Martial Arts Academy a force to be reckoned with

Laura Sullivan, Inner West Courier Inner City
June 14, 2018 11:59am

KI MARTIAL Arts Academy is a strong force to reckoned with in the competition circuit, says the Fifth Dan black belt and club owner Alfio Viscuso.
Mr Viscuso is busy preparing his students for the ITF taekwondo World Cup, which will take place in September at Sydney Olympic Park. It is the first time the tournament will be held in Australia, and is expected to attract over 2000 competitions from 65 countries.
Mr Viscuso said his dedicated students are looking forward to competing against other young people from other parts of the world, including Ukraine, Spain and Argentina.

Mr Viscuso who has two clubs, one in Ashfield and the other in Concord West will have eleven of his students participating in the world competition.

“Our club is very strong in the competition circuit,” Mr Viscuso said.

“The training is intense, they train with me four to five times a week.

“I also develop training plans which they work on at home, so really it’s six days a week training schedule.

“I’m really hard core with the sessions, you have to be committed big time, you can’t just go in with 50 per cent,” he said.

Mr Viscuso, who has dedicated his whole life to martial arts since he was four-years-old himself, said he ensures his students promise to being committed from the very start of training.

“They learn how to make sacrifices, it’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives, irrespective of the result,” he said.

“Martial arts is about goal setting and achieving and there is nothing like preparing for an international competition.

“Our students love the thrill of competing, and it also gives them a massive sense of achievement.”

Mr Viscuso said he is looking forward to seeing his students take home some winning medals.

The students, aged from 12 to 19 will compete in five different categories including sparring, power breaking of boards, special technique which involves high flying kicks, patterns as well as pre-arranged sparring which involves a choreographed sequence of traditional movements and acrobatics.

The event will run from September 25 to 30.

You can find out more information at Ki Martial Arts Academy.