A Lifetime of Mateship and Mastery: Grand Masters Greg Wyllie and Hassan Iskandar OAM Reach Taekwondo’s Highest Honour

Through decades of unwavering friendship, disciplined training, steadfast commitment, and distinguished service, Grand Master Greg Wyllie and Grand Master Hassan Iskandar OAM have achieved one of the most distinguished honours in the martial arts: 9th Dan Kukkiwon, Taekwondo’s highest rank.

Their attainment of this extraordinary level was not the result of a singular achievement, but the culmination of sustained preparation, shared purpose, and mutual dedication over many years. As close friends and lifelong practitioners, they trained together with a unified vision, supporting one another through the rigorous and extended journey toward senior rank.

Notably, the progression from 8th Dan to 9th Dan requires a minimum waiting period exceeding nine years, underscoring the patience, perseverance, and sustained contribution required to reach this pinnacle. Their achievement stands as a distinguished testament to the power of friendship, discipline, and lifelong commitment to Taekwondo.

The two Grand Masters successfully completed their final grading at Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, on 17 September 2025. They subsequently returned to Kukkiwon on 13 March 2026 to receive their official 9th Dan certificates and plaques at a formal ceremony attended by senior Taekwondo dignitaries and distinguished guests from across the world.

This prestigious recognition affirms a lifetime of leadership, service, and contribution to the development of Taekwondo. For Grand Masters Wyllie and Iskandar, the journey to 9th Dan was undertaken together — a shared path built upon friendship, integrity, discipline, and an enduring commitment to the art they have both helped shape and elevate on national and international platforms.

Grand Master Greg Wyllie has made an exceptional contribution to Taekwondo in Australia over more than five decades. As a teacher, mentor, and community leader, he has shaped generations of students through his vision, discipline, and dedication. As founder of Wyllie Martial Arts in 1985, he established one of Sydney’s most respected Taekwondo Academies. Among his most notable achievements is successfully lobbying the NSW Education Dept for Taekwondo’s recognition in school co-curricular programs.

He has well established  Taekwondo Physical Education and Sport Co-Curricular Programs in many prominent Sydney Schools. This has helped to mainstream and expand Taekwondo’s reach and influence within schools and local communities.

Grand Master Dr Hassan Iskandar OAM has made an extraordinary contribution to Taekwondo in Australia and internationally over more than five decades. As an instructor, mentor, administrator, and senior leader, he has played a pivotal role in shaping athletes, officials, and the broader Taekwondo community.

He is the founder of the highly acclaimed Pinnacle Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy in Sydney, now a premier academy with multiple thriving branches. Through his leadership, vision, and coaching excellence, he has developed local, state, national, and international champions, as well as Australian representatives across both junior and senior divisions.

His distinguished service includes leadership roles at the highest levels, including President of Australian Taekwondo and, as the first Australian in 50 years, an elected member of the World Taekwondo Council. Through these positions, he has elevated the profile of Australian Taekwondo and strengthened both the martial and sporting dimensions of the art at home and on the world stage.

What makes this achievement especially remarkable is that Grand Masters Iskandar and Wyllie trained together with a shared purpose and reached this pinnacle side by side. Their journey was built on decades of mutual respect, persistence, and sacrifice. In 2016 they completed their 8th dan Kukkiwon Grading together and, as fate would have it, again they attended Kukkiwon in 2025 to grade alongside each other for 9th dan. It is important to note that the progression from 8th Dan to 9th Dan requires an extended waiting period of more than nine years, making this accomplishment a true reflection of patience, commitment, a lifelong devotion to Taekwondo and mateship.

Together, they have made an outstanding contribution to Taekwondo through teaching, mentoring, leadership, and service. Both remain deeply committed to supporting the next generation of senior practitioners and generously sharing their knowledge with aspiring high Dan candidates on the path to Grand Master rank.

The Australian Taekwondo community proudly congratulates Grand Master Hassan Iskandar OAM and Grand Master Greg Wyllie on this exceptional and historic achievement. Their 9th Dan recognition is not only a personal honour, but also a powerful testament to the strength of their legacy, their leadership, and their enduring impact on Taekwondo in New South Wales, across Australia, and internationally.

Grand Masters Wyllie and Iskandar are widely respected for their commitment to helping coaches, masters, and practitioners refine their skills, deepen their knowledge, and advance the standards of Taekwondo. Their influence will continue to be felt for many years to come through the lives they have shaped and the example they have set.