The Green Island Taekwondo Club is looking forward to hosting the TUNZ South Island Championships next weekend.
More than 200 people, representing 19 clubs, from Wellington to Invercargill, will compete in poomsae and/or fighting on May 16.
Coach Grant Beel said the Daedo electronic scoring system will be used, which would be ''more challenging'' for competitors.
''They have to hit with the correct amount of force. The system is set at different tolerances. There are feet pads. It has to be the right technique. It is more challenging. If you don't hit with the correct technique, the points won't register,'' he said.
Beel said that the club was looking forward to hosting the event.
''We have high hopes for club members. That is all we have been doing - concentrating on the South Islands. All our training nights have been in preparation for this tournament.
''They have got more and more confident. They can see the intensity of the training which is getting harder and harder, closer to the tournament. They are putting in more of an effort,'' he said.
Renee Perenara, who will compete in poomsae, has been practising taekwondo for seven years.
She is one of 43 Green Island Taekwondo Club members who will compete in the tournament.
''I want to get an overall placing so I can attend the TUNZ trial for the New Zealand team. The training for poomsae is challenging. The confidence to get up on the mat by yourself; it doesn't matter how many times you get up there, you still feel sick,'' she said.
Jorja MacKenzie will compete in poomsae and fighting.
''I like fighting. It's fun. It's rewarding when you win,'' she said.
• The TUNZ South Island Championships will be held at the Caledonian Gym, Andersons Bay Rd on May 16. The tournament is open to the public, $2 for children and $5 for adults. Doors open at 7.30am and the tournament will finish at 8pm.
