Branch Instructor Jesse Visser

Branch/Region

How long have you been training in Taekwondo? And what got you started?

I started Northern Taekwondo in 2007 along side of my father who gave me the idea to start. He said that he had tried taekwondo when he was younger and said he had fun and would enjoy learning it again. After training in taekwondo for some time it then became United Taekwondo as it is today.

Highlights of your Taekwondo success?

Achieving my 1st degree black belt was my greatest highlight as it made me feel as if all my training had paid off...along with sharing this with my father for if it wasn’t for him I would probably not have joined taekwondo.

And now being given the opportunity to be instructor in Gunnedah is a great feeling to be able to pass on the knowledge to students that I have learnt through my training.

Describe your first black belt grading, and what it took to get you there?

My black belt grading was nerve racking and exciting for this seemed to be the big moment you wait for. After training and talking about this day for some time it seemed like it would never come. The grading was a real test for stamina, technique and all round fitness. Even after taking a good punch to the face. I thrived on the thought of receiving my belt and joining the group of wiser and well respected people. And it taught me to keep my hands up too.

How often do you train? In Taekwondo? Gym? etc

I train two days a week in Gunnedah and one or two days in either Tamworth or Manila. At home I do a small workout and stretches throughout the morning and night.

Favourite Taekwondo move or moves?

My favorite taekwondo move would have to be a jumping back kick. I would have to say because it was tricky to learn and to get it right.

What are your goals in Taekwondo for 2011?

My goals this year are to take all of my new students to grading and have them all pass successfully. It would be a great honor to help them move forward to their goal of becoming a black belt one day.

What would you like to see more of or less of in United Taekwondo that could benefit members?

I would like to see more competitions for the lower belts and to have trophy’s or medals to hand out. I think this would motivate them to do better and to try harder as they would have something else to look forward to.

Has Taekwondo benefited home life? If so in what way?

I believe that it has in the way that I shared the black belt grading experience with my father and spent a lot of time with him during the journey towards it… since the time of the grading I have shared some really amazing moments alongside him with teaching students and helping younger children even helping less fortunate students with disabilities. also it has brought me closer with my two older brothers as we have always tried to help each other through patterns and things that could help us improve in the art.

Your favourite saying and what this means?

A great friendship is like wetting your pants…. Everyone can see it but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.

Even though this is a comical saying it means to me that close friendships are rare and that people who have these friendships should cherish them for the fact that not everyone has a friends with someone as close.

Best advice you can give someone training and wishing to start training in Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is fun and rewarding. It teaches you self-defense and self-control. You will meet new people and make new friends. It’s good for fitness and takes the chore out of doing fitness. There is always something more you can look forward to in doing taekwondo to whether it is a belt, a new type of move or even teaching 1 day.

What other activities apart from Taekwondo do you enjoy?

I really like singing and playing music on weekends it has been a lot of fun. I also enjoy fishing and hunting whenever I get a chance, and just spending time with people I’m close to and hanging out.

Favourite movie(s) and why?

I really love comedy movies but who doesn’t, one of my favourite movies would have to be. Unleashed starring Jet Li. There are a lot of amazing scenes of mixed martial arts and some really amazing combinations.

Favourite food?

I would have to say I really enjoy a good steak , but I am always keen to try new foods.

With regards to Taekwondo where do you see yourself in 5 years?, 10 years?

I would like to receive my 2nd degree black belt and to improve more in the art as much as I can… also to continue instructing students as they begin a great journey that could help them in the future either with confrontations or just to help them be a better person to others and themselves.

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