SYDNEY, April 10: Carmen Marton and Safwan Khalil have their priorities set after being named in the Australian team for the London Olympics: first taekwondo then tie the knot.
Marton and fiance Khalil were named on Tuesday by the Australian Olympic Committee, along with Khalil’s brother and coach Ali, as Australia’s taekwondo contingent for London. The pair, who met 10 years ago at the Junior World Championships, will marry after the Olympics.
Khalil said having Marton on the team and his brother coaching him in London “completes the puzzle.”
Marton will be competing in her second Olympics after reaching the quarterfinals at Beijing four years ago, while Khalil will be attending an Olympics for the first time after narrowly missing selection in 2008.
“I feel very fortunate to be with someone who knows exactly what it is going to take to prepare and perform at the Olympic Games,” Marton said.
“We have both pushed the lengths of patience and understanding, especially since I am based in Melbourne, preparing with my coaches and club, and he is in Sydney preparing with his coach and club.”—AP