Fighting spirit on a world stage

Canberra area CHAP Dennis Park has competed alongside more than 4000 competitors from over 60 countries at the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang in Seoul.

Hosted by Kukkiwon, Taekwondo's international governing body, CHAP Park competed in Poomsae, which is a forms discipline where athletes perform choreographed routines – selected at random moments before stepping onto the mat – and are scored side by side against an opponent.

“The atmosphere is electric,” CHAP Park said.

“You feel the goose bumps, even in the middle of summer.

“To be there wearing an Australian uniform means you’re representing your nation, your team – and there’s that healthy rivalry between countries competing.”

The Seoul trip was also a family affair.

CHAP Park’s daughter, FLTLT Leah Park – a legal officer currently serving as Aide-de-Camp to the Minister for Defence Industry – competed alongside him, continuing a family tradition that also includes his son, MUSN Robin Park, an Army trumpet musician.

“We help each other a lot. For example, when we were at the competition, Leah coached me, I coached her,” CHAP Park said.

“We’ve trained at the same club for years, so we know each other well enough to spot what needs improving.

“It inspires other families, especially parents whose kids are just starting out.”

Born in South Korea and taught Taekwondo more than 40 years ago, CHAP Park moved to Australia at 16. He has been in Air Force for four years now and is currently posted to 28SQN. Before his time in the military, he was a Baptist minister for 25 years. He said the two callings sit naturally together.

“Self-discipline is a huge thing,” he said.

“Training yourself to focus becomes part of your core being and that’s genuinely useful in chaplaincy work – when you’re with a member, you need to give them full, undivided attention.

“Taekwondo also helped me through some tough times of my own, sustaining my overall spiritual, mental and physical strength.”

He views physical activity as a genuine asset to resilience. Members wanting support can find resources through ADF Mental Health Online or by reaching out to their local chaplain.

CHAP Park will next compete at the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea, in September – his third selection as national champion in the 51-60 Male Individual and Team divisions.

Each competition has seen him improve consistently, through greater flexibility with higher kicks, stronger punches and accurate blocks.

Ahead of the competition, he is preparing with a Taekwondo training school in Korea led by a 2024 gold medallist, alongside his regular sessions and the Australian team’s monthly performance pathway camps in Sydney.

His campaign is backed by the Air Force Sports Council’s Elite Athlete program, which recognises and supports members competing at national and international level – the second time CHAP Park has received the recognition, after first being approved in 2024 for the World Championships in Hong Kong.

“To have this acknowledged by Air Force is quite exceptional,” he said.

“Not every organisation has a process in place to support someone doing this – it’s a real privilege.”

He added that ADF Combat Sport Association’s support had also been particularly helpful, and that he couldn’t have done it without the support from his wife Carin over the years.

His advice for other aviators considering a sport is: “You don't have to be exceptional – just keep training and do what you love.”

“It's never too late and the camaraderie you find along the way is amazing,” he said.