to say ‘yes’ to Australia 2032.
“That would be the ultimate.
“This year we are waiting to see if Australia wants to do the 2030 World Championships so it’s exciting times ahead.”
“I know these kids have the ability, I’ve travelled the world and saw the best of the best.
“So it’s my job, with the support of their families and the community, to try and get them there.”