Junior Sports Star Service to Sport nominee Peter Vassily guides youngsters in martial arts

WHEN Peter Vassily was eight, he started martial arts to emulate Bruce Lee. Today, he says 70 per cent of kids who come to learn the sport do so because they’re being bullied.

Service to Sport nominee Peter Vassily at Prodigy Martial Arts in Seven Hills. Pictures: Justin Sanson

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AS AN eight-year-old Peter Vassily got into martial arts to emulate Bruce Lee. Now the 35-year-old gets more of a kick seeing children excel in the sport.

The Dean Park resident, who founded Prodigy Martial Arts at Seven Hills last year, relishes the challenge of instilling confidence in youngsters.

“Seventy per cent of the kids who come through the door do so because of bullying,’’ he said. “I like seeing kids grow from young, shy kids, to achieving their goals.’’

Peter Vassily loves guiding your martial arts students.

Vassily, who retired from the national team this year, has taught martial arts for a decade.

“I’m trying to give something to young people,’’ he said.

“It’s given me direction in life when I had no direction.

“It helped me physically and mentally. I want to teach kids in a society today, where (they need) positive role models.’’

As well as seeing students’ self esteem grow, he has helped them compete on the world

Vassily has steered 14-year-olds Benjamin Camua and Dylan Sicat, as well as 12-year-old Chloe Borg, to compete at the international level in taekwondo.

“For some, martial arts is like a job. For me, it’s a passion,” Vassily said.

“When I started I wanted to be like Bruce Lee but as I got older I understood more about the martial arts was always there and the great thing about martial arts is you could be homeless or broke but no one can take away your martial arts.

Peter Vassily wants to give back to martial arts.

“It’s the consistency of martial arts. With martial arts, no matter how good you are, there’s always so much to learn. There’s always something new.

“It’s given me so much in my life and who I am.’’

Vassily has brought a wealth of experience to his mentor role — he has competed in more than 200 competitions in taekwondo, Muay Thai kickboxing, karate and Brazilian jiu jitsu at a national and international level.

He was on standby to compete in the Beijing and Athens Olympics, falling short of competing at the Games.

He claimed gold at the International Sports Karate Association’s World Cup Grand Championships in 2008, 2011 and 2014.

Last year, he bagged gold at the Australian National Team Trials, a prelude to represent Australia again at the taekwondo World Championships in Russia, where he placed fourth.

Vassily has been nominated for a Junior Sports Star Service to Sport award, sponsored by Rebel. Nominate at juniorsportsstart.com.au