The Australian Taekwondo Academy in WA was founded by Mr Sok Pong Kim in 1975. Sadly he passed away in April 1999, but not without leaving a legacy for his students to continue after him. This article, reproduced from an article written by Kim Seng in 1992 and titled "The West's Taekwondo Pioneer" as a tribute to him.
Mr Sok Pong Kim, 7th dan Chief Instructor, is the first Korean to start Taekwondo in Perth Western Australia. He opened the Kim Australian Taekwondo Academy in 1975 with the one single gym and the Academy has now grown to more than 50 branch clubs in most parts of the Perth Metropolitan and country areas of Western Australia.
The Academy teaches the basic elements of Taekwondo as being martial art first and foremost, then, self defence, Olympic sport, fitness (physical as well as mental) and the cultivation of discipline. Mr Kim believes in imparting his learnings and experiences in his 40 years in the art and sport of Taekwondo to all Academy members. There have been well over 10,000 members in WA who have learned Taekwondo through Mr Kim and the network of the Academy Instructors. Mr Kim has graded more than 600 black belts in WA since 1975. Seven of Mr Sok Pong Kim's students, six to 4th dan and one to 5th dan in the last 5 years. Mr Kim was promoted to 7th dan in 1981. (footnote: Mr Kim was 8th Dan kukkiwon at the time of his death).
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