Mr Michael Botsman, 5th Dan

Michael took up taekwondo when he was 14 after being inspired by the Bruce Lee phenomena.

Personal setbacks have not hindered Michael's quest for excellence in taekwondo. When he was 17 and an apprentice carpenter, he lost the sight in one eye as a result of a workplace accident and was told that he would never do taekwondo or carpentry again. Not only did he return to carpentry, he also learned to fight all over again and went on to win gold, silver and bronze medals in club and State competitions. In 1995, Michael also shattered his femur in a rock climbing accident. Again he was told that he would not be able to return to taekwondo but, after 14 months of rehabilitation, he returned to training where he rebuilt his strength and skills.

In 1981, Michael managed to attain his black belt and reached the level of 5th Dan in 2008. He has also endeavoured to build on his taekwondo skills by studying Shonan Aikido and Aikido Shudokan.

Michael has been working with Robert at Pace Taekwondo since 2000. Prior to this he was an assistant instructor with Grandmaster Young Youl Oh and has taught taekwondo to adults at CAE and trained Army Reservists. His teaching philosophy is to always be encouraging; acknowledging his students’ good work rather than focusing on negatives. He believes that taekwondo can give children self-confidence and show them that they can achieve great results through perseverance. Michael’s personal history is a testament to this belief.

Michael trains regularly, swims twice a week, and is working to attain a grading of 6th Dan. He is an accredited builder and holds a Diploma of Engineering.

Here are testimonials from a couple of our junior students and a wonderful drawing of Michael by Amy:

Amy (age 6)... "This is Michael, he is my taekwondo teacher and he is my hero becos he is on black belt and he incorigs you to get your move right and when you do it he congrachilats you"

Jaecob (age 11)... "Michael is one of the best instructors Michael is so nice .Michael makes sure that you go for your grading fully prepared and ready and Michael has a wealth of experience in Pace Taekwondo."