TAEKWONDO has put aside the dismal performance from the South Pacific Games and now gears up to send the best team for the Oceania Olympic Qualifiers in New Caledonia in December.
Fiji finished off with a lone bronze medal to Sameer Ali in the male Black Belt Fly weight (54-58kg) division in Apia.
It was a huge achievement for Ali who made a remarkable debut at the South Pacific Games arena.
Fiji for the first time will make its debut at the Oceania Olympic Qualifiers scene and team manager Neelu Nand said preparations are well underway.
"We didn't take a full team to Samoa as there weren't much athlete4s to pick from but our preparations for the Olympic Qualifiers has hit the road," he said.
"We have two ways to qualify, one is through the championship in Manchester next month but that's out of the question as it's too expensive so that why we're preparing for the New Caledonia event," he said.
A four-member team of two male and female will carry Fiji's flag at the event. "We have athletes like Elizabeth Bernand and Sameer and the door is still open to those that want to bid a spot," he said.
"There will be a local championship in November where we'll identify athletes to make the team," Nand said.
He said some overseas based potential have shown interest and will be part of the final trials in November. "Some overseas based athletes have shown keen interest and will ensure that the best ever team is taken," he said.
Fiji will be up against Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Samoa.
"All countries are the same, we can't count out anyone as we rate all countries very high," Nand said.