Tasmanian taekwondo black belt Hugh Eagling on cloud nine after final South Korean test

It has taken a lifetime of dedicated training, patience, and giving back to his sport, but Tasmanian man Hugh Eagling is finally on top of the taekwondo world.

Taekwondo experts Hugh and Angela Eagling. Picture: Caroline Tan

It has taken a lifetime of dedicated training, patience, and giving back to his sport, but Tasmanian man Hugh Eagling is finally on top of the taekwondo world.

More than 50 years after he first entered the dojang at his father’s pioneering taekwondo school in Hobart, Mr Eagling has been awarded a rare 9th dan black belt in the Korean martial art.

Hugh Eagling, taekwondo at Old Beach residence. Picture: Caroline Tan

Mr Eagling recently received the good news after travelling to Asia to complete his practical exam earlier this year, where adjudicators also took into account his written thesis, and a decades-long contribution to taekwondo.

“The 9th dan black belt is the highest type level you can achieve while you’re still alive,” Mr Ealing said.

“A 10th dan can be awarded posthumously, but hopefully that won’t happen for a good while!

“I went over to Korea in April and completed the exam, and headed back a couple of weeks ago to attend the presentation ceremony and finalise the qualification.

“At 57, I am the youngest Westerner qualified at this level in the country, probably one of the top five qualified people in Australia.”

Dale Eagling Taekwondo at Moonah Community Centre, Hugh Eagling passes on his knowledge to the children in 2005.

As well as running his family’s martial arts schools in Tasmania, Mr Eagling worked for Australian Taekwondo for 25 years from the mid-1990s, and is currently chairman of the board.

Mr Eagling said his passion for the sport had not wavered since his teenage years, and encouraged others to experience the ancient art form’s physical and mental benefits.

“I started when I was five, but absolutely fell in love with the art around 15,” he said.

“That is when I knew then that I wanted to do it for my entire life.

After 42 years of training Hugh Eagling has been granted the status of Taekwondo Grand Master in 2015. Picture: Richard Jupe

“I started my first club under my dad in when I was 18, and took over the entire club structure when dad passed away in 1994.

“Overall, Taekwondo just makes people better.

“It provides good values, integrity, and has given the thousands of kids who have come to our classes over the years confidence to carry into their lives.”