Instructor
Instructor Connor Fownes
2nd Dan Black Belt
Macarthur NSW Region – Mount Annan Dojang
How long have you been training In Taekwondo? and what got you started?
I first started with United Taekwondo in 2017 when I first began at St Gregory’s College
Campbelltown and I chose Taekwondo as my sport. I trained for the first 5 years up to 3
times a week every week including at school and at Mt Annan Dojang for a total of around 6 hours a week.
Highlights of your Taekwondo success?
Highlights throughout my Taekwondo journey includes the development and learning that I have undertaken to improve my skills and strategies in my sparring in particular. Throughout my training some of the best moments include the times I competed in some of the tournaments as well as being able to complete my black belt gradings. The best part of these activities is being able to look back and see the monumental improvement and being able to identify how various instructors and members were able to help fix and shape your style into the person you have become.
Describe your first black belt grading, and what it took to get you there?
My first black belt grading was very difficult as it required me to prove that I had reached
the level expected of a black belt. To pass required countless hours of hard training (approximately 8 hours a week minimum) to improve to the best of my ability as well as to show how the previous four years of pain, sweat and hard learnt lessons had led me to that moment. We ran through all of the patterns to show that we were able to retain the knowledge that we had spent so long learning; we had to spar all of the black belts to show that we were strong and worthy enough to wear the black belt amongst our peers; we had to break a diverse range of boards to display our techniques and strength as well as finally demonstrating the discipline that was required to lead others along the same path that we lead before them by being good role models. If you failed any part of that you were simply told to return and try again in the future.
How often do you train? in Taekwondo? gym? etc
I currently train at Mount Annan Dojang twice a week and then fit in other forms of cardio – swimming and exercise wherever possible outside of Taekwondo in my work and
extracurricular activities.
Favourite Taekwondo move or moves?
My favourite move in Taekwondo has got to be the in-step turning kick because of how
versatile it is and how it can be worked into nearly any combination to surprise an attacker and end a fight when executed properly.
What are your personal goals in Taekwondo?
I would like to achieve my 3rd degree black belt within the next few years and am also
aiming to compete in tournaments again in the near future.
Your favourite saying and what this means?
My favourite saying is a Latin phrase ‘Ut Alii Vivant’ which translates to ‘so others may
live’. It is my favourite phrase because it is a reminder that selflessness and putting others first creates a much healthier world where-by helping other people through tough situations can have a knock on effect. By helping one person, that person may then go on to help another and another eventually resulting in the one small act of kindness that you showed someone, having in part touched the lives of hundreds of others, and if the time ever comes where-by we need help ourselves, hopefully someone will be there to help us just like we did ourselves.
Best advice you can give someone training and wishing to start training in Taekwondo?
The best advice I can give someone in Tae Kwon do is to not rush through it. To truly
achieve your potential and improve you need to work at it and slowly improve. Through the slow improvements you can work on yourself and ensure that you don’t simply train to get something right but instead you train until you don’t get it wrong. The goal is to not just train your body but also your mind as this is not just a martial art where we learn to fight, but also a martial art where we learn about ourselves while also acknowledging others throughout our art. While training you must focus on yourself and strive to be a leader for the person next to you no matter the age or belt difference.
What other activities apart from Taekwondo do you enjoy?
Outside of Taekwondo I try to dedicate as much time as possible outside of my 70 hour
work weeks, to helping others and the community who have done so much for me. I have done this through volunteer roles such as a Surf LifeSaver down in the Illawarra region as well as through working with the Rural Fire Service in my own local communities in times of need and struggles. The ability to turn up and help someone when they might be going through the worst experience of their lives and provide a service that can minimise the damage, save a life or ease the pain is a humbling and eye opening experience that is among other things, a very fulfilling feeling and knowing that the same community would do it for me gives me a real sense of belonging.
Favourite movie(s) and why?
Hacksaw ridge would be one of my favourite movies of all time. Based off of a true story in WW2 a private in the US military joined and refused to hurt others on the battlefield, instead choosing to give life a 2nd chance as a medic. On Hacksaw ridge after a failed and bloody attack, private Doss stayed behind after his comrades retreated and he successfully treated and lowered 75 injured men from both sides down to safety off of the ridge to be treated by medic’s. This story shows the humanity of all people and that we are all the same no matter our age, race, gender or sex which is a lesson which will hopefully unite us all in the future.
Favourite food?
My favorite food has got to be home made shepherds pie, a recipe from my Grandma which has always been my favorite and a real crowd pleaser everywhere we go.
With regards to Taekwondo, where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
In 5-10 years I see myself sharing my knowledge of martial arts and the experience I’ve
gained from life’s many challenges and sharing that amongst the up and coming generations and groups of people who are willing to embark on the journey through the art. I hope that in the future I will be able to show people who they really are and show them their potentials whilst also providing life skills that they can carry with them forever, so that they to can oneday pass it on.