Noah Campbell (alongside Josh Kennedy) made a major impression and will now fight for Victoria.
Shepparton’s Noah Campbell will compete for Victoria at the 2026 Australian Taekwondo National Championships in Canberra, with mentor Sammy Rachele tipping him for a bright future.
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The Goulburn Valley prodigy is the latest talented competitor to emerge at the city’s Koryo Taekwondo Centre, which is fast emerging as one of the country’s true combat sports capitals.
Competing at the Colour Belt Selections (Kyorugi) event at the State Netball & Hockey Centre down in Parkville, Melbourne on August 16, the teenager demonstrated his potential with an eye-catching victory over Ali Naqi Haider.
Pitted against the World Taekwondo Centre athlete in the 12-14 age group, it took red belt holder Campbell just two minutes to triumph over his opponent in a landmark moment in his burgeoning career in the dojang.
“He did so well, he wiped the floor with this guy in two rounds and the fight was over,” Rachele said of the youngster’s captivating showing in the state capital.
“He’s had a few fights over the last couple of years and we’re trying to work with him on being able to come from behind and stay positive in a fight.
“But he didn’t have to worry about that with this one, he got his tail up at the beginning and just dominated.”
The prospect was accompanied by Koryo Taekwondo Centre stalwart Josh Kennedy for the bout, with the Australian Open and Victorian Open Series competitor undertaking coaching duties during the spectacle.
“I was at team training and training the Para team in St Albans and Josh put up his hand to coach on the day at the State Netball & Hockey Centre.
“He’s been training with Noah now for years and they get along really well - plus Josh knows his stuff and understands how to coach properly.”
Following his heroics in Melbourne, as he took top sport in the 45-49kg division, Campbell has now earned passage to represent the state of Victoria at the upcoming National Championships in Canberra in October.
Noah Campbell alongside his fellow Koryo Taekwondo Centre athletes after the Victorian Open Series titles.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Providing an insight into what the next couple of months will look like for his young protégé, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rachele.
As an eight-time Australian champion, the Koryo Taekwondo Centre head instructor is well-placed to provide insight into the pathway for Campbell as he looks to continue his development.
“He’s really dedicated, he’s there three or four times a week training” Rachele said.
“He always wants to do fight training, that’s what you need to do to be a fighter - you have to dedicate yourself and he does that.”
Eventually, the hope will be for Campbell to join the Koryo Taekwondo Centre’s roster of black belt competitors, with Rachele certain that the youngster has what it takes to make the grade at the highest level.
“He’s a red belt at the moment and if he puts in a good six to eight months he can get his black belt,” the instructor added.
“Then comes the ability to do it as a black belt, which is the top level - I know he has the ability, it’s just a matter of taking that next step and then the true journey begins!”
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