Master Paul
Master Instructor, Master Examiner
7th Dan Black Belt
Macarthur NSW Region – Mount Annan Dojang
For more information on Master Paul, click to see
A Message from the Founder
How long have you been training in Taekwondo? And what got you started?
I’ve been training for over 40 years and have always had a passion for Martial Arts from the day I saw my first Bruce Lee Movie. At the age of 16, I was involved in a self-defence situation with no idea of how to defend myself. I began training on 7-8-1978.
Highlights of your Taekwondo success?
- Successfully establishing United Taekwondo 2006
- Nominated for Australian of the Year 2006
- Inducted into Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (AMAHOF) 2008
- Nominated for Pride of Australian Medal for Community Spirit 2009
- National All Styles Tournament 2009 & 2010 – National Titles 2nd Place
- Director AMAHOF 2009, Events Coordinator 2010, 2017 & 2022
- Australian Small Business Champion Awards 2010 – Best Educational Service
- Local Business Awards 2012 – Outstanding Health & Fitness Camden/Wollondilly area (Macarthur)
- Published Author / Narrator Self Confidence – The Martial Arts Way 2013
- Local Business Awards 2014 – Outstanding Health & Fitness St George area
- Best Children’s Coach NSW/ACT 2014 AASC selected by the Australian Sports Commission out of 3,500 coaches
- Local Business Awards 2017 – Outstanding Health & Fitness Macarthur area
- 2017 Quality Business Awards – Excellence in Small Business Tamworth area
- Australian Small Business Champion Awards 2018 Best Fitness Service
- Australian Small Business Champion Awards finalist – Fitness, Entrepreneur, Business Growth & Business of Decade 2020
- Published Author / Narrator Building People Not Fighters – a practical parenting guide to discover and nurture your child’s true potential 2021
- Australian Small Business Champion Awards finalist 2022
- Duly assessed and promoted to Master Instructor 7th Dan Black Belt 2023
- Teaching experience over 30,000 hours
For more information, click to see Master Paul’s timeline
How often do you train In Taekwondo, Gym, etc
It is a part of my life and I train and teach seven days a week.
Favourite Taekwondo move or moves?
It would have to be a spinning heel and a jumping back kick. I have practiced them so much that they have become naturally quick and accurate.
Describe your first black belt grading, and what it took to get you there?
After five and a half years of preparation I wondered if I had what was required to be promoted to black belt. I had practiced my pattern hundreds of times and was only required to demonstrate my pattern once.
The first free spar was against a senior student who had great technique and more reach. I was going well until I performed a jumping back kick and placed both feet on his chest. My confidence grew immensely and I realised I had what it takes to be a Black Belt.
They sent in more black belts to spar, but after training seven days a week I was conditioned to receive anything they gave out. The last requirement was the board breaking and on my first two attempts at side kick I was unsuccessful in breaking two boards. Then I heard the Master yell out “Last Time!”. That was all the encouragement I needed as I thought to myself “I have not come this far to stop now!” With that I smashed the boards so hard that I broke the front board in three pieces. Turning kick and jumping back kick went as expected but I hit the hand of the holder during the spinning heel kick and was unsuccessful on breaking a single board.
I was only given one more chance to pass my examination. The Master Instructor asked me to break two board elbow strike. Only two weeks before I had achieved three boards so I lined up with only one purpose. The Master was so impressed he yelled out “Promoted to First Degree Black Belt!”. Everyone in the room celebrated with applause that seem to last forever and I had achieved my dream of being a Black Belt.
What are your personal goals for the future?
To always be proud of who I am and what I do.
What would you like to see more of or less of in United Taekwondo that could benefit members?
More adults experiencing Taekwondo.
Has Taekwondo benefited home life? If so in what way?
It gives me a better understanding of my own family and their needs.
Your favourite saying and what this means?
“Its not what I can do, but what I can do for you that matters”
Ever since starting martial arts people have asked me “What can you do?” and in the beginning I demonstrated kicks and punches that I felt would be impressive enough to satisfy their curiosity. 30 years later I am still being asked the same question, but throughout the years I have focused on offering the opportunity to people to study an art, enjoy their training and build friendships that will last a lifetime. It may or may not be what they are after but I am proud of who I am and enjoy spending time inspiring people to achieve greatness through belief in themselves.
Best advice you can give someone training and wishing to start training in Taekwondo?
Focus on technique, technique and technique.
What other activities apart from Taekwondo do you enjoy?
Golf, Tennis, Pool and Table Tennis
Favourite movie(s) and why?
Mr Holland’s OPUS. The year is 1965. Glenn Holland, a composer who is convinced he is destined to write a historic opus, takes a job as a music teacher to pay the bills. As the years unfold the joy of sharing his contagious passion for music with his students becomes his new definition of success. Mr Holland’s Opus – his symphony – is not one of fame or fortune. It is a symphony of life.
Like Glenn Holland, I will always put others first. The enjoyment I receive when other people are successful is so rewarding that it becomes my enjoyment in life.
Favourite food?
Salt and pepper calamari.
With regards to Taekwondo where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
5 Years – Training and supporting school teachers in taekwondo as they build respectful and resilient children; and a well-respected public speaker.
10 Years – (8th Dan) Continue to contribute to the community in a positive way and be recognised for building people not fighters.
Rest of my life – Still as passionate as the day I started.