- Sydney martial arts instructor Hakan Manav was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in New Jersey in August 2026, making him and his father, Grandmaster Ridvan Manav, the first father-and-son duo to both receive the honour.
- Grandmaster Ridvan, who holds 9th Degree Black Belts in both Taekwondo and Hapkido, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015 for Lifetime Achievement, having established the Australian Martial Arts Academy in Marrickville in 1982.
- Hakan, a 7th Dan Black Belt, received his own Black Belt at just six years old and has since become a three-time National Taekwondo Sparring Champion, multiple-time World Martial Arts Champion and former Australian Taekwondo Team member.
- The Australian Martial Arts Academy has grown from a single school in Marrickville into a network of Sydney academies, delivering more than 250 classes per week and recently being recognised as the Global Top Single Martial Arts School in the World for the 16th time.
- The Manav family's commitment to martial arts spans three generations, with Hakan's sister Busra, a 4th Dan Black Belt, also serving as an instructor at the academy.
Sydney family makes martial arts history as Hakan Manav joins his father Ridvan in the Hall of Fame
Australian Martial Arts Academy Masters Make History as First Father-Son Duo Inducted into the Hall of Fame
SYDNEY, NSW — August 2026: A Sydney martial arts family has celebrated a remarkable milestone, with Australian Martial Arts Academy Master Instructor Hakan Manav officially inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in New Jersey, USA, in the category of Outstanding Instructor, joining his father, Grandmaster Ridvan Manav, who was inducted in 2015 for Lifetime Achievement.
Hakan Manav was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame at a ceremony held in New Jersey, USA, in August 2026, following in the footsteps of his father, who received his Hall of Fame recognition in 2015 for Lifetime Achievement.
The combined recognition represents a remarkable moment for the Manav family. It’s the first time a father and son have both been inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame.
The Manav family's connection with martial arts began long before the Australian Martial Arts Academy was established.
Grandmaster Ridvan began training in Judo at the age of 10, later taking up boxing before discovering martial arts as a lifelong passion. At 13, he saw his first Bruce Lee film, an experience that inspired an enduring commitment to martial arts.
He travelled extensively around the world to train with masters across numerous disciplines before establishing the Australian Martial Arts Academy in Marrickville in 1982.
What began as a single academy has since grown into a network of Sydney martial arts schools, teaching generations of students and more than 250 classes each week.
For the Manav family, the recognition is about far more than titles and awards.
“This is something I'm incredibly proud of, but what makes it especially meaningful is that it represents something much bigger than an individual achievement,” said Hakan Manav.
“My father started the academy in Marrickville in 1982 and dedicated his life to martial arts, our students and our family. I've had the privilege of learning from him since I was young, and now to be recognised in the same Hall of Fame as him is something I will always be proud of.
“For us, martial arts has always been about family, respect, discipline, hard work and helping the next generation become better people. That's the legacy I hope we can continue.”
Grandmaster Ridvan said seeing his son follow in his footsteps was a particularly proud moment.
“When I received my Lifetime Achievement induction in 2015, I never imagined that one day I would see my son join me in the Hall of Fame,” said Grandmaster Ridvan Manav.
“I am extremely proud of Hakan. I have watched him grow from a young student into a champion, instructor and leader, but most importantly into a person who understands the values behind martial arts.
“The greatest legacy is not the trophies or awards. It is the people we have helped, the families we have been part of and the values we have passed from one generation to the next.”
From a 10-year-old martial artist to a Sydney institution
Grandmaster Ridvan's own martial arts journey began when he was just 10 years old, when he started training in Judo. Boxing followed, and at 13 he was inspired by seeing his first Bruce Lee film.
From that point, he became deeply committed to martial arts, travelling the world to train in different disciplines and learn from masters across a wide range of styles.
A 9th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and 9th Degree in Hapkido, Grandmaster Ridvan went on to win numerous state, national and international competitions during the 1980s, including a gold medal at the World Martial Arts Games.
He was selected to coach the Australian National Team at the World Taekwondo Championships and has been a VIP guest at every Olympic Games since Sydney 2000.
In 2015, Grandmaster Ridvan was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement, recognising his decades of contribution to martial arts, teaching and the development of practitioners and champions.
Throughout his career, Grandmaster Ridvan has helped develop numerous state, national and international champions, while building an academy focused not only on martial arts ability but on confidence, discipline, character and personal development.
A champion from a young age
Hakan Manav began his martial arts journey at a young age and quickly established himself as an exceptional talent.
He became the youngest person ever to achieve his Black Belt at the time, receiving the rank at just 6 years old.
Hakan has now trained in martial arts for more than 35 years and is a 7th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, three-time National Taekwondo Sparring Champion, multiple-time World Martial Arts Champion and former Australian Taekwondo Team member.
He travelled internationally as a member of the Australian Taekwondo Team, competing around the world before going on to establish an extensive career as an instructor, performer and martial arts educator.
Today, Hakan serves as Head Instructor and Manager of the Australian Martial Arts Academy, where teaching remains at the heart of his martial arts journey.
His 2026 induction into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in the category of Outstanding Instructor recognises the contribution he has made through teaching and using martial arts to positively impact others.
A Sydney academy built across generations
The Australian Martial Arts Academy was established by Grandmaster Ridvan in Marrickville in 1982 and has since grown to serve families across Sydney, including communities in Marrickville, Sydenham, Concord, Auburn and Sylvania.
The Manav family's involvement in the academy extends beyond Ridvan and Hakan. Hakan's sister, Busra Manav, is a 4th Dan Black Belt and instructor at the Australian Martial Arts Academy, continuing the family's commitment to teaching and passing martial arts knowledge on to the next generation.
The academy was recently recognised as the Global Top Single Martial Arts School in the World for the 16th time, recognising its educational excellence and teaching.
But for the Manav family, the success of the academy has always been measured by more than awards or accolades.
It is the generations of students who have walked through its doors since 1982.
“Our academy has been fortunate to teach thousands of people over the years, and many of our students have gone on to achieve incredible things in martial arts and in life,” said Hakan.
“That's what makes this moment so special. We are celebrating an award, but we're also celebrating the people, the families and the instructors who have been part of this journey for generations.”
More than four decades after Grandmaster Ridvan established the Australian Martial Arts Academy in Marrickville, father, son and daughter continue to work together, passing their knowledge, experience and values on to another generation.
For the Manav family, Hakan's induction represents another chapter in a family story that began with a young boy discovering martial arts and grew into a lifelong commitment to teaching, competition, family and community.
ENDS
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Master Hakan Manav is available for interview from 21 August
Grand Master Ridvan Manav is available for interview from 2nd September
Photo and interview opportunities include:
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Hakan teaching a martial arts class
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Historical photographs from the academy's 1982 beginnings
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Photographs from Hakan's 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony
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Images from Ridvan's 2015 Hall of Fame recognition
Media contact:
Laurie Mock
Australian Martial Arts Academy
0422 044 402
[email protected]
https://www.australianmartialarts.com.au
Contact details:
Media contact:
Laurie Mock
Australian Martial Arts Academy
0422 044 402
[email protected]
https://www.australianmartialarts.com.au
