40 years ago when we started Tans Martial Arts it was like starting a new art, with a white belt on, no real idea what we were doing and getting into but with the passion and desire to be someone, we put in all our enthusiasm, determination and love for the art and here we are still on the journey of development and growth forever growing mentally, physically and spiritually.
Where our passion for martial arts came from
Our journey really starts with Mr. Tan and his passion for martial arts. At a very young age he started training to protect his mother and her food stall in a Cambodian marketplace. In his teenage and early adulthood he trained Cambodian Pradal Serey, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, Aikido, Hapkido and Japanese Jujitsu, later on he then focused on running a club teaching both Taekwondo and Judo. Also teaching the national Olympic team and also the police force.
1975 the Khmer Rouge came into power and he was forced to flee. Escaping to a refugee camp in Thailand he applied to go to Japan or Korea to further his martial art training, unfortunately it was unsuccessful. He then applied for Australia and was accepted.
“Australia is a great country, it was hard to apply and hard to get in, but now looking back it was definitely a blessing and I was very fortunate to start living my life here” says Mr Tan.
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Calling Australia home
1976 Mr Tan arrives into Melbourne with nothing more than the clothes on his back.
Blessed to be adopted by an Australian couple he started his life here in Australia and within a week he found a judo club. With a borrowed judogi (judo uniform) he bowed onto the mat and started his judo training once again. Not long after he started his own club teaching Judo and Taekwondo.
How we started
June 1984 Tans Martial Arts Supplier was born, it was one of Mr. Tan’s students Rod Paine who suggested this idea to start this venture. With little to no knowledge of how to run a business Mr and Mrs Tan were fortunate to have the support and advice from Rod. He advised, “as long as you are honest and do the right thing everything will be ok”, something today we hold strongly in our values.
Keeping resilient
It has taken us a long time and a lot of hard work, determination and never giving up to get to where we are now. We worked long hours learning the nature of running a business and becoming more knowledgeable about the Martial art industry. We are still continuously learning to always better ourselves.
Loving what we do
Having martial art experience in various arts has definitely contributed to who we are today. The way we train and think is all relatable. You have to understand the customers and love what they love. Like we always say, “we love what we do because you love what you do”. Even though we haven’t trained all arts we believe they all hold our upmost respect. We aim to provide for all martial art practitioners of all styles.
So much love and support from the martial arts community
Starting with nothing but love and support we have been very blessed. We now have the chance and opportunity to give what we can back. Supporting many causes, with the help from our customers/friends, together raising funds and giving back to help causes such as the floods in Cambodia, the Nepal earthquake, supporting the Cambodian Orphanage Centre, supporting the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, recently the Australian bushfire appeal just to name a few. We strive to give when we can.
We are very blessed
As a family run business, we work as a team, we do our best to provide the best customer service and top product quality to our customers. Our success and growth has been made possible with the loyalty and support of our customers and suppliers. We would like to take this opportunity thank you for all your, loyalty, support and friendship you have given us
Tans Martial Arts was born in Ringwood.
Mr and Mrs Tan starts the Tans Martial Arts Journey.
7 Tans stores Australia wide
Stores in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and 3 stores in Melbourne.
Mr. Tan Inducted into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (AMAHOF)
Mr. Tan and Tans Martial Arts is inducted into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Tans raises funds for flood appeal in Cambodia
Tans raises funds for the floods in Cambodia. Mr. Tan personally travelling to Cambodia to handout supplies.
Break-fall Seminar raising funds for Firefighters
Raising funds supporting the CFA Firefighters. Raising $2,466
Opened the first Tans warehouse in Bayswater.
In-house manufacturing, dispatching, embroidery and warehousing begun.
Sponsoring Tournaments Australia-Wide
Sponsoring a range of tournaments: National All Styles (NAS), International Karate Sports Association (ISKA), Australian Kyokushin Open Full Contact Karate Championships
Tans Presents the Unite and Fight Cancer Fundraiser
Gathering family and friends of the martial arts community to raise funds for cancer research 2009- $15,117, 2010-$16,300, 2011-$16,100
Opening Tans North Melbourne
Combining front store, warehouse, dojo all in one.
Tans Martial Arts was born in Ringwood.
Mr and Mrs Tan starts the Tans Martial Arts Journey.
Opened the first Tans warehouse in Bayswater.
In-house manufacturing, dispatching, embroidery and warehousing begun.
7 Tans stores Australia wide
Stores in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and 3 stores in Melbourne.
Sponsoring Tournaments Australia-Wide
Sponsoring a range of tournaments: National All Styles (NAS), International Karate Sports Association (ISKA), Australian Kyokushin Open Full Contact Karate Championships
Mr. Tan Inducted into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (AMAHOF)
Mr. Tan and Tans Martial Arts is inducted into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Tans Presents the Unite and Fight Cancer Fundraiser
Gathering family and friends of the martial arts community to raise funds for cancer research 2009- $15,117, 2010-$16,300, 2011-$16,100
Tans raises funds for flood appeal in Cambodia
Tans raises funds for the floods in Cambodia. Mr. Tan personally travelling to Cambodia to handout supplies.
Opening Tans North Melbourne
Combining front store, warehouse, dojo all in one.
Break-fall Seminar raising funds for Firefighters
Raising funds supporting the CFA Firefighters. Raising $2,466
Tans Martial Arts
Mission Statement
Tans mission is to provide premium customer service and support for the martial arts community locally, nationally as well as internationally by delivering the widest range of martial art uniforms, martial art protective gear, martial art training equipment, martial art books and DVD’s from around the world at competitive prices. Catering for Aikido, Brazilian Jujitsu, Capoeira, Hapkido, Iaido, Jeet Kune Do, Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, Kenpo, Kobudo, Kali, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, Mixed Martial Arts, Ninjitsu, Taekwondo, Tai Chi, Wu Shu and many more martial art practitioners. With 35 years experience we create what your heart desires, from custom martial art uniforms, belt embroidery, club tracksuits, custom bags, custom gloves, you name it we can made it.