The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:

Provincial Taekwondo Team off to Nationals

Thirteen members of the NFWTF Taekwondo Association will represent the province at this year's Canadian National WTF Taekwondo Championships in Toronto, on July 10, 11, 12. This event is for Black belt athletes only and is expected to draw more then 700 competitors in 16 divisions, (eight male and eight female).

The team is comprised of officials and athletes from all around the province who qualified for this event through the 1997 Provincial Taekwondo Championships held in Stephenville in May 1997.

The team delegate is Master Wayne Simon, and the team officials are: Leon Benoit (head of team), Ervin Mitchelmore (team manager) and Reg Cantwell (team coach). The athletes are: Tara Mitchelmore (1996 Canadian National Gold Medallist) from Corner Brook, Judy Cantwell (1996 Canadian National Bronze Medallist) from St. John's, Lisa Young from Port au Port, Kristal Gillam from Stephenville, Natasha Barnes from St. John's, Darrell Green from Gambo, Steve Pope from Mount Pearl and Gerald Brown from Stephenville.

The three day annual National Championship is the only official Team Canada selection event for the World Taekwondo Championships, the Pan-Am Games and the most coveted sporting event the Olympic Games. The Gold medallist in each division this year will represent Team Canada at the World Championships.