By EMMA SUN
Carmen Marton’s the first Australian to win a takwondo world title…
UPPER Ferntree Gully’s super martial-artist Carmen Marton has kicked and punched her way to the top, becoming the first Australian to win a world championship in taekwondo.
The 27-year-old made history last month at the World Taekwondo Championships in Puebla, Mexico, defeating Korean Kim Hwi-Lang 7-3 in the final of the women’s -62 kilogram division.
Though no stranger to succes, having taken out a bronze medal in the 2005 world championships in Madrid, Ms Marton said nothing could compare to this achievement, which she described as a dream come true.
“I’m trying to make the most of it and drag out this happy moment for as long as I can,” she said.
“I just couldn’t believe it, it was really a combination of disbelief and relief that I’d done it. I was so relieved that I’d finally achieved everything that I’d been working for since I was a child.”
Ms Marton attributed her success to keeping focus at all times and going into the match without any expectations.
“In that fight itself, I was focused on playing my own game and keeping her back, staying strong, having a strong presence in the court and just setting up those opportunities to score the points,” she said.
“The scores were even, so I knew I had to work really hard, and I was going to do everything I could to get that final score in, but it was only until I landed that kick to the face that I knew those four points I scored was so close to the timer that she couldn’t get them back.
“I knew then I’d won the match.”
The knowledge that the win meant making history for the Australian team intensified the feeling of exhilaration.
Ms Marton said it wasn’t just a victory for her, but for her whole team and her country.
“Winning the world championships was my original goal since I was growing up, because no Australian had ever done it before and I was determined to be the first,” she said.
“I’m incredibly proud and for me it’s all about proving to all my team mates that it can be done and they should do it too, and can do it too.
“It’s breaking that barrier and showing the best has yet to come for the Australian athletes, we’re so close, and if we had more financial support from the government, we’d have way more champions right now.”
Ms Marton, who has competed in the last two Olympics, said the team only received $10,000 from the government to support their Olympic journey.
She said while they were grateful for any amount of money, they were looking for more support for the coming Olympics.
“Our Olympic qualification starts this December, and we really need to be able to start our Olympic preparations now,” she said.
“It would be fantastic to be able to discuss any sort of interest people have, because we want to get sponsors on board now, so we can work together for three years and share the journey.
“I’ve been living in the Upper Ferntree gully region for 20 years, and it would be great if the local community who followed my journey would like to continue the journey with me.
“I’m excited for the future, I hope everyone’s excited with this win and the community will help me achieve my Olympic dream also.”
Ms Marton is also looking for a car sponsor to get her to and from training.
Anyone looking to support Ms Marton can contact her manager Paula Gleeson at paugleeson@gmail.com
