Taekwondo is a Korean martial art whose roots spread back nearly 2,000 years when it was used to defend Korea against invaders and to entertain royalty. Since then it has evolved into more than self-defense. Taekwondo is the national sport of Korea and became an official Olympic sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. It is also more than a sport...it is truly a way of life!
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Gary has been acknowledged by the head of Taekwondo in Australia (9th Dan Grand Master Sungsoo Lee) as having made a great contribution to the sport. Private classes are available within Rockdale, while open-class lessons are taught at Penshurst Girls High School, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5pm.
Following is a list of Gary's Martial Arts accolades in chronological order:
- 6th Dan (Master) International Black Belt Certificate (Taekwondo Jidokwan, Korea) awarded by Supreme Grandmaster Sung Wan Lee on the 30-10-2007.
- Silver Medal recipient in the senior men's Black Belt pattern competition at the NSW Taekwondo Championships (following withdrawal due to injury) - 2007.
- 6th Dan (Master) International Black Belt Certificate (Korea Taekwondo Jidokwan) awarded by 9th Dan Master Sung Soo Lee on the 18-08-2007.
- Provisional 6th Dan (Master) Black Belt Certificate (Korea Taekwondo Jidokwan) awarded by 9th Dan Master Sung Soo Lee on the 21-06-2007.
- Renewal of Certificate of Accreditation in Martial Arts Instruction (MAIA) - 2004
- 5th Dan (Master) International Black Belt Certificate (Korea Taekwondo Jidokwan) awarded by 9th Dan Master Sung Soo Lee on the 06-06-2002.
- Provisional 5th Dan (Master) Black Belt Certificate (Korea Taekwondo Jidokwan) awarded by 9th Dan Master Sung Soo Lee on the 13-01-2002.
- MAIA (Martial Arts Industry Association) Accreditation (No. 1047) issued 01-07-00.
- Level One Certificate in Coaching issued by the ASC (Australian Sports Commission) - 1998.
- 4th Dan Black Belt (Korea Taekwondo Jidokwan) awarded on the 03-12-98 by 9th Dan Master Sung Soo Lee.
- Recommenced practice of Taekwondo with 4th Dan Habib Francis, at Narwee Public School in late 1996.
- Visited numerous Martial Arts schools trying various disciplines, and discovered that Taekwondo, truly is one of the best Martial Arts. Maintained peak physical conditioning through rigorous, aerobic and anaerobic exercises (Boxercises, Circuit etc.).
- 3rd Dan Black Belt (Korea Taekwondo Jidokwan) awarded on the 31-08-94 by 8th Dan Master Sung Soo Lee.
- Completed approximately 4 years of Taekwondo instruction at Strathfield South High School on the 17-12-92.
- 3rd Dan Black Belt (Australian Jidokwan Taekwondo) awarded on the 31-08-92 by 5th Dan Master Triffon Karamallis.
- Australian Jidokwan Taekwondo becomes an affiliate lifetime member of the N.S.W. Taekwondo Association on the 06/08/92.
- Inauguration of Australia Jidokwan Taekwondo, on the 01-05-91.
- 2nd Dan Black Belt (Korea Taekwondo Jidokwan) awarded on the 15-11-89 by 8th Dan Master Sung Soo Lee.
- N.S.W. Taekwondo Championships, 1st place Senior Men's Black Belt Breaking (7 tiles) on the 25-06-89.
- N.S.W. Taekwondo Championships, 1st place Senior Men's Black Belt over 85 KG on the 25-06-89.
- 1st Dan Black Belt (Korea Taekwondo Jidokwan) awarded on the 22-06-88 by 8th Dan Master Sung Soo Lee.
- Selected to represent Australia in the New Caledonian Taekwondo Championships held in Noumea, on the 22-07-88 (regrettably unable to attend).
- N.S.W. Taekwondo Championships, 1st place Senior Men's Black Belt Heavyweight category 05-06-88.
- Taekwondo Inter Club Championships, 1st place Senior Men's Black Belt Pattern category 17-04-88.
- Taekwondo Inter Club Championships, 1st place Senior Men's Black Belt 100 KG & over category 17-04-88.
- N.S.W Taekwondo Association, class 5 referee status conferred on the 17-04-88.
- Taekwondo Bo Dan (Provisional B/B) awarded on the 05-03-88 by 8th Dan Sung Soo Lee.
- 1987 Player of the year award - Triffons Club, presented by 4th Dan Triffon Karamallis.
- Taekwondo Jidokwan Championships, Runner-up, Senior Red Pattern 15-11-87.
- Taekwondo Jidokwan Tile breaking Open category, 1st place (8 tiles) 15-11-87.
- Taekwondo Jidokwan Free Sparing Red 84KG category, 1st place 15-11-87.
- Taekwondo Red 1 awarded on the 14-10-87 by 8th Dan Sung Soo Lee.
- Taekwondo Red 2 awarded on the 08-07-87 by 8th Dan Sung Soo Lee.
- Taekwondo Red 3 (Belt) awarded on the 01-04-87 by 4th Dan Triffon Karamallis (at Campsie - trained 5 & 6 times a week).
- Koshu Kempo Karate Championships Kumite, 1st place Senior Men's Blue - Yellow category (Pennant & Trophy) on the 15-03-87.
- Kempo Karate Championships, 1st place Senior Men's Free style, White, Yellow & Green on the 02-11-86.
- Admitted to world Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines by LT. Col. Meliton C. Geronimo 10th Dan, on the 07-02-87.
- Sikaran Arnis International Green Belt 6 graded rank, by Jose Mari Diestro JR. 6th Dan on the 07-02-87.
- Skaran Arnis International (Philippine Martial Arts) 3CWB graded rank, by Jose Mari Diestro JR. 6th Dan on the 27-09-86.
- Runner up in the 1980 N.S.W. Judo Association championships (coloured belt category).
- N.S.W. Judo Association, Orange Belt graded rank, by Ray Lloyd Yo-Dan on the 30-11-80.
- N.S.W. Judo Association, Yellow Belt graded rank, By Ray Lloyd San-Dan on the 27-07-80.
