Roxburgh Park resident Russell Wood has taken home the prestigious award of Master of the Year in the Korean martial art, taekwondo.
The inaugural award is presented by peak industry body Martial Arts Australia, and recipients must be nominated to be considered for it.
Wood said the award was very difficult to win, and put his success down to the mental discipline it takes to train.
“It doesn’t matter what sport you play, you need mental discipline,” he said.
“I train six days a week and I am up at 5am to train in my area.”
At the age of 81 years, Wood has been performing martial arts for over half a century.
“Most guys my age can’t do much, they are chair bound,” Wood said.
“So far I am as fit as a bull.”
Wood started boxing when he was 16 and worked his way through a series of martial arts styles.
“I tried judo, then karate, then I found taekwondo,” he said.
“Taekwondo suited my likings and I stuck with it.”
While Wood officially retired at the age 65 after winning the Australian Masters in Canberra, he still competes and teaches out of his home studio.
Over his expansive career, he has accumulated a raft of awards including a Sports Medal from Queen Elizabeth II.
Wood said he plans to keep competing for as long as he can.
Millicent Spencer
