MEET OUR COACHES

UNSW Taekwondo wouldn't be where it is today if it weren't for our hard-working coaches! These are the people who have led our club to success.

NooRi Chung (Headmaster)

The Ancient One, despite his young looks, NooRi has been coaching UNSW for over a decade and has seen generations come and go.

Combining his Double Masters in Biomedical Engineering and Physiotherapy with his extensive knowledge of Taekwondo, he ensures the training methods at UNSW Taekwondo are kept exceptionally high. This prehistoric specimen started off as an assistant coach in 2012 and became the head coach in 2013, leading UNSW Taekwondo to 1st place at the Australian University Games. He has since taught many of the current coaches and continues to act as the headmaster whilst providing mentoring when needed.

Belt level: 5th Dan Black Belt
Length of TKD practice: 18 years
Experience:

• 2020 Australian National Poomsae Team 
• 2019 AUSTKD Nationals Poomsae Individuals & Pairs Gold
• 2018 Nationals Division 1: Sparring u80kg Gold, Poomsae Pairs Gold
• 2018 KTAA Poomsae Pairs Gold
• 2016-2019 NSW State Championships: Poomsae Individuals (2017 & 2018), Pairs (2016, 2018 & 2019), Teams (2018) Gold
• 2014 Nationals Division 1 Sparring u58kg Gold

Fun fact: Starting off as a sparrer and initially against introducing competitive poomsae to UNSW Taekwondo team, he is now one of the top Poomsae Athletes in Australia. The doctor duo (Coaches Elena and NooRi) have rarely been beaten performing as a Pair. 

Zeu "Aaron" Sul (Poomsae Coach)

Aaron learnt to kick before he learnt to walk. He has long been dedicated to the practice of taekwondo, both as a coach and as a decorated athlete in the practice of poomsae. He is a valued and integral poomsae coach at UNSW Taekwondo. 

Belt Level: 4th Dan Black Belt
Length of TKD practice: 21 years
Experience:

• 2022 National Division 1: Sparring Gold, Poomsae Individuals Gold
• 2009-2016 NSW State Championships Poomsae Individuals Gold
• 2009-2015 AUSTKD Nationals Poomsae Individuals Gold
• 2015 Australian Taekwondo Open Poomsae Individuals Gold

Elena Zhao (Poomsae Coach)

In just 6 years of practising taekwondo, Elena rapidly advanced to become one of the top Poomsae players in Australia. She has since taken on the role as one of UNSW Taekwondo’s Poomsae Coaches. Although she entered the club as a Black Belt, it was only at UNSW where Elena developed a deep-rooted passion for the sport and an inner drive to excel. With a combination of her hard work and natural talent, Elena’s medal collection speaks for itself.

Belt level: 3rd Dan Black Belt
Length of TKD practice: 11 years
Experience:

• World Poomsae Championships (Hong Kong 2024)
• World Universiade (Italy 2019, China 2023)
• 2015-2023 Nationals Division 1 Poomsae Gold
• 2018, 2022 Nationals Division 1 Sparring Gold
• Too many Gold medals at Australian Nationals, States and University competitions.

Fun fact: Although Elena is our Poomsae Coach she has won 2 Golds in Sparring at the University Games. She also medalled at an Australian Nationals - with a broken foot.

Andy Pham (Head Coach)

Over his 18 years of experience training and competing in taekwondo, Andy has garnered experience and exceptional ability in both sparring and poomsae components of the sport. His many years spent coaching combined with his endless drive and pursuit of excellence have made him known to be a highly motivated, and highly motivating coach.

Belt Level: 4th Dan Black Belt
Length of TKD practice: 18 years
Experience:

• 2020, 2024 World Poomsae Championship Selections Poomsae Team Gold
• 2019 Australian Nationals Poomsae Individuals Gold
• 2019 World University Games Rep Poomsae Individuals
• 2018 Oceania Selections Poomsae Pairs Gold
• 2016, 2019 UTS Blues Awards

Ryan Lee (Sparring & Beginners)

A relentless work ethic and dedication to the sport has seen Coach Ryan not only advance to the forefront of Taekwondo within Australia but also step into the international competition scene. From his humble beginnings of doing the sport as a hobby to travelling overseas for competitions coach Ryan has experienced all that Taekwondo has to offer. 

His sessions will leave you sweating and smiling (possibly swearing), as he combines his knowledge of taekwondo and his degree of exercise physiology to create some of the toughest strength and conditioning sessions you’ve ever seen.

Belt Level: 3rd Dan Black 

Length of Practice: 11 years 

Experience: 

• 2023 World Universiade (China)
• 2023 Australian Open Bronze Medal
• Bronze and Silver Medals at AUSTKD Nationals 
• 2022-2024 Nationals Division 1: Sparring Gold
• Gold Medals at multiple state competitions

Nicholas Chan (Beginners Coach)

The newest addition to UNSWTKD’s coaching team, Nich Chan and his impressively mobile hips have been hand-selected by our headmaster to lead the newest batch of beginners. Though only starting Taekwondo two years ago, Nich has proven himself committed in training and a winner on the competition mats. His pursuit of perfection combined with an approachable demeanor will give anyone new to the sport a thorough and thoroughly enjoyable introduction.

Belt Level: Red Belt
Length of Practice: 2 years
Experience:

• 2023 University Opens: Sparring u68kg Silver, Poomsae Individuals & Pairs Gold
• 2023 Nationals Division 1: Sparring u68kg Gold, Poomsae Individuals & Pairs Gold
• 2024 Nationals Division 1: Sparring u68kg Gold, Poomsae Individuals & Pairs & Team Gold