Australian Taekwondo had their Annual General Meeting on the 2nd of October 2026, held at Exhibition Park in Canberra. With current Australian Taekwondo President Jean Kfoury OAM serving his maximum of three consecutive terms, the position was vacant for a new leader to step into place. Former Australian Taekwondo President Hassan Iskandar OAM (president between 2017-2022) answered the call, and now takes the reigns to drive AT into a new beginning. The more Elected Director board positions were also up for nomination. Current members Harry Saltis and Melhim Badreddine re-join the AT Board for another term after being successfully re-elected. Hear from all three of the new elects below:

Dear members of the Australian Taekwondo community,

It is with great pride and genuine excitement that I return as President of Australian Taekwondo. This sport has been a central part of my life for many years, and the opportunity to serve our community again is one I do not take lightly. I am grateful for the trust that has been placed in me, and I look forward to working alongside all of you in the years ahead.

Before I speak about the future, I want to acknowledge the man who has been apart of our organisation for nearly a decade, Jean Kfoury OAM. Jean has given an enormous amount of his time, energy and heart to Australian Taekwondo. Under his leadership, our sport has grown stronger, our community has become more connected, and our athletes have had more opportunities to compete and succeed both here and overseas. Leading a national sporting organisation is demanding work, much of it done quietly and behind the scenes, and Jean has carried that responsibility with dedication and integrity. On behalf of the entire taekwondo community, thank you, Jean. You leave the organisation in a strong position, and I am proud to build on the foundation you have laid.

Looking ahead, my focus is simple: to continue growing and developing taekwondo across Australia. I want to see more people of all ages and backgrounds discover our sport, whether they step onto the mat for fitness, self-defence, competition or simply for the sense of belonging that a good club provides. Taekwondo teaches discipline, respect and resilience, and those values have something to offer every community in this country.

To achieve this, we will keep supporting the clubs, instructors and volunteers who form the backbone of our sport. They are the people who open their doors every week, welcome new students and nurture the next generation of athletes and leaders. We will also continue to invest in pathways for our athletes, from grassroots participation through to the national and international stage, so that talented Australians have every chance to reach their potential.

Equally important is the development of our coaches and referees. A sport can only grow as fast as the people who teach and officiate it, and I am committed to providing the education and support they need to do their best work.

None of this is possible without you. Our members, parents, coaches, referees, officials, volunteers and partners are what make Australian Taekwondo the community it is. I encourage you to stay involved, share your ideas, and help us bring more people into the sport we all love. My door is always open, and I genuinely want to hear from you about how we can keep improving.

I am excited about what we can achieve together. There is real momentum in Australian taekwondo, and with the support of our community, I believe the years ahead will be some of the most rewarding in our history.

Thank you for your continued passion and commitment. I look forward to seeing many of you on the mat, at events and around our clubs soon.

Yours in taekwondo,

Hassan Iskandar OAM
President, Australian Taekwondo

Serving on the Board comes with a significant responsibility. Over the past few years, we have worked hard to strengthen governance, improve our systems and processes, support athletes and clubs, and continue building a stronger and more sustainable future for Taekwondo in Australia.

There is still plenty of work to do, and I’m looking forward to continuing that work alongside my fellow Directors, our staff, coaches, athletes, officials, volunteers and the broader Taekwondo community.

Harry Saltis
Elected Director, Australian Taekwondo

I’m truly grateful and honoured to be re-elected to the Australian Taekwondo National Board. Thank you all for your support and trust. I look forward to continuing our journey together and helping Taekwondo grow stronger across Australia.

Mel Badreddine
Elected Director, Australian Taekwondo