The Australian Olympic Taekwondo team is set for Paris, comprising a multi-Grand Prix medallist, a World Championships medallist, and an experienced dual-Olympian.
Bailey Lewis (M-58kg) heads to his first Olympics with form at major events in France, having won back-to-back bronze medals at the 2022 & 2023 Paris Grand Prix.
His most recent Paris Grand Prix performance in 2023 saw him defeat WR12, WR7 and WR2 on his way to bronze, all three opponents being either 2022 or 2023 worlds medallists. Bailey said, “Medalling at two Grand Prix really set in stone for me that these results are not just a fluke, and I have the capability to beat anyone on the day.”
Leon Sejranovic (M-80kg) makes his Olympic debut in Paris, having won bronze at the 2023 World Championships, Australia’s first senior worlds medal in 10 years. “The confidence I have going into every tournament now, I know I’m going in as a world championships medallist. It gives me confidence that I can go into any fight knowing I can win.”
“I’ve had to add new tools and skills, as other international fighters now know my style and have eyes on me.”
Leon was ranked as high as WR6 prior to COVID-19 forcing him into a two-year period without any international competition.
Stacey Hymer (W-57kg) returns for her second Olympics, having debuted in Tokyo. Asked about the difference between her preparation for Paris compared to the Tokyo cycle, Stacey said, “Training has been consistent, hard, fun and testing on all measures of physicality and mental strength. The team has been able to compete in more competitions, training camps and have targeted individual partners attend training.”
Post-Olympic qualifiers in April, Bailey, Leon and Stacey continued to train domestically at the NPC. The three set off to Europe for a three-week training camp alongside National and Olympic athletes from Spain, France, Italy, Venezuela and Korea, in June.
The camp provided the team with opportunities to regularly fight against European style fighters, typically front leg dominant and aggressive. The group performed well throughout the camp and all returned to Melbourne with confidence.
In July, five world class Korean athletes joined the NPC as training partners for the team. The experienced Koreans have won World Championships, Asian Games and Grand Prix gold medals, having all been dominant athletes for a long period throughout their careers.
Commenting on her experiences training with Ahrem Lee, who has won gold medals at all the events listed above, Stacey said, “Having Korean training partners in our last few weeks of preparation has been unbelievable. I had one of the most experienced female fighters, who knows the fighting ins-and-outs of my division, she kept on top of everything I did from technique to fighting strategy. Ahrem was the best person to give valuable advice and it has been the best preparation to dial in and get ready for Paris.”
Bailey added, “After a three-week camp around Europe, to then back up my performance fighting one of the best M-58kg athletes in the world (Jun Seo Bae) was just another boost of confidence.”
Stacey, Leon and Bailey were very fortunate to have these athletes support their preparation for the Olympic Games, giving them a final look at a more agile style of opponent. The remaining NPC athletes also benefited from the Koreans joining their daily training environment, all having opportunities to work with world class partners throughout their stay.
With the Olympic Taekwondo competition held across the last week of the Games, the team will remain in Melbourne for their final preparation phase, before arriving in Paris on August 1st.
Competition Dates:
| Athlete | Division | Date |
| Bailey Lewis | M-58kg | August 7th |
| Stacey Hymer | W-57kg | August 8th |
| Leon Sejranovic | M-80kg | August 9th |
