PRINCIPAL INSTRUCTOR
Master Robert Pace, 8th Dan

Robert Pace began his taekwondo training in 1975 because like a lot of people at that time he was swept along by the Bruce Lee phenomenon. Back then, martial arts clubs were few and far between and venues were packed to the rafters. After having done a year of traditional Goju Ryu karate he jumped at the opportunity to try something different when he heard that Grandmaster Young Youl Oh had opened a club only a short bus trip from Robert's home. The more advanced kicking techniques and flowing sparring methods greatly appealed to him and he has not looked back ever since, even after short forays into Wing Chun and Shoalin Kung Fu. 

Robert attained his Taekwondo black belt in 1978. In 1991 and 1994 he had two periods of training in Korea to get experience with the best fighters in the world. 

Robert is a former Australian National and Victorian State Bantamweight Taekwondo Champion. He also proudly represented Australia at the 1993 World Championships in New York and in 1994 at the IOC Centenary - Seoul International Taekwondo Championships in Korea. 

In more recent times Robert has focussed on Taekwondo Poomsae and in 2016 achieved a Bronze Medal at the  2016 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Peru.  He has been two times Australian National and Australian Open Champion and has also represented Australia attaining two Gold Medals at the 2014 Oceania Taekwondo Championships, a Silver Medal at the 2016 European President's Cup, two Bronze Medals at the 2013 US Open and at the 2012 World Hanmadang in South Korea. Robert also placed 5th at the 2014 and 2022 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Mexico and South Korea, respectively.

When not training and running PACE Taekwondo, Robert is an Engineering Consultant holding a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters Degree in Engineering Science.

Robert was graded to 7th Dan in December 2013 by Grandmaster Young Youl Oh, 9th Dan, and in 2024, Robert travelled to Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul, where he successfully graded to 8th Dan earning the title of Grandmaster.

SENIOR INSTRUCTOR
Master Michael Botsman, 6th Dan

Michael also took up taekwondo when he was 14 after being inspired by the Bruce Lee phenomena.

Michael has been at Pace Taekwondo since 2000. Prior to this he was an assistant instructor with Grandmaster Young Youl Oh and has taught Taekwondo to adults at CAE and trained Army Reservists. His teaching philosophy is to always be encouraging; acknowledging his students’ good work rather than focusing on negatives. He believes that Taekwondo can give children self-confidence and show them that they can achieve great results through perseverance. 

Personal setbacks have not hindered Michael's quest for excellence in taekwondo. When he was 17 and an apprentice carpenter, he lost the sight in one eye as a result of a workplace accident and was told that he would never do Taekwondo or carpentry again. Not only did he return to carpentry, he also learned to fight all over again and went on to win gold, silver and bronze medals in club and State competitions. In 1995, Michael also shattered his femur in a rock climbing accident. Again he was told that he would not be able to return to taekwondo but, after 14 months of rehabilitation, he returned to training where he rebuilt his strength and skills.

Michael has also endeavoured to build on his Taekwondo skills by studying Shonan Aikido and Aikido Shudokan.  He is an accredited builder and holds a Diploma of Engineering.

Michael was graded to 6th Dan in July 2013 by Grandmaster Young Youl Oh, 9th Dan.

Here are testimonials from a couple of our junior students and a wonderful drawing of Michael by Amy:

  • Amy (age 6)... "This is Michael, he is my taekwondo teacher and he is my hero becos he is on black belt and he incorigs you to get your move right and when you do it he congrachilats you" (View Image...)
  • Jaecob (age 11)... "Michael is one of the best instructors Michael is so nice .Michael makes sure that you go for your grading fully prepared and ready and Michael has a wealth of experience in Pace Taekwondo."

SENIOR INSTRUCTOR
Mr Verino Malandra, 4th Dan

Verino first became drawn to Taekwondo as a youngster in 1975 when his bones were elastic and his moves were nimble and quick. Rain, hail or shine he would walk or run miles to get to classes and as a result he became extremely fit.

After some years away from Taekwondo, he returned in 1996 having been inspired by his two children who at the time were barely school age. To encourage his children, Verino went back to basics and started as a white belt with them. He loved nothing more than training with his children.

Throughout the years, he diversified his knowledge by also training in Kenpo Karate. He regularly attends gym sessions to improve physical fitness and strength. Verino is passionate about Taekwondo and he has always taken his gradings and achievements seriously. He is now Black Belt 4th Dan and is proud to be a member of the team at Pace Taekwondo. He thoroughly enjoys coaching, teaching and supporting students of all ages to strive to achieve their personal best.

INSTRUCTOR
Mr David Willshire, 3rd  Dan

David first began training in taekwondo in 1978 with Mr Jack Rozinszky at the Melbourne Taekwondo Centre and continued this until 1981 when he went overseas to work. He trained intermittently over the next few years and then joined PACE Taekwondo in 2005 and obtained his first dan black belt the following year. David is a clinical and forensic psychologist and works in a forensic mental health setting. He also enjoys recreational cycling and bicycle touring.

GUEST INSTRUCTOR
Ms Linda Pace, 6th Dan

Linda is the Principal and Founder of White Studio Taekwondo in Brighton, Victoria.  Linda occasionally assists with classes at PACE Taekwondo.

Linda is the current World Taekwondo Oceania Poomsae Director and Para-Poomsae committee Chair.

Linda is an international Taekwondo Poomsae athlete and referee.  She has been Australian National champion on numerous occasions and won the Australian Open Championships twice. She has also represented Australia attaining Gold Medals at the 2014 Oceania Taekwondo Championships, 2011 Commonwealth Games in Chennai and 2009 Belgian Open.  She also achieved Bronze Medals at the 2010 and 2013 Korean Open Championships, as well as at the 2013 US Open Championships.  Linda also competed at the 2010 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Uzbekistan.  

In 2014, at the 9th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Mexico, Linda placed 2nd in her division achieving a Silver Medal.  She is currently one of the few Australian Poomsae athletes to have reached this level at a World Poomsae Championship.

As an International Class Referee, Linda officiated at the 2016 and 2018 World Poomsae Championships in Peru and Taiwan, respectively, and the 1st European President's Cup in 2016. In 2014, she officiated at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland achieving the award of "Best Referee".  Linda is currently the Poomsae Director for World Taekwondo, Oceania and also the former Chair of the Australian Taekwondo National Governing Body, Poomsae Officiating Committee.

In 2020, during the pandemic, Linda judged in the 1st WT Online Poomsae World Championships and the 1st World Taekwondo European Online Poomsae Championships. Linda also organised and conducted the 1st World Taekwondo Oceania Online Poomsae Championships. This was recorded as one of the biggest championships in the Oceania region.


PACE Taekwondo - Northcote:
NORTHCOTE HIGH SCHOOL,
St Georges Road, Northcote

(PACE Taekwondo - Clifton Hill classes currently on hold)

CONTACT:
Phone: +61 407 364 286

Find us on FACEBOOK

Bookings

SPORT LINKS:

Australian Taekwondo

World Taekwondo

AFFILIATED CLUBS:

Oh's Taekwondo Centre- Yarraville

White Studio Taekwondo - Brighton