Meet Our Instructors
Strong minds. Strong bodies. Guided by experienced, caring and community focused instructors.
Co Founder and Head Instructor
Master Michael Nguyen (7th Dan)
Locations: North Melbourne and Fairfield
Languages: English and Vietnamese
Master Michael Nguyen began Taekwon Do in 1994 at age ten and brings more than thirty one years of structured, family focused teaching experience. He is a multiple national champion and international medalist with achievements that include Bronze at the 2024 ITF World Cup in Argentina in Special Techniques, Gold at the CHITF World Championships in Senior Male 6th Dan Patterns and Bronze in Team Power at the 2011 ITF World Championships in New Zealand. His competitive record also includes numerous national titles from 2006 to 2019 and a triple gold performance at the 2025 CHITF Australian Championships.
As an International Instructor and Examiner, Michael teaches with a strong foundation in safety, discipline and clear progression. He has worked as a Neurological Physiotherapist for nineteen years which strengthens his focus on movement quality and injury prevention.
Michael welcomes families, parents and beginners with an open door approach. His teaching philosophy is simple. Build strong minds. Build strong bodies. Keep children and adults safe. Grow a resilient and connected community grounded in the Tenets of Taekwon Do.
Co Founder and Instructor
Mr Tony Nguyen (6th Dan)
Location: North Melbourne
Languages: English and Vietnamese
Tony Nguyen has trained since age six and brings lifelong Taekwon Do experience combined with a calm and disciplined teaching style. He is a multiple national champion with international results that include Bronze at the 2013 ITF World Championships in Spain in 4th to 6th Dan Patterns and Bronze in Team Power at the 2011 World Championships in New Zealand. He also earned podium results at the 2025 CHITF Australian Championships in Patterns, Power and Team Sparring.
Tony is a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with fifteen years of clinical experience. His classes focus on safe progressions, practical movement and strong fundamentals. Families often describe Tony as steady, approachable and committed to helping every student feel confident and capable.
International Instructor
Mrs Adriana Podobas (4th Dan)
Location: Delahey
Languages: English and Spanish
Originally from Colombia and a proud mother of two Taekwon Do students, Adriana teaches with a warm and family first approach. She has earned national medals in Patterns and Sparring and has extensive teaching experience from co owning a school in Colombia.
Adriana creates a friendly and supportive training environment for both children and adults. She focuses on confidence, clarity and steady skill development along with practical self defence. Her classes reflect our shared philosophy of strong minds, strong bodies and a community that supports one another.
International Instructor
Ms Larita Bouphasavanh (4th Dan)
Location: North Melbourne
Languages: English and Thai
Larita Bouphasavanh has trained for more than eighteen years and earned her 4th Dan in 2025 following an inspiring return to competition at the 2024 ITF World Cup in Argentina. Her journey includes overcoming mental blocks, rebuilding confidence and losing more than twenty five kilograms through structured training.
She has earned national titles in Patterns and Special Techniques along with international training experience and ongoing professional development through IIC courses.
Larita teaches with a calm and encouraging style. She focuses on steady progress, technical precision and confidence that grows through small but consistent wins. Students describe her as patient, uplifting and deeply supportive.
Instructor
Mrs Petronilla Mazai (3rd Dan)
Location: Clyde North
Languages: English and Shona
Originally from New Zealand and now settled in Australia, Petronilla leads the Clyde North branch with her family. She is a national and international medalist and earned World Cup gold in Veterans 2nd Dan Patterns in Argentina in 2024 along with multiple state and national titles.
With a professional background in social work, Petronilla brings an inclusive and trauma informed approach to teaching. She places strong focus on confidence, self protection skills and safe training for women and families. Her dojang is warm, structured and welcoming for every student.
Instructor
Mr Paul Mazai (3rd Dan)
Location: Clyde North
Languages: English and Shona
Paul teaches alongside his wife and daughter at Clyde North. After recovering from a significant back injury, he rebuilt his strength through disciplined training which shapes his patient and safety first coaching style.
He is a national medalist including Gold at the 2025 CHITF Australian Championships in Veterans 2nd Dan Patterns and multiple state and open silver medals. Paul works in IT at Fujitsu and brings a structured and analytical approach to training. He is passionate about how Taekwon Do improves focus, memory, resilience and decision making.
Instructor
Ms Natalie Jewell (2nd Dan)
Location: Fairfield
Languages: English
Natalie Jewell is a lifelong practitioner, a former international medalist and a multiple national champion in Patterns, Sparring and Special Techniques. She has returned to teaching as her daughter begins training and brings strong experience in coaching children and young students.
Natalie previously taught at North Melbourne before becoming co owner of Northside Movement where she developed deep knowledge of functional movement and safe progressions. Her classes are friendly, inclusive and focused on building practical skills and long term confidence.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Join a safe and welcoming Taekwon Do community
Train with instructors who support your progress, your confidence and your wellbeing. Whether you are starting fresh or returning to training, our team will guide you with patience and clear direction. We welcome all ages and experience levels.