Korean Freestyle Martial Arts
Black Belt Directory
Achieving a Black Belt requires years of training, commitment, and resilience. It symbolises not just physical strength and endurance, but also personal bravery, self-respect, and respect for others.
Korean Freestyle Martial Arts is the culmination of many years of Martial Arts Training for Master Mark Buxton. Master Mark began his journey in Martial Arts as a teen and throughout the years has enjoyed the benefits of sharing his knowledge and skills with others.
KFMA has a team of skilled Black Belts to support Master Mark and KFMA students to achieve their martial arts goals.
Meet The KFMA Black Belt Team
Master Mark Buxton
KFMA Master Instructor
5th Dan Taekwondo
4th Dan Hapkido
1st Dan Kumdo
Current Blue Card Holder
From my early teens I studied and practiced martial arts, achieving my Black Belt in Karate at age 18. I found my true calling with Korean Martial Arts and have had the privilege of teaching these arts for over 20 years. I am now an accomplished and experienced Martial Artist with a passion for sharing and teaching the traditional forms of Taekwondo and Hapkido.
I trained with SunBae Martial Arts for over 20 years, starting as a white belt and progressing to Club Instructor as a red belt. Over these years, I was lucky to have the support of Grand Master Bradley Tatnell, Grand Master Michael Tan and Grand Master Song Soo Lee here in Australia and with Grand Master Jae Son Seong in South Korea. In early 2024, after 23 years with SunBae and the blessing of Grand Master Bradley Tatnell, I challenged myself to go out on my own. Korean Freestyle Martial Arts is the product of many years of my training in Australia and South Korea.
I was honoured to live in South Korea for 18mths, immersing myself in the Korean culture and training extensively with Korean Taekwondo and Demonstration Teams. This specialised knowledge has given me an edge to my abilities and training style, which I love to share with my students.
My favourite part of being the Master Instructor at KFMA is seeing my students evolve- from walking through the doors so unsure, awkward and with little confidence to standing strong, confident and executing their moves with precision and surety. It is great to be able to mentor young people and help them reach their full potential. When I hear that a student's performance at school, or their self-discipline and behaviours improve, I feel a sense of accomplishment- this is where I feel I am making even the smallest difference in someone's life- this is why I continue to what I do after all these years.
Sharing my knowledge of traditional Taekwondo and Hapkido with the new generation of martial artists is my passion and it is the sole reason I choose to show up every day for my students.
Attained 5th Dan Taekwondo with SunBae on 28/08/2023
Attained 4th Dan Hapkido with SunBae on 30/12/2022
Attained 1st Dan Kumdo with SunBae 23/06/2018
Master Robert Hearne
4th Dan Taekwondo
Hapkido 9th Gup
KFMA Student # 0039
My interest in martial arts began in childhood, inspired by media and a deep appreciation for both the techniques and philosophy and wisdom that is ingrained in martial arts. I knew from a young age that I would one day be on my own exciting martial arts journey and at age 18 began formal training in Karate.
I later immersed myself in martial arts while training across various styles throughout Australia. Returning to Queensland, I found my true calling in Taekwondo, which has profoundly shaped my life and personal development.
I have trained in multiple clubs throughout my martial arts journey, always upholding the etiquette and standards along the way. Martial arts has always been a large part of my adult life and has taught me a great deal about myself, life and the universe. I feel fortunate to still be a practicing martial artist and still learning.
I started Training with Korean Freestyle Martial Arts on 24th January 2026 and am looking forward to the next exciting part of my martial arts journey with KFMA.
Attained Taekwondo Cho Dan Bo with Russell McCarther Taekwondo & Hapkido on
14/09/2013
Attained 4th Dan Taekwondo with David King Taekwondo & Hapkido
14/04/2024
Brooke Pallister
KFMA Administration Officer
Cho Dan Bo (Provisional Black Belt)
Hapkido 7th Gup
Current Blue Card and NDIS Card Holder
KFMA Student # 0004
I was a 3rd Gup in my 30s, but family life became a priority and I took a break. I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology at age 40 and returned to the workforce after 12 years raising my family. In 2022, after a significant life change, I returned to Taekwondo training with Master Mark- a major turning point in my life.
Fast forward 2026- I am a strong and resilient role model for my two daughters and proud to serve as the administration officer for KFMA. Taekwondo and KFMA are a huge part of me being able to rebuild my life, self-worth and confidence. For the first time in my life, I feel comfortable in my own skin and feel empowered to make my own decisions. I have also started to learn the ability to focus and shut out distraction and noise from others. I now have mental strength that I did not have before I started taekwondo. I am proud to share this journey with my 12yo daughter and see her personal growth as well.
Managing the back-end operations of KFMA, I support Master Mark and KFMA to ensure the Club runs smoothly. This ensures Master Mark is able to focus on what he does best- training and mentoring our students.
I recently became the first ever "purebred" KFMA Taekwondo Black Belt. This is a significant milestone in my life and one that I am very proud of. I hope I can achieve the goal of becoming the first ever KFMA Hapkido Black Belt as well.
I am currently challenging myself with Hapkido, delving further into and sharpening my understanding of Korean language, history and theory. In the back of my mind is my next achievement of 1st Dan but in the meantime, I am focused on finding my feet as a Black Belt, supporting KFMA and our students with their martial arts goals.
Attained Cho Dan Bo (Provisional Black Belt) with KFMA on 14/04/2026