Inspiring in the greatest sense of the word, is what people use to describe Taekwondo athlete and dual Olympian, Safwan Khalil.

While growing up alongside seven brothers would inevitably instil Safwan’s fighting spirit, his fight actually began in 1986, before he was even born.

Due to the impact of the civil war in Lebanon, Khalil’s father fled to Germany with hopes of settling his family into a safer environment, however, he found little security there.

Running out of options, Khalil’s aunty suggested the family move to Australia, saying it was “really safe”.

“I was born there (Lebanon), and was then carried over in my mum's arms. We squatted in my aunty’s house for about four years, and my dad was pretty much trying to do whatever he could to provide for us,” Khalil said of his family’s immigration.

Safwan spoke further on the admiration he has for his parents, in light of all they did and sacrificed for him and his siblings.

“I look back on what they did, and it's just amazing. Unbelievable,” he said.

On top of the trauma of fleeing his home, Safwan’s father also had to deal with a severe injury to his hand.

“My father also lost his fingers in a work accident,” he said.

“A man got his hand stuck in a machine. He went to help him pull them out and as he put his hands in, he lost his fingers as well.

“You can see how that would have added to the drama and obstacles. but my father has one of those thick-skinned, never say die attitudes. He Just kept working. plugging away and opened up a store.”

As a high school teacher and someone who understands what it’s like growing up in Australia as a mainstream student as part of a migrant family, Safwan aims to advocate and build awareness for migrant children faced with foreign environments.

“I came through mainstream schooling growing up and I didn’t have someone to sit me down and say, ‘hey, these guys also came from war torn countries, they haven't had any opportunities, they're here for a better life. That's what I'm trying to do now for these students,” he shared.

“It's mind blowing how many of the mainstream and immigrant kids don't get along because they don't understand each other's story.

“What's happening around the world right now with Palestine and Israel just cements how important it is to nurture and educate,” he continued.

“It really puts things in perspective.”

Safwan’s passion also translates to the world of Taekwondo. What started out as practicing moves from martial films on his brothers, led to him finding a place on the Olympic stage.

He was an extremely active child growing up playing cricket, soccer and pretty much any other sport he had the opportunity to join. It was on the day of Safwan’s first Taekwondo competition that his sporting fate was sealed.

“My coach said to me, ‘see that kid over there? you get to kick him as hard as you want, and you won't get in trouble for it’.” Safwan said.

“As you can just imagine, ever since that moment, I was like, ‘I'm in love with this sport,’ and now we're here.”

Safwan's career has since been highlighted with great feats such as his favourite win at the World University Championships where he beat the competition favourite.

His career is also highlighted by his past two Olympic Games at London 2012 and Rio 2016, and whilst he won a bet that sent his training partner around the Olympic Village and dining hall in a tight, bright lycra suit and taekwondo head guard, he’s still hungry for the ultimate win.

Standing at Coogee beach, Safwan is asked, “How much do you want it?”

“I came so close and just missed out. Imagine you’ve fought four fights but didn't get a medal. All the other athletes that fought four times are on the podium, except for you.”

He looks to the Pacific Ocean behind him and says: “If I could swim this whole ocean and back to show you how badly I want it, I would.”

Willow Berry