TORONTO (April 23, 2024) – Taekwondo Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the first athletes nominated for Team Canada for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The athletes are:
Josiba Kavadar (Burnaby, BC) – Women – 49 kg
Skylar Park (Winnipeg, Man.) – Women's – 57 kg
Skyler Park qualified for the Paris 2024 Games by finishing third in the World Taekwondo Olympic Rankings for the under-57kg event at the end of 2023. The 25-year-old, who is coached by her father Jay Park, will be making her second Olympic Games appearance. She reached the quarterfinals in her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. Park had a stellar season in 2023, winning gold in five different events, including her first win at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Which earned her a valuable classification in Olympic qualifications. points.
In 2019, Park won a bronze medal in the under-57 kg category at the World Taekwondo Championships, her first podium finish at the World Senior Championships, as well as a silver medal in the same category at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. Park won the World Junior Championships For the 2016 Taekwondo Championships in the -59 kg category in front of a home crowd in Burnaby, British Columbia, catapulting her to the success she would achieve in the following years.
“Having the honor of representing Canada on any stage is always a huge honour, but to have the opportunity to represent your country on the biggest sporting stage in the world is even more special,” Park said. “My team and I are extremely proud and grateful to have qualified for our second Olympic Games. I can’t wait to fight on top of the Olympic podium this summer in Paris!”
Gisiba Kavadar claimed first and second place in the women's -49kg at the Pan American Qualifying Championships in the Dominican Republic earlier this month to qualify for her first Olympic Games. Earlier this year, she won bronze medals at the Canadian and US Open, after winning gold at the Luxembourg and British Open in 2023. She advanced to the quarterfinals at the inaugural Pan American Junior Games held in Cali, Colombia in 2021, three times. Years after she won the silver medal in the under-49kg category at the 2018 World Junior Taekwondo Championships.
“Making the Canadian Olympic Team has always been one of my biggest dreams,” Kavadar said. “I have wanted this for as long as I can remember. The idea of representing my country in such a huge event makes me feel incredibly proud and motivated. And now my Olympic dream will become a reality in Paris 2024.”
Taekwondo will be held from August 7 to 10 (day 12 to 15) at the Grand Palace. Kavadar will compete on August 7 (Day 12) while Park will compete on August 8 (Day 13).
“The Olympic Taekwondo qualification process is extremely difficult, and the fact that we have secured quota places through both the Olympic rankings and the Continental Qualifying Championships highlights Skylar’s continued consistency on the world stage and Joseba’s ability to perform when called upon,” said Dr Allan. Wrigley, High Performance Director of Taekwondo Canada. “Coach Jay and Coach Dan have done an exceptional job getting both athletes to these positions, and are well on their way to preparing them to achieve their Olympic dream of standing on the podium and representing Canada in Paris.”
Team Canada's Taekwondo squad for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also includes the following coaches and support staff:
Shane Britton (Surrey, BC) – Training partner
Jay Park (Winnipeg, Man.) – Coach
Tae Koo Park (Winnipeg, Man.) – Training partner
Daniel Thornton (Courtenay, BC) – Coach
Alan Wrigley (Sooke, BC) – Team Captain
“Taekwondo Canada is very proud of the team we are sending to Paris. Both Skylar Park and Giusepa Kavadar have worked hard to achieve their Olympic dreams and I know all Canadians will be rooting for them,” said Dave Harris, Executive Director of Taekwondo Canada. “A great deal of credit also goes to Skyler’s coach and his father.” Jay Park, as well as Joseba's coach Dan Thornton. Canadian Taekwondo couldn't be more excited to see them all on the world's biggest sporting stage and we wish them all the best.
“Congratulations to Joseba and Skylar, the first two athletes named to Team Canada for the Paris 2024 Olympics! I am so excited to support these athletes as they achieve their dreams and experience this adventure with them. I can’t wait to see Canadian colors shine,” said Bruni Soren, Team Canada’s Paris 2024 Head of Mission. In Paris”.
Taekwondo has been on the Olympic program since Sydney 2000. To date, Team Canada has captured two Olympic medals in the sport – a bronze for Dominic Bosshart at Sydney 2000 and a silver for Karen Sergere at Beijing 2008.
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee's Team Selection Committee after nominations are received from all national sporting organizations.
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Media contact:
David Harris, CEO
taekwondo canada
Tel: 613-695-5425 / C: 519-859-7410
Email: [email protected]
Tara McBurney, Program Director, Sports Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
A: 647-522-8328
Email: [email protected]
