Tripharn joined Sangrok in 2014 when his then 3-year-old son Matt was interested in starting a martial art. Having trialled a different Taekwondo club where children trained without their parents, he was excited to join a club where everyone could train together. From 2014, Matt and Tripharn trained 2-3 times a week and progressed to Blue Belt 3 together. In 2016 his wife (Libby) and daughter Sarah also started training regularly, making Taekwondo an activity the whole family could enjoy. Tripharn joined the instructional team in 2017 and became the Head Instructor in 2024.
Tripharn enjoys all aspects of Taekwondo, but is particularly focused on fitness, sparring and self-defence. He enjoys seeing families training together and can often be seen encouraging parents to join the training with their children. Not only is it a good family activity, but it can help nervous children knowing their parents are with them. It also improves instruction as parents are aware of the correct technique as well. But most of all, it is a fun and healthy activity that families can do together.
Outside of Taekwondo Tripharn works as a consultant for KPMG. He has lived in Canberra for 19 years after moving here with Libby from Brisbane. His son Matt is in Grade 8 (now a 3rd Poom) and daughter Sarah is in grade 4. Sarah considers the Sangrok dojang a second home and has been training solidly since birth!
Tripharn is also an Infantry officer in the Army Reserve having enlisted in 2000.
