AFTER months of tough training North Maclean teenager Tayla Nolte is set to compete at the 2014 sixth Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships this Sunday.
The 14-year-old flew to Edinburgh, Scotland yesterday (November 11) as part of the team chosen to represent Australia at the championships.
She will face some of the world's best taekwondo competitors in the 12 to 14 years division of the competition.
Speaking to the Times before she left Tayla said she had a mix of emotions running through her, largely both excitement and nervousness.
She said over the past two months she had increased her training to six days a week to prepare for the championships.
"I have been training for an hour a day and two hours on Saturday and have been working on my head kicks and speed," Tayla said.
"My reflexes have improved and I have become faster at reacting."
Tayla said she would come up against a competitor from either England or the Isle of Man in her first fight and was expecting tough competition.
"I'm nervous but it will be a good experience and whatever happens, happens," she said.
"My aim is to win at least one fight. To win the whole thing would be the ultimate but if I can win one fight I will be happy."
Tayla's parents, grandparents and sister will be on hand to support and cheer her on in the fights in Edinburgh.
Her mum, Anita Nolte, said she appreciated the money donated to Tayla from friends, businesses and a local councillor to help her achieve her dream of competing for her country.
"It really helped us to get Tayla to the championships so she can gain as much experience as possible in taekwondo," she said.
