People News Sunday, 02 August 2026

Winston Hills athlete's Australian call-up after golden taekwondo campaign

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Updated 02 Aug 2026

WINSTON Hills Para Poomsae athlete Natalie Craig has earned selection in the Australian Para Pathways Team and qualified to represent Australia at the World Para Poomsae Championships following a remarkable run of success on the international stage.

Natalie's selection comes after claiming three consecutive gold medals at the 2026 World Taekwondo Presidents Cup – Oceania, the Australian Open and the Oceania Taekwondo Championships.

These outstanding performances have also seen her become the No. 1 ranked P23 Para Poomsae athlete in both Australia and Oceania.

"Being invited onto the Australian Para Pathways Team is an incredible honour," Natalie said.

"Winning the three events was something I never imagined at the start of the year. I'm proud of how far I've come, and I'm excited to keep working hard as I prepare to represent Australia at the World Championships."

The Australian Para Pathways Team identifies and develops emerging elite athletes with the potential to compete at the highest international level.

Natalie, who trains at Irontiger Taekwondo in Castle Hill, impressed coaches with her dedication and determination.

Her long-time coach, Master Di Carn, said Natalie's achievements highlighted the growing strength of Para Poomsae in Australia.

"Athletes like Natalie are exactly why the future of Para Poomsae is so exciting. She represents the depth of talent emerging in Australia, and we're hopeful athletes like her will one day have the opportunity to compete on the World Championships stage," Master Di Carn said.

Natalie's parents, Jay and Jamie Craig, said the greatest reward had been watching their daughter's confidence flourish through sport.

"Taekwondo has given her opportunities to challenge herself, build lifelong friendships and prove that autism is not a barrier to achieving extraordinary things," they said.

Natalie will next compete at the NSW State Championships, where she will aim to qualify for the Australian National Championships in Canberra this October.

As she prepares to represent Australia internationally, Natalie is also seeking sponsorship to help cover the significant costs of elite competition, including specialist coaching, travel, accommodation and competition expenses.

Supporters say backing Natalie is an investment not only in sporting excellence but also in an inspiring athlete whose achievements continue to demonstrate the power of resilience, inclusion and determination.

Sponsorship enquiries to Jay Craig | 0400 016 80 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.