Malia Paseka

The referee stopped the fight after Wiliams delivered a turning kick to Paseka’s head to score 5 points.

Williams also scored an extra 3 points by landing body punches.

A TKO or technical knock out means the ending of a fight by the referee on the grounds of a contestant's inability to continue (because of injuries), the opponent being declared the winner.

The fight was held at the Makuhari Messe Hall in Tokyo. 

The 21-year-old will be Tonga's first female Olympian to compete in Taekwondo. 

Paseka qualified early last year by winning gold in the Women's 67kg division at the World Taekwondo Oceania 2020 Olympic Qualifications tournament held in Australia.

She also claimed gold and bronze medals at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa. 

Paseka is facing challenges to train at an Olympic level with the lack of facilities.

 “Training here in Tonga is good but I wish I could have all the supplies that I need for my training here compared to overseas.”

Paseka is unable to train in Australia since last year due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She added she is not representing herself at the games but “I’m representing my country”.

The Tokyo Olympics is scheduled to begin 23 July.

Malia Paseka wowed the guests at the Olympic Day where the National Taekwondo team performed at the Basilica of St Anthony and Padua in Nuku’alofa.

The event was organised by the National Olympic Committee and attended by the Japanese Ambassador to Tonga, Tetsuya Ishii, TASANOC representatives, sports representatives, primary school students, and others.

Paseka showed off her martial arts skills as she demonstrated self defence moves, taking down two attackers at the same time.