​Students of Tam Taekwondo Mudokwan received the opportunity to attend one of Bai Rui’s bi-annual tournaments in Brisbane, on the 12th and 13th of October. The team consisted of 7 members, Sasung Tam, Sabum Mayumi Tam, Elaine, Kevin, Ronson, Zayn and myself, with the latter 6 competing. 
 
This was my first tournament so initially, I was hesitant to join and a little anxious about travelling all the way to another state, fearing I wouldn’t perform well. With the encouragement of my seniors, we were able to finalize my registration. It was a great chance to expose myself to other Taekwondo dojangs and students, taking in certain admirable strengths, as well as reflecting on myself while observing my weaknesses. 
 
I thoroughly enjoyed the weeks leading up to and during the competition. It was really fun to train during class, and on the weekends, with an excitement in the back of my mind “I need to train well for the tournament.” The feedback received from Grandmaster Tam for my sparring and patterns felt like really wise words that I had to keep in mind. I enjoyed watching and training with my seniors and instructors as they inspired me greatly to stay motivated for the few weeks before. 
 
During the few days at Brisbane, especially the comp days, I experienced a sense of unfamiliar support from our team that I never felt before. Even when I lost a few matches for sparring and was quite disappointed internally, I was encouraged by team members for trying my best. All the adults from TTM took great care of me wonderfully, while Elaine and Kevin treated me with delicious meals.
 
From this tournament, I realized two big weaknesses of mine. One was fitness which affected my stamina during sparring, therefore limited my ability to perform certain techniques. The second area of improvement was being able to spar smartly, resulting in me getting punched in the face a lot. After the competition, I received lots of insightful feedback on how to improve my techniques in sparring from TTM instructors, seniors, and also from the judges on how to improve my patterns. 
 
Our small team of 6 competitors achieved impressive medal results with 5 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze. I was fortunate to win a gold for pattern and bronze for sparring. All who participated, including supporters from Zayn’s family, Ronson’s dad, and Sabum Alan, contributed to our success in building team spirit, and provided energy for all the competitors to persevere. Memories of eating at Sunnybank Market Square, everyone snacking in the arena during their free time, supporting and taking videos of each other, really made me realize that TTM is like a family and even if we win a medal or not during the competition, we already won by being together. 
 
Taekwon,
Vanessa Yang

Please visit our Gallery to view photos and videos of us at the championship: www.taekwondo.org.au/gallery.html
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On Saturday, September 21st, I had the fantastic opportunity to fly in and compete with others in the CHITF Taekwondo State Championships in Melbourne. This tournament, aside from some small, local ones before COVID, would have been my second ever competing, the Nationals in Cairns earlier this year being the first. I found myself excited, ready to get back in after catching a glimpse of it in Cairns. While both my gold medals were amazing surprises, I was especially shocked at my outcome in sparring since it’s what I am much less confident in, and I was definitely feeling the nerves during my rounds. Tournaments are a great way to build up experience and courage as well as have fun and meet new people, especially for lower belts. I made many new friends and got familiar with the Australian Taekwon-Do world. Though TTM only brought 9 competitors this time around, we still managed to rank 3rd in schools overall, bringing 8 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals. Go team!
 
Well done to all competitors who all showcased extraordinary efforts and many thanks to Christie Lau for supporting the team! Everyone’s hard work is to be commended, and is surely a reflection of competitions to come.
 
Taekwon,
Tanya Liu 

The 2024 ITF Taekwondo-Do National Championship in Cairns was, I believe, a long-anticipated tournament for a lot of people. For a lot of new practitioners, this would have been the first tournament since the COVID lockdowns; for me, I was excited to do a tournament again in Australia after such a long time. It was almost like a reunion since I saw many familiar faces since the World Championships in Kazakhstan.

I used this tournament as an opportunity to practice for larger-scaled, international competitions as I made it my goal this year to compete with people overseas. Everyone has different athletic goals - I really want to challenge myself and see how far I can go. There was some experimentation; I was working on weight manipulation techniques, as I was planning to compete in a lower-weight division. I also included conditioning training on top of Taekwon-Do training as I recognised fitness and strength is one of my weaknesses. Most of all, I was excited to do tougher training with like-minded people over the weekends. 

The tournament itself was a much-needed spark within the community. Whilst there were fewer competitors compared to other ones historically, it was nice to see people become motivated to compete again and be eager to train harder and perform better for the next competition.

Taekwon,
Elaine Li

Results and medall tally
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Following the successful grading at Strathfield South dojang, the Tam Taekwon-Do Mudokwan (TTM) Annual Dinner and Award Presentation took place at The Family Brasserie, Massey Park Golf Club, Concord. The evening was a culmination of achievements, dedication, and recognition of outstanding contributions within the martial arts community.

New Instructor Award:
A momentous occasion unfolded as the New Instructor Award was presented to Mr. Charlie Lay. Acknowledged for his commitment to running classes during Bsb Mark Balfour's absence, Mr. Lay demonstrated exceptional leadership, embodying the values of Bondi Beach dojang.

Long Service  Awards:

• 10 Years of Continued Support, Commitment & Dedication Award: Jason Yohana, Elaine Li, and Alyssa Fraccaro.
• 10 Years of Dedication & Support Award: Jeremy Dang.
• 20 Years of Continued Support, Commitment & Dedication Award: Izumi Tam.
• 20 Years of Dedication & Support Award: Brison Chow.

These individuals were honored for their unwavering dedication and commitment over the years, contributing significantly to the growth and success of TTM.

Awards for Excellence:

• Best Grading Result: Ava Tran, Rodin Gurung, Scarlett Nguyen, and Lucas Sekulceski.
• Outstanding Achievement Award: Grace Wee, who showcased remarkable success at the 2023 ITF Taekwon-Do World Championship in Kazakhstan, earning a silver medal in patterns and a bronze medal in sparring.
• Outstanding Performance Award: Kevin Quach, Elaine Li, Mayah Yeung, Chloe Tan, Adamrinjarni, and Zayn Hage were recognized for their outstanding performance at various local, inter state and international tournaments. Kevin and Elaine competed in the 2023 ITF Taekwon-Do World Championship in Kazakhstan, receiving high praises and feedback from the head coach. These individuals have competed in multiple tournaments, gaining valuable experience and expressing eagerness for future participation.

Dedication and Most Improved Awards:

• Dedication Award: Brandon Kidner.
• Most Improved Student Award: Nathanael Chan, Richard Ni, Moses Soukie, Mia Cetindermir, Joshua Javier, Clark Huynh, Marcus Tsui, Zaynab Ibrahim, and Harvey Chan.

Selecting the recipient for the Most Improved Student Award proved to be a challenging decision, as numerous individuals demonstrated exceptional commitment, hard work, and dedication to their personal growth. After careful consideration, the nominees emerged as standout candidates, showcasing a level of self-improvement, devotion, and commitment that set them apart from their peers.
Each nominee demonstrated a relentless pursuit of excellence, making it evident that their hard work was not only noticed but celebrated by the entire community. The Most Improved Student Award reflects not only their physical accomplishments in martial arts but also their unwavering commitment to personal development, reflecting the core values of TTM.

Attendance Awards:

• Perfect Attendance Award: Shuen Lee.
• Attendance Award: Bianka Lee, Ryan Lee, Evelyn Huynh, Rianne Chan, Reilly Chan, Ronson Chan, Myf Choi, Evelyn Ieong, Marnie Chan, Minji Huang, and Dr. Michael Zhu.

ITF Black Belt Certificates:
Congratulations to the latest ITF Black Belt recipients:

• 4th Dan: Vanessa Ly.
• 3rd Dan: Isaac Tsui, Richard Chan, and Grace Wee.
• 1st Dan: Kelvin Chung, Alyssa Fraccaro, Jessica Dang, and Ethan Tran.

Sasung and Sabum Tam expresses gratitude to all parents and students for their unwavering support throughout the year and beyond. The evening was a resounding success, filled with memorable moments that reflect the strength and unity of the TTM family. Here's to another year of growth, achievements, and continued success.
 
Last but certainly not least, we extend a heartfelt and massive thank you to Sabum Jackson Chan for his exceptional efforts in organising and orchestrating this truly memorable event. Sabum Jackson's dedication, meticulous planning, and commitment ensured that the Tam Taekwon-Do Mudokwan Annual Dinner and Award Presentation was a resounding success. His leadership and passion for martial arts have undoubtedly contributed to the positive and uplifting atmosphere that permeated throughout the evening. Sabum Jackson's commitment to excellence sets a standard for us all, inspiring and uniting the Tam Taekwon-Do Mudokwan family. We express our deepest gratitude for his invaluable contributions, without which this event would not have been possible. Thank you, Sabum Jackson Chan, for making this occasion an unforgettable celebration of achievements, camaraderie, and the spirit of Taekwon-Do

Definition of Taekwon-Do grading

Taekwon-Do grading is a comprehensive process where an examiner assesses a student's technical performance and theoretical knowledge. This evaluation also includes an appraisal of the candidate's character as a Taekwon-Do practitioner. The allocation of points during this assessment determines whether the student advances to a higher rank or regresses in their standing.

​On December 3, 2023, a modest gathering of students submitted their applications for grading at the Strathfield South dojang. Each individual had diligently put in effort throughout the year to demonstrate to the examiners, Sasung and Sabum Tam, that they deserved promotion to a higher belt. All participants showcased their best performances during this grading session of the year and successfully passed their belt tests.

Congratulations to:

9th Gup TaekwonKids White belt yellow-tip
Fidele Hawli and Aris Fallon

9th Gup White belt yellow-tip
Bjoern Schmelzer

​8th Gup Yellow belt
Loughlan Go

7th Gup TaekwonKids Yellow belt green-tip
Harvey Chan, Marnie Chan and Kieran Chung

6th Gup TaekwonKids Green belt
Zane Cetindermir, Hamza Ibrahim and Shuen Lee

5th Gup TaekwonKids Green belt blue-tip
Reilly Chan

3rd Gup TaekwonKids Blue belt red-tip
Richard Ni

3rd Gup Blue belt red-tip
Clark Huynh and Benjamin Murr

​After years of dedicated training and unwavering focus, the momentous day has arrived to recognize the commitment and competence of our esteemed practitioners. The grading, conducted on the 3rd of September 2023, rigorously evaluated candidates in various aspects, including patterns, hand & foot techniques, self-defense, breaking, and a theory test.
New Dan Holders:
1st Dan Black Belt:

• Jessica Dang
• Kelvin Chung
• Ethan Tran
• Alyssa Fraccaro

3rd Dan Black Belt:

• Isaac Tsui
• Richard Chan
• Grace Wee

4th Dan Black Belt:

• Vanessa Ly

Tam Taekwon-Do Mudokwan (TTM) proudly congratulates and announces the promotion of the following individuals to their respective Dan ranks. Each candidate demonstrated exceptional skills, knowledge, and a true understanding of the martial art. Their performances in patterns, hand & foot techniques, self-defense, breaking, and the theory test have proven their worthiness to wear the esteemed Black Belt.
The journey to achieving a Dan level is not only a testament to their physical abilities but also reflects their mental fortitude, perseverance, and dedication to the principles of Taekwon-Do.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jessica Dang, Kelvin Chung, Ethan Tran, Alyssa Fraccaro, Isaac Tsui, Richard Chan, Grace Wee, and Vanessa Ly on this significant achievement. Your hard work and commitment to the art have not gone unnoticed, and we look forward to witnessing your continued growth and contributions to Taekwon-Do.

Congratulations on reaching your goal in your Taekwon-Do journey. We look forward to seeing your next goal and challenge.

On September 10, 2023, I embarked on a journey towards my red belt in Taekwon-Do. The anticipation made me nervous, but my determination to give it my all prevailed. Watching all colour belts work hard and train for their grading filled me with excitement and curiosity. I am immensely grateful to our instructors, parents and everyone who offered their unwavering support.It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from our peers and witness their dedication.
​Awesome job to everyone for giving their best, it was an unforgettable and truly awesome day.

Six days later...

On September 16, 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the CHITF NSW Taekwondo Championship. It marked my debut in the Australian taekwondo tournament scene, where I competed in both pattern and sparring events. The experience was enriching as I learned from my opponents and made new friends along the way. While I was admittedly nervous during sparring, I reminded myself to stay calm and think strategically. I am immensely grateful to the coaches, hosts, parents, fellow competitors, and the enthusiastic spectators who made this event memorable. This tournament served as a valuable learning experience, and I'm thrilled to share that I clinched the gold medals in both pattern and sparring categories. The journey from quarterfinals to finals in pattern and the challenging bouts in sparring were met with excellence by all participants. It's a moment deserving of a resounding round of applause, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. 

​Chloe Xin Ying Tan - 2nd Gup

he 153rd  Tam Taekwon-Do Mudokwan grading was held on Sunday 10th September 2023 at Rockdale dojang.
Everyone was welcome to watch the grading. Parents and friends had the opportunity to see the progress of their family members in this belt test.

Altough nervous, most of the TaekwonKids performed very well. The most oustanding result was achived by Ava Tran and Lucas Sekulski. Both of these two white belts sat for double grading shown excellent pattern and sharpness of techniques executed. The youngest graded on the mat was Hendrix Kha. Hendrix being a very brave boy, graded alongside with his older dojangmates with lots of confidence. 

TTM congratulates all who passed their grading and thank all parents, friends and black belts for their support in making this grading session a successful one.

9th Gup TaekwonKids White belt yellow-tip
Ava Tran, Rodin Gurung, Melvin BK, Ian Thapa, Trisha Gurung, Stefan Koulouris and Hendrix Kha

9th Gup White belt yellow-tip
Philip Korotiya and Lucas Sekulski

​8th Gup TaekwonKid Yellow belt
Ava Tran, Annabelle Ni, Aiden Xia, Justice Talanoa, Moses Soukie, Harvey Chan, Marnie Chan, Olive Nguyen, Evelyn Ieong, Myf Choi and Kieran Chung.  Minji Huang -graded on 13-9-2023

8th Gup Yellow belt
Lucas Sekulski, Scarlet Nguyen, Jayant Ghartimagar(probational-pending step sparring), Loukit Ghale(probational-pending step sparring) and Amberly Gurung(probational-pending step sparring)

7th Gup Yellow belt Green-tip
Qihang Huang

4th Gup TaekwonKids Blue belt
Elizabeth Le graded on 13-9-2023

3rd Gup TaekwonKids Red-tip
Nicholas Marcos, Tsubasa Uno, Misaki Uno(probational-pending sparring), Rianne Chan(probational-pending sparring) Evelyn Huynh(probational -pending sparring)

3rd Gup Red-tip
Mariam Ibrahim and Duc Vo

2nd Gup Red belt
Chloe Tan and Zaynab Ibrahim

1st Gup TaekwonKids Black-tip
Nathanael Chan and Bianka Lee

1st Gup Black-tip
Ryan Lee, Brandon Kidner and Marcus Tsui
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What an achievement! Congratulations to Grace Wee for wining a Tul/Pattern silver medal in the Veteran 2nd Dan. You are the second best in the world in your division. Well done. You have done TTM,  Australia and your family proud.
It is not a surprise to achieve great result  in such a momentous championships. Grace has worked very hard on her pattern. She is hungry to win and trains in the dojang everytime she returns from working interstate without fail. Grace even trains in the hotel room when she is away for work. Her determinations along with video analysis of her pattern in preparation for the world championships produces excellent result.

Grace is sure to inspire to her dojangmates to follow her tenacity to train up for their goal...perhaps the next world championship.