About Jun Tong

What is Taekwon-Do?

Taekwon-Do is a martial art that originated from Korea. Taekwon-Do is characterized by its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. Modern Taekwon-Doo differs greatly from other martial arts. In fact, no other martial art is so advanced with regard to the sophistication and effectiveness of its technique or the over-all physical fitness it imparts to its practitioners.

So what does Taekwon-Do mean? Taekwon-Do is composed of three parts as shown in the English spelling, though it is one word in Korean. “Tae” means “foot,” “leg,” or “to step on”; “Kwon” means “fist,” or “fight”; and “Do” means the “way” or “discipline.” If we put these three parts together, we can see two important concepts behind “Taekwon-Do”.

Taekwon-Do is the right way of using Tae and Kwon “fists and feet,” or all the parts of the body that are represented by fists and feet. Second, it is a way to control or calm down fights and keep the peace. This concept comes from the meaning of Tae Kwon ‘to put fists under control’ [or “to step on fists”]. Thus Taekwon-Do means “the right way of using all parts of the body to stop fights and help to build a better and more peaceful world.”

Taekwon-Do is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional martial arts, that teaches more than physical fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and life through training our body and mind.

Our History

My name is George Gabrielides. I’m an International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Certified Instructor, Examiner and Master Instructor at Jung Tong International Taekwon-Do. This is the condensed story of my TaeKwon-Do life.

In 1983 I joined the RHEE ITF TKD school at Wentworthville. My Instructor Larry Fuller and Master Rhee guided me until 2001, when I decided it was time to associate myself with the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF).

The name “Jun Tong” meaning “Traditional” was selected by the senior Black Belts at the time. In 2002, Jun Tong TKD become a member of the Australian International Taekwon-Do Federation (AITF) in 2003, we decided to also become members of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) organisation.

OUR MEMBERS competed in a couple of local tournaments with great success. Continuing to learn about the ITF principles of ‘sine wave’ and ‘theory of power’, Jun Tong progressed into attending the national championships. Our small relatively small school had even greater success when sisters Grace and Isobel Spur won their individual divisions in sparring and patterns.

They joined the Australian team at the Junior ITF World Championships at Rimini, Italy in 2004 and scored medals in their team events. I had the pleasure of managing the Australian contenders and was part of the coaching team.

In 2006, Jun Tong expanded in West Pennant Hills and North Ryde.

Grace, Isobel and Fouad Faddoul represented our club in the Australian team at the 2007 Junior and Senior ITF World Championships in Quebec City, Canada. Once again, I had the pleasure of managing the Australian contenders and was part of the coaching team.

In 2009, at the Junior and Senior ITF World Championships in Buenos Ares, Argentina, Samantha Faddoul and Ashley Thornton represented Jun Tong School in the Australian team.

In 2011, we enjoyed further success at the Junior and Senior ITF World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, when Michael McPherson reached the semi-final in the Male Hyper Weight Sparring Division, as did Ashley Thornton in the 1^st Dan Pattern Division, while Samantha Faddoul achieved a “Bronze Medal” in the Junior Female Lightweight Division. To put our club’s achievement into perspective, Samantha is the first female in 10 years to win a medal for Australia! I was incredibly proud to be part of the coaching team.

In 2013, Samantha Faddoul and Gillian Thornton represented Jun Tong in the Australian team for the Junior and Senior ITF World Championships in Benidorm, Spain.  Once more, I had the privilege of being part of the Australian coaching team.

Gillian and Ashley Thornton attended the 2015 Junior and Senior ITF World Championships in Jesolo, Italy.

Jun Tong TKD has achieved ambitious goals by achieving fantastic results in local, regional, state, national and international championships.

Our Championships success aside, we are proud of our members personal life achievements. Our teaching methods “Listen with your Eyes” “Respect your Teachers” “Anyone who is speaking to you is a teacher” including our ITF TKD Tenets/Oath are assisting our members to improve in their studies. All our young Black Belt members are currently attending university, while the older ones return to study and achieve a higher-education diploma or have started their own businesses. Such is the impact of Jun Tong TKD teaching on the lives of our members.

At Jun Tong ITF TKD, “Positive Progress” is a big part of our life lessons.