Australian Taekwondo, in partnership with Australian Taekwondo South Australia, has delivered the first of a series of nationwide training sessions with National Performance Coach Dongmin Cha, a three-time Olympian and Olympic Gold medallist.    

Designed to assist and strengthen both state training programs and sections of the pathways programs, the sessions kicked off in grand fashion with over 100 attendees across the two days.  

Saturday 6^th of August involved an introductory session around basic technical foundations, with 65 participants of all belt levels. Participants were in awe of Dongmin’s demonstration as he executed skills with ease and finesse, while explaining the importance of mastering the basics, for all age groups and levels.

Sunday 7^th of August comprised sessions targeted to higher level participants, prioritising pathways type activities and training. Guiding a slightly smaller group allowed Dongmin to watch and critique athletes more effectively, correcting them on a more individual basis.  He gave all of them a small taste of what it’s like to train at the top level, whilst allowing them to flourish within the session.

Australian Taekwondo South Australia said they thoroughly enjoyed welcoming a Taekwondo legend to their state.

“We haven’t been able to hold a State Training since pre-covid, so to see all the clubs back together in such a positive and vibrant atmosphere was such a pleasure. From the joy in the faces of kids who have never been to such an event, to the more experienced athletes rising to the quality they were presented with, and expected to produce over the weekend, was outstanding,” Australian Taekwondo South Australia said.

“We even had really excited parents, some who even followed Dongmin Cha during his fighting career, super appreciative just to watch him present the sessions.

“We definitely hope to have him back on a more frequent basis to continue to inspire our next generation and lead them up to a bright future in their Taekwondo endeavours.”

Australian Taekwondo’s National Performance Director, Ross Hartnett, said he was pleased with the attendance and the immediate feedback that he was receiving.

Mr Hartnett also stated that the utilisation of Coach Cha around technical development and introductions to foundation work, was one of the keystone approaches being developed to assist state programs and strengthen the depth of technical acumen across both state and pathways programs.

Coach Cha is in Australia as part of the Kukkiwon Dispatch Masters program and has been integrated into Australian Taekwondo national performance development as part of our long-term development strategies toward the 3032 Brisbane Olympic Games. Australian Taekwondo was assisted in procuring Coach Cha by the Korean Embassy in Canberra and Ambassador Jeongsik Kang.

Coach Cha said he was pleased to contribute to the development of such a large group of South Australian athletes. He thanked Australian Taekwondo South Australia for their hospitality and the athletes for their enthusiasm toward his training sessions.

Coach Cha looks forward to visiting other states to inspire and assist athletes in their aspirations toward Taekwondo excellence and success.

Further training sessions with Coach Cha have been scheduled for Western Australia on the 27^th and 28^th of August, followed by sessions in New South Wales on the 10^th ofSeptember and Victoria on the 9^th of October. Plans and scheduling for these states will be finalised in due course as the program segment is rolled out across the country.