Branch Instructor Chris Boles
Branch/Region
Muswellbrook Dojang / Upper Hunter Region
How long have you been training in Taekwondo? And what got you started?
I've been training for 8 years, and started after beginning a TAFE course with Chief Instructor Randall Jones. He asked me if I’d like to give it a go and was hooked straight away.
Highlights of your Taekwondo success?
- Gaining my 1st Dan Black Belt in 2004
- Gaining my 2nd Dan Black Belt in 2008
- Gaining my 3rd Dan Black Belt in 2011
- Training and sparring with IBO and IBF Middleweight world boxing champion Daniel Geale (UTKD seminars in 2008 and 2009)
- Winning the NAS NSW Open Black Belt Continuous Sparring Tournament Series in 2010
- Representing UTKD and NSW at NAS National Championships in 2009 and 2010
- Making 6 finals in a row between June 2010 and June 2011 NAS NSW Open Black Belt Continuous Sparring
- Meeting and training with martial arts legend Kyoshi Richard Norton (UTKD Sydney seminar 2011)
Describe your first black belt grading, and what it took to get you there?
I didn’t go into Taekwondo training to get my Blackbelt, in the beginning I remember thinking I needed skills I clearly didn’t have, and it would be fun and interesting to learn something new while getting fit. The longer I trained and the further down the path of Martial Arts I travelled I began to think that maybe I could achieve a Black belt, that with regular training and perseverance I could actually make it. With my level of agility and fitness in the beginning this had felt beyond me. Over the many months of training regularly, I improved and after almost 3 years I was ready for my grading. At this stage I thought to gain my 1st Dan was the pinnacle, the end of the journey and I just had to get through this grading. I don’t remember specifics of the grading, I did all my breaks and patterns easily, what I do recall was how tough the sparring was. I got a thorough working over. At least 8 very solid male adult Black belts 2 at a time upheld the standard of toughness that they themselves had to undergo on their own special day. I recall vividly sitting at the Black belt dinner that night nursing two forearms that were black and purple, wincing each time they rested on the table and pulling them back to my chest. It felt like an extremely long meal. Two nights later I was back at training with the realisation that this was the real beginning of what I was after.
How often do you train? In Taekwondo? Gym? etc
I train every day with a good mixture of body building/weight training, Taekwondo, BJJ and running. I have recently changed my focus from tournament sparring to pre-fight and ground fighting skills to supplement my stand up fighting to try and become more complete as a base of knowledge for students and instructors in the future.
Favourite Taekwondo move or moves?
- Double turning kick
- Inner crescent to spinning outer crescent
- Jumping front kick
What are your personal goals for the future?
I would like to work hard on my patterns for the next few years to really excel in the techniques and performance of them; inspire and assist others within the art to improve their level of performance and skill; study more to become an all-round specialist in at pre fight, stand up and ground fighting techniques; to become as fit and conditioned as my DNA allows.
What would you like to see more of or less of in United Taekwondo that could benefit members?
Definitely more adults experiencing Taekwondo, and more entrants to the NAS tournaments especially Black belts. Entering the NAS tournaments this year has taken my skills to another level. Competing against Australian and World champions regularly has given me the inspiration to compete with them at their level. I’ve trained harder and more often than ever this year. The standard of Martial Artists at these tournaments has to be seen to be believed. Very Inspirational. More Black belt seminars. Less students saying “I can’t”
Has Taekwondo benefited home life? If so in what way?
Yes, I am a better developed person as a whole because of Taekwondo. I also believe it will extend my life expectancy and the amount of healthy years I will enjoy, while also hopefully setting a good example for my kids.
Your favourite saying and what this means?
I have 2 quotes I like:
“The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when no else is watching.” Anson Dorrance – American soccer coach.
I think this means train hard for yourself, not your coach, your friend, or your family. Be honest with yourself when training and you will achieve everything you want.
“It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”
Tom Hanks – “A league of their own.”
What the Black belt journey means to me.
Best advice you can give someone training and wishing to start training in Taekwondo?
“Don’t be in a hurry, take in the basics and get them right first”.
“Regular training promotes the best results”
What other activities apart from Taekwondo do you enjoy?
Family, watching most sports, following the mighty “Bulldogs” NRL team.
Favourite movie(s) and why?
Braveheart – With Scottish heritage I can relate and very inspiring
Jaws – Classic
Karate Kid – this was where the seed was sown
Big Stan – Funny and martial arts
Favourite food?
Chinese and BBQ
With regards to Taekwondo where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
5 Years – 3rd Dan – Coaching Tournament team and assisting with development of instructors and students as all round martial artists
10 Years – 5th Dan – Living on the coast in Queensland, Chief Instructor of my own region.