WOMEN
WOMEN
WOMEN
WOMEN
Wellington
Hapkido Academy
Instructors
David Olliver
3rd Dan
Dave started his training in 2003 and attained his 1st Dan black belt in 2010, 2nd Dan in 2013, and his 3rd Dan in 2023.
He has travelled to Korea regularly and has experienced training with a number of Korean Masters there. He was the first competitor to represent the New Zealand Hapkido Federation in an International Hapkido tournament in Busan in 2013 and has successfully competed twice in competitions there.
Dave has visited and trained in a number of styles of martial arts on overseas trips but always returns to Hapkido. He is motivated to learn all he can regarding self-defense techniques so that he can incorporate these into his training.
Dave instructs in both the adult and children's classes.
rob finlayson
Hapkido Senior Belt + Taekwondo 2nd Dan
Rob is a 2nd Dan Taekwondo and a Senior Belt in Hapkido. Rob is a guest instructor at Wellington Hapkido Academy's children's and adult sessions.
Rob began training early to mid 1970's in Olympic-style wrestling and competition. In October 1979 he started WTF style TKD. Rob fought in the 1st 4 NZ tournaments. Rob cross-trained in both HKD and WTF style TKD on and off over the years under Grand Master (GM) Lee. He was graded to 1st degree black belt in 1985, and 2nd degree in 1995 in Taekwondo.
Rob was part of the NZ demonstration team from the early 80's under GM Lee promoting Taekwondo in Wellington and further afield helping to open clubs in New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Levin, Otaki & many of the Wellington suburbs as a result. Various styles were periodically trained over the years. ITF style TKD, Kenpo Bushido Ru Karate, Wu style Tai Chi & Tai Chi sword & some Wing Chun, weapons, some Bo, short stick, Knife, Shiriken, throwing knife, pens, coin, credit or business card & whatever comes to hand in time of need. Self-taught with help from others with experience in other styles the Nunchucka, Sai, Tonfa & Balisong. Rob started the Tawa club again after the big split that resulted in 5 of the black belts and a lot of students in Tawa remaining with GM Lee.
Favourite quote: Running is the best form of self-defense... as long as they are not faster of fitter, then a gun is better.