Greenbank taekwondo competitor heads to New Zealand

The 17-year-old from Greenbank will face-off in the women’s senior under 62kg event against competitors from South Korea, Greece, Italy, China and America.

The G2 event is a precursor to a Commonwealth Championship selection event.

Nolte said she would be trying her hardest at the competition as her goal is to attend the 2018 championship.

“Really I just go in there and what happens on the day happens,” she said.

“There are competitors from Australia but I haven’t come up against them before.”

Nolte said she was feeling good going into the NZ competition after taking out gold in the recent Gold Coast open competition.

She fought in the junior under 63kg event, but due to her number one Australian ranking only had to compete in one fight.

Nolte said it was a good strong fight and she fought hard to overcome the height difference.

“I just brought my drills we’d been working on onto the mat,” she said.

Nolte won her fight 9 points to nil.

“It’s good to be able to take part in these club rounds to see what works and what doesn’t,” she said.

“Every time I fight my reaction time becomes faster.”

Before each fight Nolte has to get into the zone, by taking a walk around each arena and listening to her music.

“People are pretty respectful at these events,” she said.

“They know you are there for a purpose and mostly they come up wish you luck and let you do your thing.”

Nolte trains with Rawlins Taekwondo and travels throughout the Brisbane region for various training and sports management appointments each week.

“I train at least five days a week and there’s mental preparation in that too,” she said.

“Your headspace is just as important as your fitness.”

A previous version of this story referred to the Commonwealth Games rather than the Commonwealth Championships.