On top of the world

DAVID HALL

South Coast Taekwondo Centre’s Master Instructor Robert Cooley last week climbed to another level up the taekwondo ladder.

The Master Instructor Robert Cooley is now known as a 6th Dan after he was graded in Sydney by a high-ranking Australian Master.

Master Robert as he is known by his students, performed his grading test with two other high ranking blackbelts, who are also former national champions.

The candidates had to perform several patterns of pre-arranged movements that are set by the World Taekwondo Federation.

As well as sparring each other, they had to demonstrate all practical techniques required by the WTF examiner. Techniques included take-downs, street self-defence, wrist-locking actions and kicking drills.

“It was great standing there with my colleagues who are former national team coaches and players and grading with them, it was a satisfying, rewarding feeling.

“While many people have trained in some form of Martial Art, most are lucky to last a few months for maybe yellow or blue belt, very few make it to the level of a blackbelt and even fewer carry on after that,” Master Cooley said.

“I think if kids can commit to something like this and their parents show encouragement and support; knowing that children need the parents to help make the best decisions for them, it would be very rewarding indeed for the children’s future.” added Master Cooley.

SCTC is very proud of its large development of Blackbelt members and keeping them involved in learning the finer points of Taekwondo moving towards the mastery levels of the Art.

“Our blackbelts are well-rounded people and are normal every day people; however they can work in extreme pressure and circumstances.

“Of the 115 plus blackbelts I have developed, 17 have gone on to represent Australia with several of them winning Gold, Silver and Bronze International medals,” he said.

Now he’s next challenge is mastering a blackbelt in another style which should be finalised within the next few months. It is then six years until he is eligible for his next grading test for Taekwondo.

The martial arts school students will also be able to gain blackbelts in another style very soon to complement their blackbelts in Taekwondo.

Master Cooley a few years ago completed his Uni of Qld and AIS Post Grad Diploma in Sports Coaching, a first for a Taekwondo coach through the AIS program.

Master Rob’s first duty with his new powers was to posthumously grade former Australian athlete and school instructor Kim Dalton to her 5th Dan.

“Kim had a goal of being a female Master Instructor and unfortunately cancer was the only thing to stop her,” Master Cooley said.