Australian Taekwondo Talk - Meet the inspiring, fascinating and colourful characters from across the Australian Taekwondo Community in this personal, funny and moving interview series.

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If you have ambitions of competing at the highest level and you haven’t met Ali Khalil yet – you will.Because it is his job to help make it happen.He discovered martial arts as a schoolboy and went all the way to the Olympics.Now, he has taken on the role of National Performance Pathway Lead and the challenging task of clearing the way for the talented to triumph.Hear his plan and what it means for you.

If you have ambitions of competing at the highest level and you haven’t met Ali Khalil yet – you will.

Because it is his job to help make it happen.

He discovered martial arts as a schoolboy and went all the way to the Olympics.

Now, he has taken on the role of National Performance Pathway Lead and the challenging task of clearing the way for the talented to triumph.

Hear his plan and what it means for you.

Ali Khalil - National Performance Pathway Lead

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She is a three-time Olympian, a sporting pioneer and football royalty.Now, she&#39;s the new boss of Taekwondo - and it may be her toughest challenge yet.Heather Garriock says the bus is ready to roll and she wants you on board.Hear her answer the tough questions and paint her &#34;dream&#34; vision for Australian Taekwondo.

She is a three-time Olympian, a sporting pioneer and football royalty.

Now, she's the new boss of Taekwondo - and it may be her toughest challenge yet.

Heather Garriock says the bus is ready to roll and she wants you on board.

Hear her answer the tough questions and paint her "dream" vision for Australian Taekwondo.

Heather Garriock

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Whether it is traveling to a remote region to support a small club, coaching tomorrow’s stars or refereeing, this 9th dan master has – for more than 40 years - been an outstanding contributor to Taekwondo and the people across Australia who love it.He is Principal instructor at the University of South Australia Taekwondo club, a Technical Presenter; Referee Presenter; Coaching Presenter; International Referee and one of only three Martial Artists in Australia who is LEVEL 3 NCAS Accredited.He has some strong thoughts...

Whether it is traveling to a remote region to support a small club, coaching tomorrow’s stars or refereeing, this 9th dan master has – for more than 40 years - been an outstanding contributor to Taekwondo and the people across Australia who love it.

He is Principal instructor at the University of South Australia Taekwondo club, a Technical Presenter; Referee Presenter; Coaching Presenter; International Referee and one of only three Martial Artists in Australia who is LEVEL 3 NCAS Accredited.

He has some strong thoughts...

Adrian Hitch

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The Golden Gun.Twenty years ago, Sydney hosted the Olympic Games down under and Taekwondo was a medal sport for the very first time.In this series, we&#39;re meeting every fighter who wore the green and gold at that historic event, re-visiting that golden era for the sport in Australia and finding out what life is like two decades on.In Part 4: Lauren Burns.Precisely 20 years ago, when Juan Antonio Samaranch placed Australia’s first ever Taekwondo gold medal around her neck, Lauren Burns&#39; place in sporting folklore was immortalised.In the final episode of this special series, the wit and wisdom of third dan black belt, best-selling author, World Vision ambassador, motivational speaker, OAM, soon to be PhD and Olympic gold medalist Lauren Burns.

The Golden Gun.

Twenty years ago, Sydney hosted the Olympic Games down under and Taekwondo was a medal sport for the very first time.

In this series, we're meeting every fighter who wore the green and gold at that historic event, re-visiting that golden era for the sport in Australia and finding out what life is like two decades on.

In Part 4: Lauren Burns.

Precisely 20 years ago, when Juan Antonio Samaranch placed Australia’s first ever Taekwondo gold medal around her neck, Lauren Burns' place in sporting folklore was immortalised.

In the final episode of this special series, the wit and wisdom of third dan black belt, best-selling author, World Vision ambassador, motivational speaker, OAM, soon to be PhD and Olympic gold medalist Lauren Burns.

Sydney Olympic Commemoration Part 4 - Lauren Burns

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The Silver Bullet.Twenty years ago, Sydney hosted the Olympic Games down under and Taekwondo was a medal sport for the very first time.In this series, we will meet every fighter who wore the green and gold at that historic event, re-visit that golden era for the sport in Australia and find out what life is like two decades on.In Part 3: Daniel Trenton.Daniel won silver in the heavyweight (80 kg) class at Sydney 2000. Trenton comfortably accounted for his opponents in his three preliminary bouts but was defeated in the final by Kim Kyong-Hun of Korea. Daniel also represented at the 2004 Athens Games and was Australian head coach in Beijing in 2008.

The Silver Bullet.

Twenty years ago, Sydney hosted the Olympic Games down under and Taekwondo was a medal sport for the very first time.

In this series, we will meet every fighter who wore the green and gold at that historic event, re-visit that golden era for the sport in Australia and find out what life is like two decades on.

In Part 3: Daniel Trenton.

Daniel won silver in the heavyweight (80 kg) class at Sydney 2000. Trenton comfortably accounted for his opponents in his three preliminary bouts but was defeated in the final by Kim Kyong-Hun of Korea. Daniel also represented at the 2004 Athens Games and was Australian head coach in Beijing in 2008.




Sydney Olympic Commemoration Part 3 - Daniel Trenton

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The Reunion of the Sisterhood.Twenty years ago, Sydney hosted the Olympic Games down under and Taekwondo was a medal sport for the very first time.In this series, we will meet every fighter who wore the green and gold at that historic event, re-visit that golden era for the sport in Australia and find out what life is like two decades on.In Part 2:<ul><li>Lisa O’Keefe - who fought in the lightweight division at the Sydney Games,</li><li>Cynthia Moir, then known as Cynthia Cameron, who competed in the under 57 kilogram division and,</li><li>Tanya White, who contested the over 67 kilogram division.</li></ul>

The Reunion of the Sisterhood.

Twenty years ago, Sydney hosted the Olympic Games down under and Taekwondo was a medal sport for the very first time.

In this series, we will meet every fighter who wore the green and gold at that historic event, re-visit that golden era for the sport in Australia and find out what life is like two decades on.

In Part 2:

    Lisa O’Keefe - who fought in the lightweight division at the Sydney Games,
    Cynthia Moir, then known as Cynthia Cameron, who competed in the under 57 kilogram division and,
    Tanya White, who contested the over 67 kilogram division.

Sydney Olympic Commemoration Part 2 - Lisa O’Keefe, Cynthia Moir (nee Cameron) and Tanya White

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Boys to Men.Twenty years ago, Sydney hosted the Olympic Games down under and Taekwondo was a medal sport for the very first time.In this series, we will meet every fighter who wore the green and gold at that historic event, re-visit that golden era for the sport in Australia and find out what life is like two decades on.In Part 1, Warren Hansen, who featured in the under 80kilogram division and Carlo Massimino who competed in the Feather Weight under 68kg division.

Sydney Olympic Special Part 1

Twenty years ago, Sydney hosted the Olympic Games down under and Taekwondo was a medal sport for the very first time.

In this series, we will meet every fighter who wore the green and gold at that historic events, re-visit that golden era for the sport in Australia and find out what life is like two decades on.

In Part 1, Warren Hansen, who featured in the under 80kilogram division and Carlo Massimino who competed in the Feather Weight under 68kg division.

Sydney Olympic Commemoration Part 1 - Carlo Massimino and Warren Hansen

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Australian Taekwondo&#39;s Chief Executive Officer John Gradisar is responsible for driving the sport and martial art in Australia - from delivering on board directives, finance and governance, to overseeing Olympic pathways and high performance, growing participation among school kids, para-athletes and over 65s and a whole lot more.Hear him talk about the mistakes of the past, the pro-active strategies now in place and the vision for the future of Australian Taekwondo.

Australian taekwondo CEO

Australian Taekwondo's Chief Executive Officer John Gradisar is responsible for driving the sport and martial art in Australia - from delivering on board directives, finance and governance, to overseeing Olympic pathways and high performance, growing participation among school kids, para-athletes and over 65s and a whole lot more.

Hear him talk about the mistakes of the past, the pro-active strategies now in place and the vision for the future of Australian Taekwondo.

John Gradisar

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Could you survive? Kununurra is home to just 5,000 people And for 25 years, at the very heart of that community…has been Kununurra Taekwondo Club. How does a club survive, let alone thrive, in such a small community and what can we learn about how a martial art run out of the local leisure centre can connect across generations in a remote Australian township. Sue Riley is a Third Dan and longtime Lead Instructor at Kununurra.

Sue Riley

Could you survive?
Kununurra is home to just 5,000 people
And for 25 years, at the very heart of that community…has been Kununurra Taekwondo Club.
How does a club survive, let alone thrive, in such a small community and what can we learn about how a martial art run out of the local leisure centre can connect across generations in a remote Australian township.
Sue Riley is a Third Dan and longtime Lead Instructor at Kununurra.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2020/6/24/2/0e12923a-aaca-4816-93b6-8d8ac560a8cd_attkdt_ep_9_janine_edit_for_review.mp3

Janine Watson was told she&#39;d probably be dead by now. Instead, she is one of Australia’s great para-athletes and is re-writing para-Taekwondo history. This is her amazing tale in her own words…

Janine Watson

Janine Watson was told she'd probably be dead by now.
Instead, she is one of Australia’s great para-athletes and is re-writing para-Taekwondo history.
This is her amazing tale in her own words…

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Come inside the mind of a Taekwondo referee. What are they looking for? How do they make their decisions? National Referee Committee member Nikky White has seen the world as an official and is now shaping the future of refereeing. But she is also at the forefront of developing Taekwondo tech.  What is the role of technology in the future of a traditional martial art like Taekwondo?

Come inside the mind of a Taekwondo referee.

What are they looking for? How do they make their decisions?

National Referee Committee member Nikky White has seen the world as an official and is now shaping the future of refereeing.

But she is also at the forefront of developing Taekwondo tech. 

What is the role of technology in the future of a traditional martial art like Taekwondo?


Nikky White

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Can you last a lifetime in Taekwondo?If so, how?Joe Pavic used to be all about elite performance.The Tasmanian was a powerful middleweight in the 70s and 80s, winning state and Australian titles.Like many others, when advancing age meant elite competition was a thing of the past, he stepped up to become an elite International Master Instructor and 7th dan.But three years ago, in his late 50s, Joe shifted focus and his wisdom is worth hearing.

Joe Pavic

Can you last a lifetime in Taekwondo?
If so, how?

Joe Pavic used to be all about elite performance.

The Tasmanian was a powerful middleweight in the 70s and 80s, winning state and Australian titles.

Like many others, when advancing age meant elite competition was a thing of the past, he stepped up to become an elite International Master Instructor and 7th dan.

But three years ago, in his late 50s, Joe shifted focus and his wisdom is worth hearing.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2020/6/2/2/81f0e64c-1505-4f7e-92b7-231b9b811591_atkdt_ep_6_luke_edit_for_review.mp3

Have you ever stopped to consider what is going through your mind during a sparring session?Or when learning a new Taekwondo move?You are laser focused and very present on the mat and if you&#39;re not; you might soon wish you were.Dr Luke Del Vecchio is a Lecturer Practitioner in Sport and Exercise Science at the School of Health and Human Sciences at Southern Cross University. His expertise has been used in the formation of the Ageless Taekwondo program and he has been investigating mindfulness in combat sports and is involved a range of research into what martial arts do to – and for – the mind and body.

Dr Luke Del Vecchio

Have you ever stopped to consider what is going through your mind during a sparring session?

Or when learning a new Taekwondo move?

You are laser focused and very present on the mat and if you're not; you might soon wish you were.

Dr Luke Del Vecchio is a Lecturer Practitioner in Sport and Exercise Science at the School of Health and Human Sciences at Southern Cross University. 

His expertise has been used in the formation of the Ageless Taekwondo program and he has been investigating mindfulness in combat sports and is involved a range of research into what martial arts do to – and for – the mind and body.

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Tony Paganella quit a high-flying job in the city to become a Taekwondo instructor in regional Australia.His work with young people, indigenous communities and country kids has led to wisdom worth hearing as he prepares to celebrate a significant milestone.

Tony Paganella

Tony Paganella quit a high-flying job in the city to become a Taekwondo instructor in regional Australia.

His work with young people, indigenous communities and country kids has led to wisdom worth hearing as he prepares to celebrate a significant milestone.

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Like so many others, Paul Mitchell discovered martial arts when Bruce Lee captured his imagination.But he isn&#39;t leaving it up to the movies to inspire the next generation and has introduced thousands of young Australians to its benefits.Master Paul has had a remarkable life; publishing a book, being inducted into Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame and even being nominated for Australian of the Year.

Master Paul Mitchell

Like so many others, Paul Mitchell discovered martial arts when Bruce Lee captured his imagination.

But he isn't leaving it up to the movies to inspire the next generation and has introduced thousands of young Australians to its benefits.

Master Paul has had a remarkable life; publishing a book, being inducted into Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame and even being nominated for Australian of the Year.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2020/5/13/3/57c4940e-ba7c-4748-809a-334926fbe2b7_att_ep_3_kristy_hitchens.mp3

Kristy Hitchens is many things; a media and communications officer in local government, a blogger, an advocate, a Mum, a Taekwondo blackbelt, the Founder of the Pink Belt Project and a bundle of pure inspiration. At a stage of life when many people give up on sport and fitness – let alone take up something brand new – Kristy had her life transformed by Taekwondo – and has promptly set about paying that gift forward.

Kristy Hitchens

Kristy Hitchens is many things; a media and communications officer in local government, a blogger, an advocate, a Mum, a Taekwondo blackbelt, the Founder of the Pink Belt Project and a bundle of pure inspiration.

At a stage of life when many people give up on sport and fitness – let alone take up something brand new – Kristy had her life transformed by Taekwondo – and has promptly set about paying that gift forward.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2020/5/4/23/1122f627-d26b-4b19-8ba6-0b6f90bbea77_ep_2_reba_stewart.mp3

One of Australia&#39;s most exciting Taekwondo prospects talks about pressure, pride, power and persistence - even in the face of temptation.