The Papua New Guinea Taekwondo Federation (PNGTF) Team landed back in the country on Sunday at the Jackson’s International Airport, after qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic set on July. The PNG Taekwondo Federation left the country with a strong six-man team focused on qualifying for the Paris Olympics in the Solomon Islands Qualifiers but came back two man short and four qualifying to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, the loss, this is an exciting Milestone that will go down in the history of the PNG Taekwondo Federation as they look forward to their first ever Olympic Games in the history of PNG in the Taekwondo Athletics division. The PNG Taekwondo athlete qualifiers Mr. Gibson Kaogo Mara, Ms. Manage Tapari, Mr. Kevin Kassman and Mr. Harea Loi were very excited and speechless of their achievement but remain focused on the bigger prize in Paris. According to Mr. Mara he had only begun taekwondo training for less than two years and excelled quickly to into the competitive selections to join the PNG Taekwondo Team. Though he felt unready and unworthy for the in the event, the heartily and warm motivational support from his team encouraged his win greatly. “The support from the team really pushed me to do my best when I was in uncertainty. I will do my best in training and aim to bring home a gold medal.” said Mara. PNG Taekwondo President John Cholai expressed gratitude to the Taekwondo athletic team with a warm welcome from the Jackson International Airport. In SI, the team was led by Head Coach Edward Kassman and Assistant Coach Paschalis, along with training and conditioning was led by the Taekwondo Federation’s strength and conditioner Coach Colland Koki. Head Coach Kassman was pleased with the efforts from the team staff and athletes and expects to begin training immediately once settled. “I am pleased with the results despite the few unexpected challenges, we have qualified for the team look forward to Paris Olympics Games.” According to Coach Kassman, the Paris Olympic Games will be an unpredictable event for the team as the result gained from the SI Olympic Qualifier was an eye opener of the potential of the athletes. "Being new in the event brought uncertainty but we conquered better than anticipated."