Australian Martial Arts Academy Featured on SBS World News
SBS reporter Youssef Saudie visited AMA to share the story of Master Hakan Manav’s recent induction into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame. With his father, Grandmaster Ridvan Manav, already inducted in 2015, they have become the first father-and-son duo to receive the honour.
But the story of AMA is about much more than awards.
Founded by Grandmaster Ridvan in 1982, Australian Martial Arts Academy has spent more than four decades helping generations of students build confidence, discipline, resilience and leadership through martial arts.
As the SBS story explores, the true legacy of AMA can be seen in the lives of the thousands of people and families who have been positively impacted through martial arts.
Watch the SBS World News feature below:
Master Hakan Manav Inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame
The Australian Martial Arts Academy (AMA) is celebrating a major milestone. Master Hakan Manav has been inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in New Jersey, USA.
Hakan received the honour in August 2026 in the Outstanding Instructor category. He now joins his father, Grandmaster Ridvan Manav, who was inducted in 2015 for Lifetime Achievement.
Together, Hakan and Ridvan are the first father-and-son duo to both be inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame.
For AMA, this achievement represents much more than two individual honours.
It reflects more than four decades of teaching, competition and dedication to martial arts. Most importantly, it represents the people and families who have been part of the AMA journey since 1982.
Grandmaster Ridvan Manav founded the Australian Martial Arts Academy in Marrickville in 1982.
His own martial arts journey began much earlier. Ridvan started training in Judo at the age of 10. He later took up boxing and developed a lifelong passion for martial arts.
At 13, Ridvan was inspired after watching his first Bruce Lee film. He went on to travel around the world and train with masters from different martial arts disciplines.
These experiences helped shape the philosophy behind AMA.
What began as one academy in Marrickville has grown into a network of martial arts schools across Sydney. Today, AMA has locations in Marrickville, Sydenham, Concord, Auburn and Sylvania, with more than 250 classes held each week.
Master Hakan Manav began his martial arts journey at a very young age.
At just six years old, he became the youngest person at the time to achieve a Black Belt. Since then, he has built a career spanning competition, performance and martial arts instruction.
Hakan is a 7th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, a three-time National Taekwondo Sparring Champion and a multiple-time World Martial Arts Champion. He was also a member of the Australian Taekwondo Team and travelled internationally representing Australia.
Today, Hakan is Head Instructor and Manager of Australian Martial Arts Academy.
While his career includes many achievements, teaching remains at the heart of his work. His 2026 Hall of Fame induction recognises his contribution as an instructor and his work helping students grow through martial arts.
“This is something I’m incredibly proud of, but what makes it especially meaningful is that it represents something much bigger than an individual achievement. My father started the academy in Marrickville in 1982 and dedicated his life to martial arts, our students and our family. I’ve had the privilege of learning from him since I was young, and now to be recognised in the same Hall of Fame as him is something I will always be proud of. For us, martial arts has always been about family, respect, discipline, hard work and helping the next generation become better people. That’s the legacy I hope we can continue.”
— Master Hakan Manav
Hakan’s induction follows his father’s Hall of Fame recognition in 2015.
Grandmaster Ridvan Manav received the Lifetime Achievement honour for his decades of contribution to martial arts, teaching and the development of practitioners and champions.
Ridvan holds a 9th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and a 9th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido.
During the 1980s, he competed successfully at state, national and international levels. This included winning gold at the World Martial Arts Games.
Ridvan also coached the Australian National Team at the World Taekwondo Championships. He has attended every Olympic Games as a VIP guest since the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Throughout his career, Ridvan has helped develop numerous state, national and international champions. His focus, however, has always extended beyond competition.
He built AMA around values such as confidence, discipline, character and personal development.
“When I received my Lifetime Achievement induction in 2015, I never imagined that one day I would see my son join me in the Hall of Fame. I am extremely proud of Hakan. I have watched him grow from a young student into a champion, instructor and leader, but most importantly into a person who understands the values behind martial arts.”
— Grandmaster Ridvan Manav
Hakan and Ridvan are not the only members of the Manav family involved with AMA.
Hakan’s sister, Busra Manav, is a 4th Dan Black Belt and instructor at Australian Martial Arts Academy.
Together, the family continues to teach and share its knowledge with the next generation of AMA students.
The academy was also recently recognised as the Global Top Single Martial Arts School in the World for the 16th time.
While awards are important milestones, AMA believes its greatest achievement is the thousands of students and families who have been part of the academy since 1982.
“Our academy has been fortunate to teach thousands of people over the years, and many of our students have gone on to achieve incredible things in martial arts and in life. That’s what makes this moment so special. We are celebrating an award, but we’re also celebrating the people, the families and the instructors who have been part of this journey for generations.”
— Master Hakan Manav
More than 40 years after Grandmaster Ridvan opened the doors of AMA in Marrickville, the academy continues to follow the values that have guided it since 1982: respect, discipline, confidence, hard work and family.
Master Hakan’s induction into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame is a major personal achievement. It is also an important milestone for Australian Martial Arts Academy.
The honour represents a legacy built over generations and carried forward through the thousands of students, instructors and families who have been part of the AMA journey.
AMA Awarded Top Single Martial Arts School Globally
Australian Martial Arts Academy has been recognised as the Top Single Martial Arts School Globally for the 16th time, receiving the prestigious honour at this year’s EFC Summit on the Central Coast.
The award further cements Australian Martial Arts Academy’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading martial arts schools, recognising more than four decades of excellence in martial arts instruction, leadership, student development, and community impact.
For more than 44 years, Australian Martial Arts Academy has helped thousands of children, teenagers, and adults develop confidence, respect, resilience, discipline, and self-defence skills through world-class martial arts training. With five locations across Sydney, the academy offers programs for students from three years of age through to adults, creating a supportive environment where families can train together while achieving their personal goals.
The EFC Summit brings together some of the most successful martial arts school owners and industry leaders from around Australia to share knowledge, develop leadership skills, and recognise excellence within the martial arts industry. During this year’s event, Australian Martial Arts Academy received multiple prestigious awards, highlighted by the title of Top Single Martial Arts School Globally.
Adding to the academy’s success, Head Instructors Master Hakan, Mr Mark, and Mrs Sarah were invited to present educational seminars at the summit. Their presentations focused on the leadership, teaching methods, student development systems, and operational excellence that have helped Australian Martial Arts Academy become one of the most respected martial arts organisations in Australia.
Grandmaster Ridvan Manav, founder of Australian Martial Arts Academy, said the award reflects the commitment of the entire AMA community.
“Being recognised as the Top Single Martial Arts School Globally is an incredible honour and something we are immensely proud of. However, our greatest achievement has never been the awards we receive—it has always been the positive difference we make in the lives of our students and their families. For over 44 years, our mission has been to help people become more confident, respectful, resilient, and successful through martial arts. This recognition belongs to every instructor, every team member, every student, and every family who has been part of our journey. Thank you for believing in our vision. We will continue striving to provide the highest quality martial arts education and make an even greater impact in our communities.”
– Grandmaster Ridvan Manav
Australian Martial Arts Academy extends its sincere thanks to every student, parent, instructor, and supporter who has contributed to this achievement. Their trust, dedication, and passion continue to inspire the academy to raise the standard of martial arts education across Sydney and beyond.
As Australian Martial Arts Academy looks to the future, its mission remains unchanged—to provide outstanding martial arts training that builds confidence, respect, resilience, leadership, and lifelong success for every student who walks through its doors.
About Australian Martial Arts Academy
Founded in 1982 by Grandmaster Ridvan Manav, Australian Martial Arts Academy is one of Australia’s most experienced and awarded martial arts schools. With five Sydney locations and more than 120 classes each week, the academy offers martial arts, taekwondo, self-defence, and leadership programs for children, teens, and adults. Australian Martial Arts Academy is committed to helping every student become healthier, stronger, more confident, and better prepared for success both on and off the mats.
Leadership Development Program Builds Confidence, Communication and Teamwork
Our latest Leadership Development Program (LDP) session was another fantastic opportunity for students to develop valuable leadership skills while strengthening friendships and having plenty of fun along the way.
The day began with an engaging team communication challenge that focused on one of the most important leadership skills of all — effective non-verbal communication. Students worked together to communicate, demonstrate techniques and guide one another without using words, encouraging them to become more aware of body language, observation and positive interaction.
The group then shifted their focus to creating the best possible experience for a brand-new student attending their very first introductory lesson. Participants explored how to make newcomers feel welcome, supported and confident from the moment they walk through the doors. By stepping into the role of mentor and leader, students learned how small actions, encouragement and positive energy can have a lasting impact on someone’s martial arts journey.
It was inspiring to see everyone challenge themselves, support one another and grow in confidence throughout the session. Leadership is about much more than giving instructions—it’s about setting a positive example, building trust and helping others succeed.
To finish the day, the team headed out for a rock climbing adventure. The activity provided the perfect opportunity to continue building teamwork in a completely different environment. Students encouraged each other through every climb, celebrated each achievement and embraced the challenge of learning something new together.
“Great leaders aren’t simply the loudest people in the room—they’re the ones who inspire confidence, communicate with purpose and bring out the best in others. Our Leadership Development Program is designed to help students develop those qualities both on and off the mats. Watching our students encourage each other, step outside their comfort zones and grow in confidence is incredibly rewarding.”
— Master Hakan Manav
Experiences like these are what our Leadership Development Program is all about. By combining practical leadership training with team-building activities, students develop communication skills, confidence, resilience and a genuine sense of community that extends well beyond the training mats.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated and brought such enthusiasm and positivity to the day. We look forward to seeing the continued growth of our future leaders at the next LDP session.
Australian Martial Arts Academy Proudly Supports Future Leaders Conference
Australian Martial Arts Academy was proud to sponsor the recent Future Leaders Conference hosted by Fort Street High School, an inspiring event that brought together passionate and motivated young people committed to developing their leadership potential.
The conference focused on building the qualities that define great leaders—resilience, character, communication and personal growth. These are values that Australian Martial Arts Academy has been teaching both on and off the mats for more than four decades, making the opportunity to support the event a natural fit.
Representing AMA, Mr Mark delivered an engaging presentation that shared his personal journey of overcoming chronic fatigue and the challenges it presented. Through his story, students gained valuable insight into the importance of perseverance, maintaining a positive mindset and continuing to move forward even when faced with significant obstacles.
His message encouraged students to recognise that leadership isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about how we respond to them. By remaining disciplined, resilient and focused on continual improvement, setbacks can become opportunities for growth.
“Leadership isn’t measured by how easy your journey has been, but by how you respond when life becomes difficult. Every challenge gives us the opportunity to grow stronger, build resilience and inspire others through our actions. If my story encourages even one young person to keep believing in themselves when times are tough, then sharing it has been worthwhile.”
— Mr Mark Loughnan, Australian Martial Arts Academy
The conference also featured inspiring presentations from Mack of Youth Leadership Academy Australia and Bella from Batyr, who challenged students to think deeply about leadership, purpose and the positive impact they can have within their schools and communities.
One of the highlights of the day was seeing students actively engage with the speakers, ask thoughtful questions and embrace opportunities to learn from the experiences shared. Their enthusiasm and willingness to grow reflected the bright future of the next generation of leaders.
Australian Martial Arts Academy extends its sincere thanks to Fort Street High School and everyone involved in organising such a meaningful event. We are honoured to have contributed to a conference that empowers young people to develop the confidence, resilience and leadership skills they will carry throughout their lives.
Bullying No Way Week: Giving Kids the Confidence and Skills to Stand Up for Themselves
As Bullying No Way Week takes place from 17–21 August, it is an important opportunity for parents, schools and communities to talk with children about bullying, personal safety and confidence.
At Australian Martial Arts Academy, these are skills we work on every week. Martial arts isn’t about teaching children to fight. It’s about helping them develop confidence, awareness, self-control and the ability to make good decisions under pressure.
AMA Head Instructor Mr Mark Laughran believes learning how to respond to bullying is an important part of a child’s safety education.
“In the same way that swimming lessons are essential for safety, so are the skills to deal with bullying.”
At AMA, students learn that their first response doesn’t need to be physical. They learn to use their voice, set boundaries, de-escalate situations, walk away when appropriate and seek help when they need it. Martial arts training can also help develop confidence, self-esteem and emotional regulation — skills that extend well beyond the dojo.
For AMA Head Instructor Miss Sarah, the importance of these skills is something she has experienced personally as a parent. Her daughter was regularly coming home from school after being hit by another child. Having trained in martial arts for many years, however, Sarah noticed that the experience wasn’t undermining her daughter’s confidence or personality.
“She was aware that this is something that does happen. It wasn’t really affecting her personality. So I was really grateful that I had put her in martial arts.”
Miss Sarah’s experience also highlighted how common bullying can be and how difficult it can be for teachers to prevent every incident, particularly when it happens outside adult supervision.
The goal of martial arts isn’t to encourage children to fight. It’s to give them more tools to deal with difficult situations — including the confidence to speak up, the awareness to recognise when something isn’t right, and the judgement to know when to walk away and ask for help.
Bullying No Way Week provides an opportunity to reinforce these lessons and remind children that being strong isn’t about being aggressive. It’s about being confident, respectful and prepared.
At AMA, we’re committed to helping children develop those qualities both inside and outside the dojo.
Term Two Belt Promotions Showcase Progression, Dedication and Community
Australian Martial Arts Academy has celebrated another successful belt promotion period, with record numbers of students progressing through the ranks across our five Sydney locations.
This winter’s grading season recognised the hard work, commitment and perseverance of students of all ages, from our youngest student, aged just 3 years old, through to our oldest successful candidate, aged 58. Every new belt earned represents weeks and months of dedication, consistent training and the courage to continually improve.
“Each new belt represents the journey and challenges students have overcome. It shows the commitment they have shown to becoming the best version of themselves. We are incredibly proud of every student who stepped onto the mats and gave their very best.”
– Grandmaster Ridvan Manav
The promotion period began with grading events at the Concord, Sylvania and Auburn academies, where a combined 149 students successfully earned their next belt.
Each grading tested students on the techniques, knowledge and skills they have developed throughout the term. More importantly, it showcased the confidence, discipline and resilience that are central to Australian Martial Arts Academy’s teaching philosophy.
According to Mr Mark, the standard displayed throughout the grading season was among the strongest the academy has seen.
“What impressed us most wasn’t just the technical ability of our students, but the confidence, focus and determination they displayed. The quality continues to improve every term, which is a credit to both our students and the families who support them.”
– Mr Mark Laughnan
A major highlight of the promotion period was the Black Belt Grading, an intensive full-day assessment. Conducted only once every six months, this prestigious grading challenges students physically and mentally as they demonstrate years of training and dedication in pursuit of martial arts excellence. On this occasion 96 Students embraced that challenge, and succeeded.
“Black Belt Grading is one of the most significant milestones in a martial artist’s journey. It is not about achieving perfection—it is about demonstrating resilience, character and the willingness to never give up. Every candidate who stepped onto the mats should be proud of what they achieved.”
– Grandmaster Ridvan Manav
The grading period concluded with three sessions at the Marrickville gym, where a further 208 students successfully progressed to their next belt.
Congratulations to every student who earned a new belt this term. Your hard work, commitment and perseverance continue to make Australian Martial Arts Academy a community that inspires excellence both on and off the mats.
We also extend our sincere thanks to our instructors, examiners, volunteers and families whose encouragement and support help make every grading event a memorable experience.
Celebrating Dedication: Miss Jess and Miss Kai Mark Milestone Years at AMA
Australian Martial Arts Academy is proud to celebrate two incredible milestones, with Miss Jess reaching 20 years and Miss Kai 15 years of dedication and service.
Both began their journeys as young members of the Little Dragons program and have grown into respected instructors within the academy. Their progression reflects not only years of consistent training, but also a deep commitment to personal growth, leadership, and the values of martial arts.
To honour their achievements, plaques were presented by Senior Instructors Master Hakan and Miss Sarah in recognition of their long-standing contributions to the AMA community.
Over the years, Miss Jess and Miss Kai have become central figures at the academy. Known for their positivity, professionalism, and genuine care for students, they are widely admired by both peers and families alike. Their ability to connect with students of all ages has made a lasting impact on countless members.
“It’s been incredible to see Jess and Kai develop from when they first started training as kids into confident, empowered women. Their dedication over the years has been outstanding, and they are fantastic role models for the next generation”.
– Master Hakan Manav
Their stories are a testament to the long-term benefits of martial arts training, not just in skill, but in character, confidence, and community. AMA congratulates Miss Jess and Miss Kai on their milestones and looks forward to many more years of their leadership and inspiration.