Branch Instructor
Instructor Simon Nikolakopoulos
2nd Dan Black Belt
Campbelltown NSW Region – Denham Court Dojang
How long have you been training In Taekwondo? and what got you started?
I started with United Taekwondo early in 2015 at the Oatley Branch. At the start I joined just to get some fitness in between a busy schedule of work and knew that if there were others around with a similar mindset I would feel motivated to continue.
Highlights of your Taekwondo success?
Highlights in taekwondo are helping others learn their patterns and get through their grades successfully and receiving my black belt. Throughout my years of training I have had the privilege to train along side some of our best instructors at an earlier stage of their own journey.
Describe your first black belt grading, and what it took to get you there?
The lead up to my black belt was training 2 nights at week at Mount Annan and every day at home with my brother Chris. We would push each other to the limits and nit pick at each and every move in our patterns. My black belt grading, as soon as I entered the dojang I felt a rush of adrenaline come through me like “this is it, you’re here now and there is no backing out”. I definitely feel as if I gave it my all.
How often do you train? in Taekwondo? gym? etc
I currently train in Taekwondo 4 nights a week
Favourite Taekwondo move or moves?
My favourite moves are a combination dissected from the patten Yul-Gok –
middle hooking block, middle hooking block, middle punch.
What are your personal goals in Taekwondo?
Passing down my knowledge to new students just like my instructors did with me.
Your favourite saying and what this means?
Treat others how you would like to be treated.
Regardless of what you do for work or who you are before you enter the dojang, treat everyone as an equal.
Best advice you can give someone training and wishing to start training in Taekwondo?
DON’T GIVE UP! Some pick up skills faster then others but that shouldn’t be a barrier, just like in school, everyone learns at their own pace so even if you don’t make a grading just continue on the path and you will find that the skills or techniques you may have struggled with are now your own strengths.
What other activities apart from Taekwondo do you enjoy?
I love fishing and kayaking.
Favourite movie(s) and why?
Prince of Egypt- its one other the earliest movies I can remember from my childhood.
Favourite food?
Can’t say no to a good Lamb roast.
With regards to Taekwondo, where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
In 5 years I hope to have achieved my 3rd Dan Black Belt Branch Instructor, and in 10 years to have other students I have helped train over the years achieve the same goals.