Meet Kadir Erkut, a 16-year-old Taekwondo prodigy from Coburg, Victoria. For the past 10 years, Kadir has dedicated himself to the sport, training tirelessly through his local club and consistently supporting state competitions and programs. His achievements have been earned through hard work, perseverance, and a love for Taekwondo—not through high-performance programs or special pathways.

In February 2026, Kadir achieved an incredible milestone: he qualified for the World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Uzbekistan, set for April 2026. This is a huge opportunity for Kadir to represent Victoria and Australia on the global stage, but participating comes with significant financial costs approximately $6,000 for travel, training, and competition expenses.

To focus entirely on preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Kadir has paused his work commitments, balancing full-time school and rigorous training. While his family is supporting him, additional help is needed to cover the full costs and ensure he can perform at his best.

Kadir’s Key Achievements:

Victorian Silver

Cadet Selections Silver

Winter Victorian Silver

KPNP Open Series Silver (×2)

KPNP Adelaide Gold

KPNP Sydney Gold

NSW Open Silver

Victorians Bronze

Winter Victorians Gold

President Cup Gold

Australian Open Silver

Melbourne Exhibition Silver & Gold

Nationals Bronze

Junior World Selections Gold

Kadir is also seeking additional training partners and hopes to join the 2026 Victoria PDP program to maximize his preparation before boarding the plane in April. Every donation will help fund travel, coaching, training, and the experience that could define Kadir’s Taekwondo journey.

Your support will not only help Kadir chase his dream at the World Championships but also inspire other young athletes to pursue excellence through dedication and hard work.

Let’s help Kadir take Victoria—and Australia—to the world stage!