Three taekwondo athletes have been named to represent New Zealand at the Beijing Olympic Games, the selectors announced on Thursday.

Aucklanders Robyn Cheong (57 kg) and Matthew Beach (80 kg), as well as Wellington's Logan Campbell (68 kg) have the ability to finish in the top 16 at the Games in August, the selectors said.

Cheong was placed 16th in the world championships while Beach and Campbell both secured highly credible results at the Oceania championships.

New Zealand was represented by Balclutha dairy farmer Verina Wihongi at the 2004 Games in Athens but she was eliminated in the first round.

The New Zealand Olympic Team to Beijing 2008 currently stands at 18, including four triathletes, nine sailors, three from taekwondo and a synchronized swimming duet.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2008)