THE BEST IN MARTIAL ARTS COVERAGE Vol.

MAY 2007
Vol. 33
33 No.
No. 55 3.50
3.50

WgeeIRRN !
&
g aaggee &
CCaa ts
UUFFCCeeTPTPiaiacgcgekek10e10e9t9s
S eeS

THE
HITS THE UK!
Its SOLD OUT - But weve got tickets to GIVE AWAY!!!
PLUS: Tournament Reports, Mark Russell - Muay Thai movie star! We ask - Is your art martial?
Don Wilson - Meet The Dragon at Seni07! Self Defence - Can you justify the use of force?
05

9 77095 5 95 1 085
 DVDs to promote
healthy, joyful living
FREE
COMMENT
The world is full of fools.
Postage & Packing
hat was a line from a song I was listening to on

T the radio and I not only realised that he song-

writer was right, I also realised that I was one of
them. In fact, we all are, at one time or another.
The sooner we all realise this, the sooner we might all
become that little bit more tolerant. For example, think
of something that someone has done recently that
made your blood boil (often to a far greater degree
than the event really warranted) and Ill guarantee its
probably something youve done yourself. How many
times have you been in a car and thought look at that

Duncan Wong, an accomplished yogi, former competitive mar-
tial artist and talented massage therapist, is the new yogi to
the stars and creator of Yogic Arts, a synthesis of vinyasa
flow yoga, Buddhist gung fu and Thai massage therapy.
Awakening Level offers an introduction to this high-energy
fusion practice, while Source Power ramps up the action for a
more challenging intermediate/advanced workout.
To order your DVDs and get more information on
this and other titles visit us at:
www.acacialifestyle.com
alternatively call us on 0845 123 2312
 or fill out the coupon below
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Credit card payments: please tick
Visa MasterCard Switch/Maestro
Issue No.
(switch only)
Acacia, 16 Welmar Mews, 154 Clapham Park Road, London, SW4 7DD
idiot talking on a mobile phone? I know I often do and
yet, in all honesty Im one of the worst culprits. I used
to have a right go at anyone who smoked in a non-
for both smoking area until I spent six weeks with a bunch of
29.98 DVDs
very lairy geezers who smoked wherever they
pleased. It was wrong but I wasnt going to tell a miss-
ing link, who looked like he had just been defrosted
from a prehistoric age to put it out, so now I dont feel
I can be hypocritical enough to tell off someone, just
because I think I could beat them up if they objected
and we got into an argument.
Car rage is the worst and yet not one of us is a per-
fect driver. Again, everything I have ever blown my
horn at and given the obligatory having sex with your-
self sign, I have, at one time or another done myself.
Recently a car cut me up and I went ballistic, urging the
other car to pull over. It did and I got out, fuming with
righteous rage only to be confronted by three scousers
who were all bigger than me. Luckily the biggest was a
reasonable guy and let me return to my car with my
dignity, defusing the situation in a way I am usually
known to, yet this time I was the moronic instigator!
The world is full of fools and the sooner you realise
that youre one of them the happier you will be.
To finish on a happier note, I believe this is our
strongest issue of Combat for a long time and much of
this is due to the input of our senior graphic designer
John, who works closely with me and comes up with a
Postcode:
lot of the best ideas, even as he mumbles this isnt my
job. My thanks to him for his continued input even
though hes a fool, just like the rest of us.
Enjoy
start date / expiry date /

Card number: Malcolm

Signature: COLUMNISTS Sean Viera Neville Wray

Mike Finn Paul Allen Jim Fung
Dan Docherty Richard Dimitri Leon Dogan
QUANTITY YOGIC ARTS AWAKENING LEVEL / Peter Lewis
Michael Tse Helen Stranzl
SOURCE POWER DVDs @29.98 TOTAL AMOUNT Mark Cortnage Paul Hennesey
William Sanders
Simon Hazeldine Kerry Louise Norbury Iain Abernethy
Please make cheques & postal orders payable to: Acacia Dr. James Fisher Alfie Lewis
Iain Armstrong
Send your order to: Duncan Wong Anton Van Thomas
Julian Dale
Acacia, 16 Welmar Mews, 154 Clapham Park Road, London, SW4 7DD Chris Samuel CONTRIBUTORS Danny Guba
Keith Gilliland Paul Burkinshaw Richard Thomas
Alternatively ORDER ONLINE at: www.acacialifestyle.com Dan Green Matt Sylvester Rhee Ki Ha
If you are not completely satisfied with your goods, return them undamaged within 30 days Don Heatrick Frank Mensah Steve Proctor
and we will refund your purchase price in full Brian Dossett Tom Hibbert Neil Holden
Acorn may make our mailing list available to carefully selected Please allow up to 14 days for delivery Andy Hopwood Patrick Rault Gavin Mullholland
companies whose products may be of interest to you. Please Andy Bryant Carl Fisher Ross Iannocarro
tick this box if you would prefer not to receive such mailings Promotional Code: CDW John Graden Mic Clark Cris Janson-Piers
ACA001/03 Nino Bernardo Rob Nutley Jeffet Jenkins

Page 4 COMBAT May 2007

 CONTENTS
28

VOLUME 33 NUMBER 5 MAY 2007

REGULARS PUBLISHER/MANAGING DIRECTOR

7 - MARTIAL ARTS NEWSLINE Paul Clifton
14 - KEYBOARD WARRIOR - He knows whats going on!!! EDITOR
Malcolm Martin
17 - BRUTALLY HONEST - Equipment review.
19 - MARTIAL ARTS IN MEDIA - All the latest releases.
SENIOR DESIGNER
Mark John Davies
22 - COMBAT PANEL - When does a style become your own?
34 GRAPHIC DESIGN
Kevin Thompson
MODERN Matthew Riches
28 - MARK RUSSELL- From Muay Thai to the movies!
HOW TO GET WORK PUBLISHED
32 - JOHNSONS KARATE CENTRE - A club profile. To have your submission published in COMBAT
couldnt be easier. Supply your written material
34 - RENER GRACIE - If you dont lose, you can only win! either on disc (ASCII), typed or on audio tape.
Send it together with a covering letter and some
40 - DON WILSON - Return of The Dragon! good quality photos (digital photographs must be
300dpi) to the Head Office (address below).
46 - THE FILIPINO WAY - With Keith Gilliland. NEWS ITEMS
48 - BRUCE LEE - JKD memorabilia special! For all news related items, simply mark your
envelope COMBAT NEWSLINE and together
with a photograph (if required) and a covering
MIND & BODY letter, send it to: COMBAT, Head Office.
or E-Mail: combat_news@martialartsinprint.com
53 - ACHIEVING KICKING POWER - By Ralph Allison.
CALENDAR
54 - BIOMECHANICS - Are they the way to go! 64
If you have a forthcoming event that you would
like published in COMBAT Calendar. Send your
56 - TEAM FOX - Challenges every martial artist on the planet! entry, giving dates, times, and contact numbers,
to CALENDAR COMBAT Head Office.
60 - THE CHAMPIONS LOG BOOK HEAD OFFICE:
With Rocky Sondhi & Tommy Thompson. COMBAT, 135 Aldridge Road,
Perry Barr, Birmingham. B42 2ET.
62 - THE HOOK PUNCH - How to deliver it, properly! Tel: 0121 344 3737 Fax: 0121 356 7300
E-Mail: combat.magazine@btclick.com
64 - POWERBAGS - Develop power through correct movement!
CLUBS DIRECTORY
68 - KARATE KICK MASTER - A new product hits the market! Advertise your club, school, group, Association or
classes for just 5.00 per word for 12 months!, Simply
layout your details (using the current advertisers as an
TRADITIONAL example) including a good example of your
logo/emblem if required and send it together with a
73 - SIL LUM HARK FU MUN - Origins and lineage. cheque to the Head Office. Please mark the envelope
Clubs Directory
74 - NINJUTSU - The original 18 disciplines. or E-Mail: combat_clubs@martialartsinprint.com

78 - WU BIN - Jet Lis Master comes to britain! ADVERTISING DETAILS

If you would like to advertise in COMBAT write or
80 - IS YOUR ART MARTIAL? - By Shaun Boland 87 telephone the Head Office to obtain details, deadline
dates and costs.
82 - MIKE FINN - The choke and strangle. Part 2. DISCLAIMER
COMBAT is published by Martial Arts Publications, Regent House,
84 - WING CHUN TODAY - By Ron Heimberger. 135 Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham. The publishers reserve the
right to reject editorial and/or advertising material as they see fit.
The Publishers accept no responsibility for the return of unsolicited
SELF DEFENCE material. However, the Publishers will endeavour to return such matter
providing that it is accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.
Any material accepted by the Publishers shall be revised or altered
87 - REAL SELF DEFENCE FOR WOMEN - By Robin Horsfall. should the Publisher deem it necessary to do so. The act of submitting
manuscripts and/or materials shall be considered an express warranty
that such material is original and in no way infringes upon the rights of
89 - THE GIFT OF FEAR! - By Keith Gray. others. It is expressly forbidden for any part of the magazine to be
reported whatsoever without the permission of Editor / Publishers. The
90 - RUSSIAN CHRONICLES - With Aran Dharmeratnam. views or comments expressed in these pages are not necessarily those
of the editor or Publisher. Distribution by COMAG, Tavistock Works,
Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE.
92 - MODERN COMBATIVES - The forward aggressive drive.
94 - JUSTIFYING THE USE OF FORCE - A legal argument.

96 -
98 -
SPORT
NEIL GROVE - Karate works in the cage!
THE WON - Watford Open Nationals.
106 www.CIMAC.net
101 - MATT PRICE - KUGBs captain retires! For All Your
102 - DOUBLE IMPACT!
With Cris Janson-Piers & Kerry-Louise Norbury Martial Arts
104 - CAGE RAGE NEWS - The Beast fights in the cage! Needs
106 - UFC NEWS - The UFC hits the UK!
109 - WIN - CAGE RAGE AND UFC TICKETS!!! Call our Hotline now on:
111 - MARTIAL ARTS CALENDAR
125 - CLUBS DIRECTORY & CLASSIFIEDS SECTION 0121 327 8880
COMBAT May 2007 Page 5
martial arts
newsline
BRINGING YOU THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD OF MARTIAL ARTS. IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING WE DONT THEN WRITE OR FAX IT TO US AT
135 ALDRIDGE ROAD, PERRY BARR, BHAM B42 2ET. FAX: 0121 356 7300. E-MAIL: newsline@martialartsinprint.com
THE SYMBOLISM OF
MUAY THAI
A BLAST FROM THE PAST
Bruce Carnaby taught judo
since the Sixties but he gave
up training in 1984 as a 5th
dan with Budo of Great
Britain. Then 22 years later (in
2006) he turned up at an old
students dojo in Wallsend-on-
Tyne and began training
again. Bruce is now 65 but
hed lost none of his tremen-
dous fighting spirit. It didnt
take him long to win the
respect of the senior squad
and hes since gone on from
there by opening a new club -
the Budokwan. The Budokwan
opened on February 2nd 2007
in the Scouts Hall, Collywell
Bay Road, Seaton Sluice,
North Tyneside so if you are
interested in learning from an
old and accredited master, be
sure to call on Bruce!
GRAEME RANDALL
MAKES 6TH DAN!
Scottish Institute of Sport
judo coach Graeme Randall
was awarded 6th dan by the
British Judo Association in
recognition of his competitive
performance. Randall,
Scotlands most successful
judoka, is one of the youngest
ever to be awarded the grade.
Graeme joined the Institutes
apprentice coach programme
in November 2002 after retir-
ing from the sport and before
becoming the high perfor-
mance judo coach in 2005.
Graeme is Scotlands first
and only judo world champion.
He represented Scotland and
Britain over 100 times and
won a gold medal at the
2002 Commonwealth Games
held in Manchester.
THE SYMBOLISM OF MUAY THAI
The Golden Dragon
Martial Art Center hosted a
seminar for the Martial Arts
Association International.
Topics for the seminar were the
Wai Kru & Ram Muay of Muay
Thai which, as you well know
are the traditional rituals gone
through by Thai boxers imme-
diately prior to the fight. Kru
Bernd Hoehle taught the semi-
nar and explained the purpose
of the various elements of Wai
Kru (respect to country, ances-
tors and teacher shown by
three bows) and Ram Muay -
driving out fear of the forth-
coming combat while sealing
off the ring from evil influences.
The Ram Muay is accompa-
nied by Thai music produced
on drums, cymbals and flutes.
Movements are highly symbolic
and each has a meaning or a
connotation not readily under-
stood if you didnt attend this
seminar!
Visit www.MAA-I.com for
information about MAA-I pro-
grammes and activities.
BUSHIDOS GRADING RESULTS
Thirty-Five junior and 11
senior judoka took part in the
Bushido Academy of Judos
junior/senior kyu and dan
grading at Wallsend Sports
Centre in Tyne and Wear. The
grading began at 10.00am
and comprised performance in
the Bushido Academy grading
syllabus followed by kyu grade
competition to assess the stu-
dents competition abilities.
In the junior section, Kieron
Wright was graded to 6th kyu
while Luke Taylor, Danny
Huzoiyenko, Eve Ellerby,
Alannah Harvey and Stephanie
Hawthorne made it to 6th kyu +
1 yellow. Dylan Elliott, Ryan
Wright, Alexander Bannister,
Callum Williamson, Paul Harvey
and Samantha Edmonds graded
to 6th Kyu + 2 yellow. Kerry
Hampton, Lathan Phillips,
Melissa Smith and David
McGlen were promoted to 6th
kyu + 3 yellow. Phil Jarjoura,
Kieron Tweedy, Dylan Laing,
Ryan Hindmarch and Summer
Ireland graded to 5th Kyu. The
5th Kyu + 1 Orange belt was
awarded to Daniel Hindmarch
while Robert Stuart and Tonicha
Brown each added a second
orange to their 5th kyus. Phillip
Bannister graded to 4th kyu and
Laurie Cairns made 4th Kyu + 1
Green. Adding a second green
were Marley Taylor and Josh
Martin. Callum Williamson was
promoted to 4th kyu + 3 green.
Emeka Obasi, Fraser Burns
and Katie Young achieved 3rd
kyu and Callum Thompson
was promoted to 3rd Kyu + 2
blue. Darren May won his
3rd Kyu + 1 brown while
Tasmin Brown achieved her
3rd Kyu + 3 brown.
Senior kyu grade promo-
tions saw Mick Zambas graded
to 5th kyu, Andrew Yates to 4th
Kyu, Glen Young and Gavin
Wood to 3rd kyu, John
Bannister to 2nd kyu and Kris
Anderson to 1st kyu. Billy
Snowden, Graham Lucking and
Kevin Corden all graded to 1st
dan in the senior dan grade
promotions.
The most successful senior
WKU GRADING
RESULTS
judoka formed a 10-man line
up to face Malcolm Young and
Barry McSherry who were
being examined for 3rd and
4th dan respectively.
Malcolm demonstrated
nage-no-kata and katame-no-
kata before going on to defeat
all 10 of his opponents in the
line on the way to his 3rd dan.
Barry demonstrated nage-no-
kata and kaeshi-no-kata (forms
of counter throws) before
defeating the line-up and secur-
ing this 4th dan promotion.
Barry is an instructor at
Bushido Judo Kwai. Malcolm is
an instructor at Battle Hill Judo
Club. Kevin Corden is an
instructor at Seghill Judo Club.
WKU GRADING RESULTS
Thirty members of the
Welsh Karate Union took part
in a black & brown belt course
and grading at Bridgend
Recreation Centre in South
Wales. Of that 30, 12 took
part in a grading. Dylan
Hywel, Hugh Edwards and
Liam Waters achieved 2nd kyu.
Thomas Anderson and Brandon
Stephens were promoted to 1st
kyu. Steve Kordell and Anna
Robson gained their 1st dans,
Laura Williams Alison Webster
and Benjamin Webster made
2nd dan. Jon Hallett and Mark
Baxter graded to 3rd dan.
Paul Watson is the clubs
chief instructor and you can
find out more about the Union
by calling him at 0165-665-
5784 or by visiting www.
welshkarateunion.org.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 7

EMBROIDERED
CLUB BADGES
ALSO
AVAILABLE
EMBROIDERED
LEISUREWEAR.
WOVEN TIES.
BASEBALL CAPS.
PRINTED
T-SHIRTS &
SWEATSHIRTS.
BADGES:
TAISHOS TOURNAMENT
EMBROIDERED Sunderland Karate
(MINIMUM Academy took students from
JUST 25), Lambton St. Karate Kai,
ENAMEL. Redhouse Karate Kai and St.
BLAZER. Andrews Karate Kai to the
Taisho-Do Karate Tournament
in Cleveland. In the senior cat-
egories (determined by age,
sex and grade), Colin Murray
won the kata and placed 2nd
in kumite. Danny Rogers came
WRITE OR PHONE FOR FREE COLOUR BROCHURE!!! 3rd in kata and 3rd in kumite.
Kaylee Leach placed 2nd in
ENSIGN MOTIFS kumite and Steve Colvin placed
3rd in kumite.
PORTKIL BAY, KILCREGGAN, DUNBARTONSHIRE,
Team SKA comprises
G84 0LN. Telephone: 0143684 2581 or 2716 Derek Laing, Kim Parker &
Fax: 01436 842854. Steve Colvin. They placed 3rd
ENS001/01
in kata and 2nd in kumite.
Kaylee Wheeler won junior
kata while Chetan Singh Kang
placed 3rd in kata. Team SKA
comprises Karam-vir Kang,
Nicole Leach & Nicole Smith
and they placed 3rd in kata,
2nd in kumite.
Visit the SKA web-site at
www.incredimail.com/index.
asp?id=98998
EYE INJURIES IN BATTLE ARE
EXPENSIVE AND AVOIDABLE
The following item has little
to do with martial art practice
in the training hall - but every-
thing to do with martial art!
You might be interested to see
what issues affect the martial
artists who today risk life and
limb in the worlds battlefields.
Eye safety is becoming an
increasingly important and
costly factor in the assessment
of battlefield casualties,
accounting for some 16 per
cent of all battlefield injuries.
Most these eye injuries would
have been avoidable had the
casualty been wearing suitable
protective eyewear.
The nature of warfare and
the rules of engagement have
changed dramatically since the
end of the Cold War.
Conventional ground forces are
being attacked by irregular ter-
rorist forces using improvised
TLP001/02 explosive devices, suicide
Page 8 COMBAT May 2007
TAISHOS TOURNAMENT
bombers and sniper fire.
Defensive protection rather
than offensive action is some-
times the key to survival.
The US Army Surgeon
General estimated that eye
injuries amount to approximate-
ly $160 a year per active-duty
soldier but many are avoidable
by using suitable ballistic eye-
wear which costs less than
$100 per person. The actual
cost for the soldiers alone is
more than $100 million over
the course of their lifetimes!
The US Army Medical
Command has reported 380
serious eye injuries in
Afghanistan and Iraq, repre-
senting a total of 14 per cent of
all wounded in action. Seventy
five soldiers were blinded in
one eye and five lost their sight
totally. A total of 3,077 eye
injuries were reported and 90%
of those could have been pre-
vented by wearing proper bal-
listic eyewear!
While combat helmets
provide substantial cranial pro-
tection against penetrating
trauma, the eyes and face
remain exposed to shrapnel
and other projectiles.
TAKING ON THE UFC
Alfred Haber Distribution
Inc. (AHDI) has teamed up
with the International Fight
League (IFL), the latter being
the worlds first team-based
professional MMA league.
AHDI is the exclusive interna-
tional distributor (excluding
Latin America and the Middle
East) of the IFLs two new series,
IFL Fight Night and IFL
Battleground.
IFL was co-founded by
Gareb Shamus and Kurt Otto,
and it comprises 12 teams, 10
of which are based in the
United States (New York,
Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles,
Tucson, Portland, San Jose,
Reno, Orange County and the
Quad Cities) plus one in Tokyo
and the other in Toronto.
IFL is attempting to make
the sport more mainstream by
moving from the cage to an
oversized boxing ring and by
restricting the rules. The result
has been the production of two
TV series, one for prime-time
and one for late nighters.
IFL Fight Night is a 22-show,
one-hour late night event show-
casing five fights between two
teams. It premiered February
23rd on the FOX Sports
Network (FSN) in the US.
IFL Battleground, comprises
22 two-hour programs, and is an
exclusive behind-the-scenes look
at the IFL with action footage of
the MMAs stars and their world
champion coaches. The series
also includes event action and
highlights, and you can view it in
the US on MyNetworkTV starting
March 12th.
GOING FOR GOLD!
Britains team for Judos
2007 European
Championships in Belgrade
contained four former
European gold medallists. The
tournament was a qualifier for
the 2008 Olympics and our
team included reigning champi-
on Craig Fallon. Craig, you will
recall, was out following a
shoulder surgery sustained dur-
ing last November. Fellow
champion Sarah Clark also
took part. Karina Bryant
returned from 6 months of con-
ditioning in Australia and 2002
winner, Georgia Singleton,
made a comeback at interna-
tional level. The remainder of
the womens squad comprised
Sophie Johnstone, Michelle
Rogers and Sally Conway.
Joe Delahaye and European
bronze medallists Euan Burton
and Winston Gordon were
included, as were Matthew
Pursey, Peter Cousins and 17-
year-old Jean-Rene Badrick.
TEAM-WORK SUCCEEDS!
Ogmore Comprehensive
School, the Welsh Karate
Union and Bridgend Sports
Development Department have
been working together since
2006 to run Shotokan karate
sessions as an alternative
physical education programme
for Year 11 girls.
The 2006 programme was
such a great success that the
partners teamed up again to
run another 4-week pro-
gramme for the same age
bracket. The programme aims
at giving the girls a basic intro-
duction to self-defence, co-ordi-
nation improvement and confi-
dence-building. Participants
received a certificate of
achievement and are reported
as having thoroughly enjoyed
the sessions.
Visit the Bryncethin Karate
club through the Welsh Karate
Unions website at
www.welshkarateunion.org or
call Karl Paterson on 0165-
672-1670.
The Welsh Karate Union is
affiliated to the Welsh Karate
Governing Body, the latter
being the only karate govern-
ing body recognised by the
Sports Council for Wales.
PART OF THE UNION
Simon Preston, John Dove,
David Powell, Les Edmondson,
Vivian Thomas, Wynford
Williams, Brian Edmondson,
John Trudgill, Robert Salter,
John Parkinson, Wayne
Humphries, John Kemp and
Tony Leishman between them
represent Tiger Gym
International, the International
Tang Soo Do Federation,
Bridgend Martial Arts
Academy, the Tang Soo Do
Moo Duk Kwan Federation of
Great Britain, the Traditional
Tang Soo Do Federation and
the World Traditional Tang Soo
Do Federation. Total member-
ship of these associations totals
around 2,000 members and
they met recently in Henley-in-
Arden to inaugurate The Tang
Soo Do Union.
The Union is a collection of
non-related federations/associ-
ations in which each group
retains its own individuality and
lineage. The Unions open door
policy means that any tradition-
al Tang Soo Do practitioner is
welcome to affiliate.
Purpose of the Union is to
act a forum for Tang Soo Do
groups to broaden their lines of
communication and one way to
achieve this is via the new web-
site at www.tangsoodounion.
com and also via events such as
the Training with the Masters
seminar scheduled for Coventry
on Sunday June 24th. The semi-
nar will cover generic topics
such as speed, agility and quick-
ness core drills, and core skills
to improve kicking. Attendees
will be able to train under a
number of senior masters.
The seminar will be taught
in 30 minute slots and you can
reserve your place by calling
0776-694-7932.
REECE THE CHAMPION!
Nariman Jeddi is the Chief
Instructor of Hanko-Ryu
Karate-do and a world kata
judge. He judged at the
European Cadets and Juniors
in Izmir, Turkey and was
favourably impressed by Reece
Taylor from Britain. Reece won
the gold medal and is other-
wise distinguished by being the
current English and British
champion. Reece also won his
division in the London games
for the last 5 years and you
can add the title of
Commonwealth champion to
that for good measure. Last
year Reece was defeated by
the same opponent from Spain
whom he vanquished this year!
Reece, it seems trains regularly
with Mr. Nariman in Shito-Ryu
and you can make contact with
the winners by visiting
www.hankoryukarate.com
THE YOUNG ONES
Four young fighters from
the March Nighthawks Martial
Arts Academy made impres-
sive competitive debuts in a
tournament in Peterborough.
Six-year-old William Barnes
came third place in his first-
ever competition. Ten-year-old
Brandon Walker was another
first-timer who reached the
third-place fight-off before los-
ing. Harrison Barnes (aged 11)
lost his third place fight-off by
a single point.
Then it was 17-year-old
Ashley Watsons turn in the
limelight when she defeated
Annie Morfjord (Edinburgh) in
Scotlands first-ever female
MMA fight. It took just over two
minutes of the first round to
defeat Annie.
Ashley is a member of
Bowness-based Headhunters
REECE THE
CHAMPION!
MMA and she shared her vic-
tory with team-mate Robert
Stevenson. Robert defeated
Sean Macdonald (Edinburgh).
DEREK LANGHAM
The KUGB have issued the
following statement: We are
very sorry to announce the
death of Derek Langham who
passed away peacefully on
Friday 25th January, following
a long illness. Derek started
karate in 1965 and was a
founder member of the KUGB.
He was a very well respected
and high ranking Karateka,
achieving the grade of 6th dan
and attaining National and
International Referee status.
He was our National
Administrator and Finance
Officer for over 20 years and
was very active on the
Committees of both the
European and World Shotokan
Karate-Do Associations.
Derek became ill several
years ago and had to retire
from his positions in the KUGB.
We extend our deepest condo-
lences to his wife Jenny, his
daughter Helen, his step-daugh-
ter Rachel and to their families.
A private funeral service
was held near Dereks home
town in Derbyshire and attend-
ed by senior members of the
KUGB.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 9
SHAOLIN GONGFU PERFORMANCE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE
SHAOLIN GONGFU PERFOR-
MANCE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE
The New Year is an impor-
tant time for Chinese people
throughout the world as they
reflect on the past, look to the
future and renew the ties of
family, kinship and communi-
ty. Thats why the Chinese New
Year is an integral part of the
calendar of modern multicultur-
al Britain. Indeed, Londons
Chinese New Year celebrations
attract thousands of people into
central London each year.
This years celebrations,
making the Year of the Pig,
were hosted by the London
Chinatown Chinese Association
and perhaps the most fascinat-
ing of the many demonstrations
was delivered by Shifu Shi
Henglong of the Shaolin
Gongfu. He had two iron bars
broken over his head (dont try
this at home!). Afterwards Shifu
Henglong presented the Lord
Mayor of London, Alexander
Nicoll, with a gift during a
backstage visit.
Visit www.chinesegongfu.
co.uk for details about this
mind-bending system!
SKE GRADING RESULTS
Mrs. Reiko Enoeda, wife
of the late Keinosuke Enoeda,
attended the recent SKE Dan
Grading and presented the
certificates. Successful candi-
dates for second dan were
Gary James, Sarah Aghassi
and Daniel Jenkinson.
Gautama Bidd, Jake Holloway,
Louis Maharaj, Jason Yap,
Karen Chapman, Kristina
Baraskeva, Terence Thomas,
Lee Constantinou, Philip
Loates, Erdal Hocaoglu and
Rachel Stanhope were promot-
ed to first dan.
Two SKE Black and Brown
belt courses are held each year
and it is then that members can
attempt dan gradings.
Shotokan Karate England
was formed in 2005 following
Enoeda-senseis death. A group
of his dan grades decided to
Page 10 COMBAT May 2007
leave all the politics behind and
form the SKE which comprises
a solid base of senior black
belts, clubs and instructors.
SKEs Chief instructor, Rod
Butler, was a student of
Enoeda-sensei for many years
and hes now working on an
alternative to Karate England
which he hopes will be of inter-
est to traditional karateka. Hes
named this alternative
Traditional Karate Great
Britain and you can find out
about it through visiting
www.shotokan-karate-england
.co.uk.
THE VIPS
Entrepreneurs Alexandre
Pequeno and Vangaard have
set up Vangaard
International Pro Tour (VIP),
which claims to offer a pro-
fessional structure for grap-
plers. It kicks off with a
European launch, followed by
later seasons hosted in Japan,
United States and Brazil. First
season teams get into the sec-
ond round by winning one of
the VIP qualifying sessions,
the first of which will happen
in France during June 2007.
Stay tuned for dates and
times! Winners of the second
round will compete in the
Grand Grappling Finale in
Paris during 2008. First price
is $15,000 and additional
prizes will be added by the
event sponsors.
Visit http://protour.van-
gaardwear.com to find out
about this new opportunity!
CLOSE COMBAT SEMINAR
CLOSE COMBAT SEMINAR
Martial Arts Association -
International held what it
termed a Security Tactical Close
Combat seminar for security
personnel and athletes. First
part of the seminar dealt with
theoretical aspects and with
training in entrance techniques.
Next part comprised propor-
tionate responses to take control
in various situations.
Seminar leader was Bernd
Hoehle and you can find out
about future courses and semi-
nars by visiting www.MAA-I.com.
WFK & EFK UPDATE
An open meeting of the
World Federation of Kick-box-
ing and the European
Federation of Kick-boxing,
took place at Lynnsport Sports
Centre in Kings Lynn. It was
attended by World, European
and British kick-boxing champi-
ons, their trainers and event
promoters. Purpose of this
meeting was to update every-
one with what transpired at a
recent meeting in Paris in
January. This meeting discussed
topics such as possible WFK
Kick-boxing involvement with
the Olympics and WFK title
fights schedules during 2007.
Dell Mann is President of
WFK/EFK UK and a Vice-
President of EFK Europe and the
WFK and EFK have their head-
quarters in Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
WFK/EFK UK set up a UK
Fight Commission, which is
responsible for all title fight
match making. Promoters &
trainers can submit fighters for
titles but the Fight Commission
has to agree the match.
Additionally, EFK has adopted a
constitution as part of its effort to
be recognised both by the Sports
Council and the International
Olympic Committee.
WFK/EFK UK Amateur
Kick-boxing Championships
are being scheduled all across
the country. These take the form
of light-continuous and full-con-
tact matches held in boxing
rings. The WFK UK
Championships will be held at
Lynnsport Sports Centre during
December 2007. Winners will
be eligible to represent EKF in
the World Martial Art Games
in India in 2008. The WFK is
the only World Kick-boxing
Organisation allowed to take
part in these games. The World
Games will be opened by the
President of the International
Olympic Committee.
Two presentations were
made at the meeting in Kings
Lynn. First was to Shawn
Burton who won the EFK PRO
European full-contact kick-box-
ing title in November 2006.
Del Mann presented Shawn
with his hand-made belt.
Shawn next enters the ring to
defend his European title
against Italian Champion Diego
Bianco at Lincoln.
Second presentation was to
Grand Master Goff who has
produced many World,
European, and British
Champions. Goff received two
certificates from Del, each
SKE GRADING RESULTS
recognising his status as a
Grand Master. Grand Master
Goff was also presented with a
glass engraved bowl to com-
memorate the occasion.
MEET CHOI JUNG HWA!
ITA is hosting a seminar
for 2nd degrees and above
under Choi Jung Hwa. Dates
for the two-day seminar are
12th & 13th May 2007.
Master Choi will greet every-
one personally and this is an
opportunity to meet the
President of the ITF and the son
of the late General Choi.
WAKOS FEMALE CHAMPIONS
The WAKO British
Championship was held in
Nottingham and attracted
around 1,000 fighters!
Tamworth Kick-boxing
Academys British, European
and World Champion Stacey
Terminator Hawkins was one
of those, and she took to the
ring in two weight divisions.
She performed as usual in the -
50 kilo division, finishing with
an exciting final against
Bethany Billingham (NSKA).
Hawkins went straight into
the attack, hammering
Billingham with a jab and
straight right before dropping
her with a spinning hook kick
to win the -50 kilo British title.
Next she fought in the -55 kilo
division and once again made
the final - this time against
Scottish Champion Yasmin
Anderson. Anderson showed
why she is also a Champion
fighter by catching Hawkins
with kick and punch combina-
tions to win the fight. But a sil-
ver medal is no bad thing!
NORTH WESTS SUCCESSES
Fighters from 18 countries
took part in The Amateur
Martial Arts International
Karate Open in Nottingham
but none could defeat North
West Karate Academys Luke
Scott in the mens senior
kumite, 70kg division.
The rest of his club also did
well with Alex Hodge, Scott
and Paul Charlton winning a
silver medal in the senior team
kata. Additionally, Alex placed
third behind Scott in the 70kg
kumite category.
Natalie Charlton won two
silvers in 13-15 years girls
kumite (-55kg) and together
with Nicole Halsall and Amy
Cook in the 10-15 years girls
team kumite (+45kg category.
Amy also won a bronze
medal in both the 12-13 years
girls kata and 13-15 years
girls kumite (+55kg section).
Not to be left behind, Nicole
WIN
WITH
WAKOS FEMALE
CHAMPIONS
won a bronze medal in the
13-15 years girls kumite
(+55kg group). To put the cap
*Prize supplied by
on it, Lydia Coleman place Mainstream
second in the 10-11 years
Publishing
kumite (-35kg) and third in the
kata - one place behind
Samantha Anderton.
CATFIGHTING AT THE PALAIS
Fourteen models from the
North of England and South-
East London area left the cat-
walk behind and entered the
ring at Hammersmith Palais to
trade punches. One of them -
Lydia Hrela (Biggin Hill) - had a
very special reason for taking
part - it was the second anniver-
sary of the death of her brother,
heavyweight boxer Tiger! Lydia
learned about the auditions for
the Catfight competition almost
exactly a year after his death
and felt this was something she
had to go in for to keep her
brothers memory alive.
PULLING TOGETHER
Everyone knows that MMA
FACING TYSON
needs much better regulation
here in the UK and it seems
that this might well be a reali-
ty in the near(ish) future. Talks
OUR BOOK OF
have been held between Cage
Warriors (and their parent
company Warrior Promotions),
Ultimate Force, Freestyle
Fighting Federation (FX 3) and
THE MONTH!
House of Pain but for some
strange reason, Cage Rage, the
UKs leading company doesnt
seem to have been involved.
MMA has experienced a
WORTH 10.99!
massive growth in popularity
and states in the USA - such as
Nevada - already have unified
rules. The World Wide Cage
Network was formed by GCM
in Japan in order to unify rules
between organisations around
EMAIL YOUR NAME ADDRESS AND STYLE TO
the world and its obvious that
the UK organisation hopes to tysoncomp@martialartsinprint.com
follow in their footsteps. Having
unified rules, weights and
OR WRITE YOUR DETAILS ON A POSTCARD AND SEND
structure will benefit everyone IT TO:- Tyson Book Competition, 135 Aldridge Road
in the sport - promoters, fight-
ers and fans. Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2ET
COMBAT May 2007 Page 11
The Keyboard Warrior
Chinese Food Delivery in Paisley - One
of the most dangerous jobs out there!
A takeaway delivery driver ended up
in court after he was caught with a dan-
gerous martial arts weapon alongside the
Chinese meals he was transporting.
Cops who pulled over 25-year-old
Grant Morris as he was delivering
meals got a surprise when they discov-
ered he was packing a pair of
nunchucks aka chucks.
Morris told the officers he was carry-
ing the weapon for his self-defence.
When the officers asked if he had any-
thing that he shouldnt have with him, he
took the chucks from the passenger seat.
Obviously there must have been a
side order of Sum dumguy, or maybe
he was worried about the order for
Cream of Sumyounguy?
New Era Fighting - Violent Hippies?
Well no actually, these guys are in
fact the latest MMA show to jump on
the bandwagon, and are headed by
Kimo. Being the internet freak that I am,
I popped along to their website to see
what they had to offer, and was blown
away by the picture of those fighters that
had made it through the first tryouts.
Porky, bigger man boobs than I
have and hes holding that guys leg for
the photo were some of the more print-
able thoughts that sprung into my mind,
as I trawled through their nice looking
site. When the advert on the site said
that you had to be heavier than 92.99kgs
(205lbs) I think that most of the guys in
the picture took that to heart, and headed
down to the Pizza Hut buffet! Im a key-
board warrior, so long as my fingers are
quick and nimble it doesnt matter if Im
fat, but these guys?
Page 14 COMBAT May 2007
He knows whats going on !!!
Yet another knee-jerk reaction
proves how stupid MPs truly are!
The Home Office announced today
that the sale of imitation samurai swords
could be banned by the end of the year.
Importing or hiring the weapons could
also be made illegal following a string of
so-called samurai sword attacks in
recent years. Breaching the ban, which
is targeted at cheap imitation samurai
swords would result in up to six months
in jail and a 5,000 fine.
Collectors and martial arts enthusi-
asts owning or using genuine samurai
swords would be exempt from the ban.
Home Office estimates show that there
have been at least 80 serious crimes
involving the swords in England and
Wales over the last four years.
Last month, amphetamine addict
Hugh Penrose was jailed for at least 19
years for hacking a 21-year-old woman
with a samurai sword and then deliberate-
ly running her over. Rest assured, there
are no knee-jerk plans to ban cars. This is
despite the fact that cars have killed far
more people than samurai swords.
It is currently legal to buy samurai
swords - which are freely available at
martial arts shops and on the internet -
provided they are not brandished in a
public place. The Home Office now wants
to ban their sale as part of a wider crack-
down on knives and bladed weapons.
Vernon Coaker, the Home Office min-
ister, said today: Samurai sword crime is
low in volume but high in profile and I
recognise it can have a devastating
impact. Since it is so low in volume does
it really warrant the huge cost in legal ser-
vices and consultation, a cost that you and
sent there are 17 weapons, including
I are going to have to shoulder?
Banning the sale, import and hire
will take more dangerous weapons out of
circulation, making our streets safer. No
it wont, as there are already thousands
of imitation swords out in circulation.
We recognise it is the cheap, easily-
available samurai swords which are
being used in crime and not the genuine,
more expensive samurai swords which
are of interest to collectors and martial
arts enthusiasts.
It is already illegal to have a samurai
sword in a public place but I want to
restrict the number of dangerous
weapons in circulation to enhance com-
munity safety. He was also reported to
have shut the barn door after finding his
horse had bolted.
For some reason however, there is no
mention of banning the sale of kitchen
knives to under eighteens since these are
far more accessible to anyone sixteen
and over. Want to stab someone? Go to
Debenhams, choose a nice knife from
the shelf and buy it, no questions asked.
The plans are outlined in a consultation
paper, Banning Offensive Weapons, pub-
lished by the Home Office today. At pre-
knuckle-dusters and batons, on the
Offensive Weapons Order. The exemp-
tions would be for groups such as the
To-ken Society of Great Britain and the
British Kendo Association. It will cer-
tainly be interesting to see whether non-
aligned clubs are forced to join these
associations in order to continue practic-
ing the sport they enjoy.
Last year, Tory MP James
Brokenshire (Hornchurch) said cheap
samurai swords were as easy to buy as
purchasing a Lotto ticket. So are
knives. Then again, has he tried buying
Lottery Tickets on a Saturday night? A
sword would come in handy then.
Chav scum get a kicking!
I dont know. Society these days! It
used to be that Chavs could wander the
streets at will, duffing up anyone they
wanted to and getting away with a
slapped wrist and a few quiet nights in
(aka ASBO). Nowadays, no-one seems
to recognise this long established tradi-
tion and its the old people who are to
blame. OAP (Old Aggressive Person)
Buster Martin has showed that, even at
100, he still knew how to handle himself
when he was confronted a group of
chavs after a night at the pub.
Mr Martin, a car washer-cum-
mechanic, said: They just came at me
and pushed me against a wall and tried
to take my money from me.
Then they pushed me on the floor and
I went mad. I was lashing out on the floor
and then I stood up and was kicking them
all. I pushed one and kung fu kicked the
other one between the legs and he let out
a scream. They ran off scared after I did
that and I still had all my money.
So it seems that if youre being ter-
rorised in your own home by chavs is to
kickem in the groin, Kung Fu style.
They thought I was an easy target
but they didnt realise what a fighter I
can be. Ive been fighting all my life
ever since I was a kid, he added.
Despite the tongue-in-cheek nature
of Keyboard Warrior, Keyboard Warrior
would like to extend his sincere congrat-
ulations on a job well done.
Getting your just desserts
Kevin OConnor, a Karate coach who
falsely claimed to be disabled has been
jailed for 15 months after conning
33,000 in incapacity benefit and disabil-
ity living allowance. Kevin OConnor,
who said he could barely walk due to a
bad back, was arrested after being secret-
ly filmed giving a class at a sports cen- Rich Franklin
tre, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard.
Covert surveillance in late 2004 followed
an anonymous tip-off to the national ben-
efit fraud hotline about the 49-year-old,
who was also working as a security
guard. Rumours that the surveillance was
carried out by members of the local
Bujinkan Dojo cannot be confirmed, as
no-one can find where they train.
Apparently OConnor did actually
have a bad back at one time but he con-
tinued to claim once he got a nice new
job. Obviously the Oh yeah, I forgot to
tell you defence didnt work. Just goes
to show that the public perception of
black belts upholding Western and
Christian virtues and morals just dont
match the reality anymore.
Daley snubs the UFC you we love you, when we hate you we
According to some, its all change in hate you and when we want to take
the life of British fighter Paul Semtex things completely out of context we
Daley, current FX3 and Cage Rage will! This is especially the case when
British Welterweight Champion. There were trying to build up anticipation for
has been a lot of speculation about his an event, and sell as many tickets as pos-
future in the sport and when he would sible. The event actually sold out some-
move to the international stage. Now, thing like five days before it happened
Daley has signed a contract with Elite and Id like to think that Richs state-
XC fighting. ment helped this.
Daley defines the Elite XC deal as an To rub salt into the wound, it was the
obvious choice for himself, with clear UFC themselves that did this to Rich!
benefits for him going forward, The Such was the furore that in the pre-event
contract is a one-year deal for 3 fights, telephone conference he was forced to
the first of which is in negotiations for clarify exactly what he said, and point
May or July, most likely to be July out that the slice of video was somewhat
because of the state commission over misleading. Its bad enough having your
there and the fact that I will be defend- opponent put his foot in your mouth
ing my Cage Rage British Welterweight without adding your own to it! Methinks
title on the 21st of April. that next time hell be ducking and div-
Daley states that this deal is better ing when it comes to giving us
for him because of the flexibility his such juicy tit-bits.
contract will offer him. Im wonder-
ing if this is less of case of Daley
snubbing the UFC than UFC not
even being interested, especially
since Dana White doesnt
even rate EliteXC as being
anything more than
upstarts.
Dont trust the Paul Daley delivers
media! some punishment
to Sol Gilbert
Rich Franklin has
recently been stung by
the media in that he was
asked in a perfect world,
what would be the perfect
end to the fight against Jason
MacDonald. He replied that
he would like to have a first
round knockout and enjoy
the rest of the evening with
his family. Booyah! As
any fighter should
realise rarely is the
media truly your
friend. Were
like women.
When we love
COMBAT May 2007 Page 15
 Im assuming that the kanji in the middle of

BRUTALLY
the star actually says Ninjutsu as well. Having
the English beneath the logo and kanji is a
spoiler that isnt needed. This just cuts down
on an avenue of conversation Ooooh, like the
t-shirt, what does that mean then? bang goes a

HONEST
perfect ice-breaker.

Jujitsu & Ninja Stars T-Shirts
ed Lizard has quickly come to the
Usability
This is a well-designed t-shirt and is certain-
ly eye-catching. Despite being a style state-
ment t-shirt the design isnt too in-your-face and
it certainly wont offend anyone who looks at it.
By Matthew Sylvester The t-shirt can be worn pretty much any-
where but its definitely not as versatile as the
Aikido, Wado or Tai-Chi t-shirts. This is more
of a wear at home, wear to the dojo or wear
Im not sure what aspect of jujitsu the

R
forefront of t-shirt manufacturing.
Manufacturing their own t-shirts with
high-quality cotton and extra strong
collars, they usually couple this quality with
excellent graphic design.
Jujitsu - The art of
sword dropping
Assembly
None needed.
Build Quality
This is well-made with not a loose piece of
stitching in sight. The printing is great and the
ink is a wonder. Red Lizard have truly become
the Grandmasters of printing and this design just
goes to show the lengths they are prepared to go
to in order to design and manufacture a t-shirt.
Appearance
Black and white with a red-framed image
above the style statement this isnt a subtle t-
shirt in the least and I really dont like it.
The Jujitsu writing uses a modern pseu-
do-Kanji font which is totally at odds with
the classical picture that they have used to
portray Jujitsu.
picture is supposed to portray as it shows a
samurai who appears to have two swords,
one behind his back in a back-hand grip and
the other falling towards the ground (and a
prone opponents face) after he has dropped
it. How this represents Jujitsu I dont know
and I really do think that they should have
used a different image and a different font.
Yuck.
Usability
This shirt is ideal for training in. Aside
from that Im afraid I cant really see where
you would want to wear this.
I really do have a problem with the
design features of this t-shirt and I dont feel
that it honestly captures the spirit of Jujitsu
and because of the amazingly complex
design and modern writing this isnt some-
thing that I would wear out.
Price
You have to hand it to Red Lizard, even
when I dont like their t-shirt I have to like
their prices. 12.99 is a great price for any
type of t-shirt.
Ninja Stars - Surely
theyre banned?
Assembly
None needed.
during training rather than down the street or
at a party etc.
Build Quality
Ultra-heavyweight cotton means that this
is certainly a very comfortable top to wear
indeed. All the stitching is top quality and I
couldnt find any loose stitches or threads.
Having two children under the age of four
means that this has been through multiple wash-
es now, often involving the use of stain removers
and the colours have remained as strong as ever.
The black has done particularly well and
is still as strong as when I first put it on. The
ink that they have used has also proven to
withstand the test of time and toddlers.
Price
At 12.99 this is very reasonable for a good
quality product. I really cant fault Red Lizard
on their prices especially considering how much
youd be expected to pay for a name that pro-
duces t-shirts of exactly the same quality.
So, to be brutally honest what does the t-shirt
score? All ratings are out of 20 giving a maxi-
mum total of 100.
These items are available at www.red-lizard.couk

Appearance
This is another of Red Lizards style t-
shirts and follows their tried and tested formu-
la of logo above style statement.
To capture the spirit of the Ninja theyve
used the weapon that has become synonymous
with Ninjas, the shuriken or throwing star.
This is every Ninjas banned weapon of choice
and it looks great on this t-shirt as Red Lizard
have used their magic silver ink to good effect.
Within the centre is some nice bright red
kanji that has been written using a very rub-
bery and raised ink.
Unfortunately it then says Ninjutsu
beneath that. Now, not being able to read kanji

JUJITSU NINJA STARS

Criteria Score Comments Criteria Score Comments
Ease of assembly 20 None needed. Ease of assembly 20 None needed.
Appearance 10 A strange mix of modern and ancient with Appearance 16 Actually quite cool.
nothing dovetailing.
Build quality 20 Cant fault the quality. Build quality 17 Its Red Lizard, what were you expecting?
Usability 5 The appearance affects this too much. Usability 16 Not an all uses t-shirt but still good.
Price 15 A reasonable price, shame about the design Price 17 12.99 is hardly going to break the bank.
Total 70 This is marmite, you either like it or you dont. Total 86 So its not a must buy but its still good.

COMBAT May 2007 Page 17

MartialArtinMedia
Book of the month
Title: Facing Tyson
Author: Ted A. Kluck
Published by: Mainstream
Publishing
Price: 10.99
ISBN: 978-1-84596-211-1
Available through:
www.mainstreampublishing.com
Format: paperback
Love him or loathe him,
Mike Tyson is the defining
heavyweight for a generation.
At his peak he captured the
imagination of the World and sent shockwaves through the
heavyweight division with his throwback style and devastat-
ing power. Small for a heavyweight, he nevertheless left a
huge legacy, sadly very little of it good.
This book is superb in its simplicity, as it takes fifteen
fighters who have fought Tyson (winners and losers) and
interviews them; nominally to get their thoughts on what it
was like to share the ring with Iron Mike, although some
only shared the ring for under a minute! What emerges is a
fascinating account of life in the hardest game and Kluck
manages to get under the skin of his interviewees, so that
the reader really gets a feeling for the individual character
of each of the boxers questioned.
The fighters range from the one title hope wonders to
the biggest names of all, Evander Holyfield and Lennox
Lewis and Kluck infuses his narrative with a keen eye for
surrounding detail and personal observation, often dry to
the bone humorous but always with an obvious love for
the subject matter.
Talking of which, Tyson is portrayed in a balanced,
sympathetic way, not shying away from his darker side
and the controversy but not simply going for lurid sensa-
tionalism either. The result is a superb book that gets right
to the heart of boxing itself, a genuine insight into an
insular world of pain, in and out of the ring. Lurking in
the shadows of almost every page is Don King, his pres-
ence and influence defined by the fact that as many of the
fighters wont talk about him as will.
Title: Zone Mind, Zone Body
Author: Roy Palmer
Price: 12.99
Published by: Ecademy
ISBN: 1-905823-06-1
Format: Paperback
www.ecademy-press.com
About the Author:
Roy Palmer is a qualified teacher
of the Alexander Technique.
(Alexander discovered the link
between thought and tension in
the body)He is also a runner,
cricket coach and martial artist,
having trained in Shotokan Karate
for twelve years. Roy currently
lives in Bedfordshire with his
wife and two children.
Whats it about?
Everybody has heard the term
being in the zone and here,
Palmer helps the reader understand
exactly what the term means and
how to achieve that state in their
athletic endeavour by harnessing
our mental ability. The result is
improved athletic performance
with, hopefully, less wasted effort.
Whats good about it?
Palmer has a very strong prose
style, which translates well to the
subject matter, giving a sense of
positive affirmation. Reading, the
way he writes, galvanises you into
wanting to take on board his points,
which is the first positive step.
Palmer also uses personal examples
to back up his beliefs, often putting
theory into practical context.
Whats bad about it?
Bad here will be a personal point of
view and what I mean by this is
that what you get out of this book
will relate to how much you appre-
ciate the psychology that now sur-
rounds much sporting activity or
whether you are one of those who
believes it is all ,mumbo jumbo. It
really is as simple as that.
Conclusion:
More and more athletes and coaches
are turning to mental preparation
and psychological study to give them
an edge and with this in mind, Zone
Mind, Zone Body will be a useful
tool, as it is well written, equally
well-structured and, as previously
pointed out, regularly equates prin-
ciples and theories to practical
observations that will strike a chord
with many of us.
BOOKS
Title: The Legend of W.E.
Fairbairn; The Shanghai Years
Author: Peter Robins
Price: 16.99
Published by: CQB Publications
ISBN: 0-9549494-0-4
Format: Hardback
www.cqbpublications.com
About the Author:
As a boisterous teenager in the 1960s,
Peter Robins took up Shotokan
Karate, moving onto Kyokushinkai
and Mushindo before studying his
favourite system Uechi Ryu.
Eventually he started what would be a
passion; that of a restraint system
directly aimed at the UK Police Force
an ambition that remained until his
untimely death in 2003, just before
completing this book.
Whats it about?
This is the true story of the remarkable
William Fairbairn, the most famous
SMP (Shanghai Municipal Police)
Officer until his retirement in 1940.
This book traces Fairbairns early
career, from his youth to his days on
the street in Shanghai, where he worked
to develop the methods and equipment
of the SMP in what was dubbed the
most violent city in the World.
Whats good about it?
This was obviously a subject close
to the authors heart, as the depth of
research here is comprehensive to
say the least. The book works on
two levels-not only as a fascinating
insight into the life of an incredible
character but also as an invaluable
historical document, not least from a
martial arts perspective.
Whats bad about it?
If historical martial literature excites
you-nothing! There is so much on
offer here, historical documents, self-
defence doodles, notes, photographs,
excerpts from self-defence pamphlets
and large transcripts from journals
documenting actual missions, that the
reader really gets a feel for the life
and times of its subject.
Conclusion:
This is a must purchase for both those
who love biographies and serious
martial historians, as real self-defence
and restraint techniques are being
developed and proven in the heat of a
police officers duty and much of what
is taken for granted now is seen
emerging historically in this wonder-
fully researched and remarkable book.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 19
MartialArtinMedia
Title: The Protector
Cert: 15
Price: 16.99
Stars: Jackie Chan
Director: James Glickenhaus
Whats it about?
A routine thriller plot sees Jackie
as New York Cop Danny sent to
Hong Kong to find a kidnapped
DVD of the Month heiress. As they delve deeper into
the case they realise that the kid-
Title: Rocky Balboa napping is the result of a drugs
deal gone wrong in a US/Hong
Cert: 12
Kong heroin trafficking joint
Price: 15.99 operation. Fish out of water in a
Stars: Sylvester Stallone foreign land, Danny and his part-
Director: Sylvester Stallone ner must find the girl, smash the
ring and get out alive.
This was a case of art imi-
Whats good about it?
tating life or vice versa on its Jackie Chan gets to go toe-to toe
theatrical release, as Stallone with Superfoot Bill Wallace in
and his iconic alter-ego cane the films finale and gets a stand-
back from the brink for one out fight sequence in a bordello.
last shot at the titleand A part from this, Glickenhaus
won! Rocky Balboa was both attempts to turn mischievous
a critical and commercial smash and proved a poignant and Jackie into a gun-toting Dirty
perfect full stop to one of cinemas most famous creations, Harry misfires badly and Jackie
the titular Rocky Balboa. simply looks uncomfortable
when hes not doing what he
The franchise is now as worn and weather beaten as its
does best, which is often.
star but that is this films great charm, Stallone knows this
and milks it for all its worth. Once again we have an under- Whats bad about it?
dog scenario and once again it is one we can all relate to- Glickenhaus doesnt know how to
what do you do when society (and Hollywood) thinks you are utilise his star to his full potential,
washed up but you feel that you still have one more great proven by the fact that Jackie
moment of glory left in you. Its a universal truth and brought Bill Wallace back to Hong
Stallone pitches his interpretation to perfection. Kong to reshoot an extended final
What Rocky Balboa does so well is tap into its own fight scene with him for the Asian
insular history and tie it up neatly. Beloved Adrian is dead, release of the movie. Sadly this is
the US cut, so that extended fight
Rocky is washed up and the ageing Stallone fits the persona
isnt on this disc, which is a
like the proverbial care worn glove, acting and directing shame, as Jackies additions are
with heart and a subtleness of touch and tone that has both the best thing in the movie.
impressed and shocked the critics into loving the film.
Stallone is Rocky and he gives his loyal audience everything Conclusion:
they could ask for in a Rocky movie. Glickenhaus achieved some
Overall, the film provides the perfect ending to a roller- notoriety in the 80s for his
coater series and is the ideal book end to the original, now thir- graphically violent exploitation
ty years old. The tension builds inexorably to the climatic fight movies and, as clearly shown
(cleverly getting round the fact that star and character are now here, subtlety is not his strong
point. America didnt know what
sixty) via the obligatory and much-loved training sequence to
to make of Chan before or after
THAT music. Stallone the actor and Rocky the character both this movie and Chan certainly
look for closure in this film and when Rocky stands on those didnt know what to make of
Philly steps one last time, he achieves it and we (metaphorical- America until the Rush Hour
ly) punch the air with him in triumphant celebration of a job movies played to his strengths.
well-done and a series laid beautifully to rest. Yo Rocky! The Protector certainly doesnt.
DVDS
Title: Dead Mans Cards
Cert: 18
Price: tbc
Stars: Paul Barber, Samantha
Janus, Tom Bell, Mark Russell
Director: James Marquand
Whats it about?
A down on his luck boxer, Tom,
is offered a job bouncing on
the door of Billys Bar in
Liverpool. Here he falls under
the wing of Paul, a veteran door-
man and ex-soldier who likes to
see everything run straight but
when a rival door firm start to
muscle in Tom has to decide
whether he wants easy money or
to stand alongside Paul in his
defiance of their boss, Chongi.
Whats good about it?
Paul Barber, more known for his
comedy roles, is superb as the
veteran Paul and gives a power-
house performance. There is a
real gritty feel to the film and the
violence is stark, realistic and
brutally matter of fact. Thai box-
ing champion Mark Russell
plays the villainous Chongi with
commendable subtlety and the
back streets of Liverpool become
a character in their own right.
Whats bad about it?
This is a dark look at a citys
seedy underbelly and may be too
unrelenting in its grimy depic-
tion of a sordid lifestyle. Whilst
the characters are clearly
defined, none arte particularly
likeable and the downbeat nature
of the story does not make for
light viewing or happy endings.
Conclusion:
Overall, this is an accomplished
debut, with strong performances
and hardcore action. British char-
acter actor Tom Bell steals the
show as a Liverpudlian cowboy
and this is the genre that Dead
Mans Cards best reflects, the
elegiac Westerns of Sam
Peckinpah, not a bad point of ref-
erence for your first major feature
and well done to Mark Russell for
diving in at the deep end!
COMBAT May 2007 Page 21
THE Welcome to another instalment
of The Combat Panel. With
the co-operation of the Inter-
national Alliance of Martial Arts
Schools we field more ques-
tions to the instructors.
-
- P
P A
A N
N E
E L
L -
- Malcolm Martin (Editor)

elcome back to this the second part of our most recent Combat Panel, with the co-operation of the
W International Alliance of Martial Arts Schools we field more questions to the instructors. This month
we field questions about self improvement, using their skills for real and when a style becomes your
own. Once again, many thanks to the Combat readers for the questions email in, please keep them coming
(Combat readers can field their own questions to the panel) and email further questions to: england@iao-
mas.com with the heading Combat Panel Question Before we begin, lets re-introduce the panel members...
Gary Hoptroff: Gary has been Taekwon-do, winning a World gold has been developing new plans, Sensei Andy Wright: Andy is back
involved various martial arts which & silver medal in 2000 and taking 7 with a new club and a fresh with us again and has been train-
include Jun Fan Gung Fu /Jeet students to win World Gold medals approach to the classical art as ing in Karate and martial arts for
Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, themselves in 2004, his love lies taught by his SiGung, Augustine over 19 years. He has overcome
Judo and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, Boxing within traditional Ch`ang Hon Fong. He developed the ideas physical disability, gaining his early
and Kick-Boxing, Shaolin Kung Fu, Taekwon-do, teaching the system behind Wing Chun A.S.A.P. grades under the legendary Master
Wing Chun Gung Fu. His instruc- as it was originally perceived, as a (Applicable Science and Enoeda and continuing up to 5th
tors include Guro Rick Faye, Guro military based martial art. Stuart has Philosophy). Sifu Oli is also a quali- dan. In 2001, whilst recovering
David Onuma, Guro Bob Breen, featured many times in `Taekwon- fied massage therapist, with several from a broken leg gained through
BJJ Instructor Jason Davenport and do and Korean Martial Arts` maga- years of medical training, furthering training, he studied holistic thera-
Tuhon Pat OMalley all outstanding zine and was inducted into the his understanding of the human pies (Reflexology and Shiatsu) and
martial artists and instructors. He Combat Hall of Fame in 2003. body. He has followed courses with studied the art of Reiki healing
holds instructorships under Guro www.raynerslanetkd.com the Institute Of Self Actualization to under a Reiki master.
Rick Faye in arts taught at the further understand the human way Understanding their potential in the
Minnesota Kali Group, Guro David Sensei Paul King: Paul is once of acting and reasoning, completing bigger picture, Andy decided to
Onuma in Jun Fan Gung Fu and again our representative for Jujitsu. their Graduate Intensive Training in infuse his base style of Shotokan
Filipino Martial Arts, Tuhon Pat Paul is the Chief Instructor of 2004.Sifu Oli has also been with the art of Reiki, which became
OMalley in Rapid Arnis. Gary Goshin Ryu Kempo Jujitsu, whose involved with various other events known as Reiki Jutsu Kai.
feels he would like to continue aim is a range of quick response, such as small movie productions, www.reikijutsukai.org.uk
and develop in the martial arts for minimum effort, maximum effect charity-based demonstrations and
many years to come and first and techniques, utilising modern forms charity-based self defence courses. Sensei Colin Wee: Colin, from
foremost in his mind is that train- of Kempo and Ju-Jitsu together www.wcasap.com Australia, returns as our guest
ing in the arts is enormous fun and with devastating application of instructor and is the instructor of
a great work out. His main pursuit nerve and pressure point striking Garth Barnard: Garth is our next Hikaru Ryu Gendai Budo in
in the martial arts is JKD and Kali and manipulation. Paul started seri- panel member and is the Chief Western Australia. Trained primar-
but feels what all people must ous training started in 1977 with Instructor of Brackley Freestyle ily by Sensei Bryan Robbins of
realise that no matter what the Master Bob Rose of Ed Parkers Martial Arts Academy, teaching the American Karate and
martial art they all have something Kenpo Karate and has under some KyukTooKi and Combatives. Taekwondo Organisation, Colin is
to offer. He encourages all my stu- of the best instructors around Garth, an ex-door-man, realised in a 4th degree black belt with 23
dents to train with other instructors including Grand Master Ed Parker, a very short space of time that his years of experience in the martial
and attend any seminars that are of Master Bob Rose, Mr Rainer success at national championship arts and previously a national rep-
interest to them to help them grow Shultze, Mr Rick Hughes, Sensei level did not equate to guaranteed resentative and coach in Archery.
in the martial arts and in life. Terry Coughtrey, Sensei Malcolm success on the Door and had to Colin is passionate about the
www.hertsmartialarts.co.uk Keith and Sensei Russell Stukley. learn the hard way, through expe- Chang Hon system of Taekwon
www.kempo-jujitsu.co.uk rience, to become a formidable Do and uses his unique perspec-
Stuart Anslow: Stuart is a 4th dan figure in local Door Supervision. tive to endear himself to thinking
and the instructor of Rayners Lane Sifu Oliver Van Overbeek: Oliver is After 25 years of Martial Arts, martial artists. Colin is passionate
Taekwon-do Academy and author of representing the Wing Chun world. Garth teaches competition sparring about the Chang Hon system of
the book Chang Hon Taekwon-do Sifu Oli has been training in martial and Reality Based Self Defence at Taekwondo, as well as his
Hae Sul. He maintains an open arts since the age of 8, starting with his Academy. Garth has trained renowned women self defence
mind and open heart towards fellow Judo in his native country of under some of the worlds best courses he developed over a 15
arts, students and instructors alike, Holland. Whilst seeking something instructors including Dave Turton, year period,. He also runs The
hence the forming of IAOMAS. new he came across Wing Chun Dennis Martin, Peter Consterdine, Martial Arts Curatoronline forum
Although Stuart has been very suc- and found a new inspiration which Richard Dimitri and Lee Morrison. (http://cwee.proboards29.com).
cessful in the competitive area of he has followed ever since. Sifu Oli www.bfmaa.co.uk www.hikarudojo.com
Oliver Van
Overbeek

Stuart
Gary Hoptroff Anslow Paul King

Page 22 COMBAT May 2007

With the panel introduced lets get onto the questions: Garth Barnard on the
receiving end of some
reality based training

1. Have you ever had to use your martial arts skills in

a life threatening situation; did your art work for
you under such pressure and when using your art
did you have time to consider the legal implications
of reasonable force etc?
ANDY WRIGHT: If you mean have I smacked anyone, then
no is my answer. I have used my art to avoid confrontation
and (touch wood) have been lucky not to have it escalate to
a physical stage. If it did, I am fairly confident that I could
use my art, and walk away from a confrontation rather than
being carried. As for legal stuff, if the idiot is going to attack
me and (by the very nature) puts their hands on me, I wont
have sleepless nights about the consequences! That may
sound arrogant, but lets face it, if I havent talked my way
out of it and the idiot is still after a punch up, I am happy to
oblige, especially when it will be them giving the first attack
by the laying on of hands!

GARTH BARNARD: My first major physical confrontation

came when I started working on the Doors in the early 90s and
to be honest it was pure aggression and determination that got
me through it, rather than the Martial Arts that I already knew.
Up to that point I solely relied upon my kicking ability, but it
soon became apparent that theres a time and a place for kicks,
certainly the high ones anyway! Since then I realised that Self
Defence is 90% mindset and 10% techniques. I had quite a few
physical confrontations when working on the Doors, hundreds
in fact, including 3 edged weapon attacks. Ive also had half a
dozen serious street fights up until now, but with each situa-
tion I used artifice, vehemence and aggression, and came off
best - I dont believe in second place and never have done!
Recently I came to the aid of two females who were being
assaulted by the boyfriend of one of them. The situation turned
very nasty very quickly, with his attentions (aggression) turning
towards me even after attempting to verbally de-escalate the sit-
uation and behaving in a passive manner. Again, artifice, vehe-
mence and aggression got me through it, coupled with simple
gross motor skill strikes, to put the aggressor down long enough
for a safe escape for the two females and I. The legal implica-
tions never entered my mind at any time, as I am a firm believer
that thinking of the legal implications before or during a physi-
cal confrontation can and will impair your effectiveness. I
knew I was in the right, so I did what I had to do, end of!
OLIVER VAN-OVERBEEK: Yes once, it worked fine, I was
amazed of how quickly it was all over. I remember thinking not
to hit at too vital a point, and I didnt, I hit just above one, and
ended what potentially could have been a very bad scenario in
a few seconds. Its not something Im proud of, and still to this
day I consider to have lost that fight, simply because I could
have avoided being there if I would have paid more attention.
PAUL KING: No one wants to use their martial skills in any
real situation, let alone a life threatening one, unfortunately I
Andy
Garth Barnard Wright
have had to. Yes, what I did worked very well, and no you
dont have time to consider legal implications. The situation in
question involved young children at risk, a person with a knife
and someone that had already been cut quite badly. Adrenalin,
self preservation and necessity take over you dont even realise
what you are doing. I still to this day, some two years later, do
not know what I did or how I did it other than there was a situ-
ation and then it was over. The moral is if you want to consider
legal implications, build them into your training and your tech-
niques so that appropriate levels of response are instinctive and
not something to consider when someone is trying to stab you.
STUART ANSLOW: I very rarely talk about the times I have
used my art, mainly because they are terrible times Id rather
forget. Like Paul says, when things this dire happen, you just
move and react, you dont think and luckily Im glad to say Im
still here. I learnt a long time ago not to worry about the legal
things until its all over, as to do so means defeat is imminent.
Though people like Garth have had to put themselves in the
belly of the beast regularly as part of their work, Im just your
normal guy who doesnt like trouble and avoids nasty places,
but even then Ive had to defend myself or loved ones against
attacks, once with a knife (theirs not mine), twice with a group
of attackers/trouble makers one time one of which had a metal
bar as a weapon and I even got car jacked once (many years
ago) and managed to sort that out
and get them out of my car and
myself away and a few other
times which werent so dire! Like I
said, they were all nasty situations
Id rather forget, but in answer to
the question of did my art work -
well the fact Im still here speaks
for itself but I also thing the way
we train it helped as all those
tough training sessions paid off in
Colin Wee the end, not just in body, but in
my mindset as well!
COMBAT May 2007 Page 23
 Stuart Anslow: I like to focus on their eyes, to read intent, though
at first this isnt that easy, with time the eyes give a lot away.
GARY HOPTROFF: Well I have had a street fight or two
and the JKD approach of using what works best at the time
served me just fine. I did not have time to think about legal
implications first. It is about having self control to use the
level of force required.
COLIN WEE: Ive used my skills on several varied occa-
sions, and while not all have been life threatening, I like to
think they were fairly stressful conditions. Of the handful of
stories Im thinking of, there was only one situation where a
fight was brewing where I had the time and wherewithal to
consider legal implications. The aggressor was verbally
abusing a friend of mine - the guy was standing on the sec-
ond floor of this dance club with his back facing the railing.
The problem I faced was if I struck him too hard, he might
flip over the rails. So I thought to aim for his knee and drop
him to the floor, more or less where he was standing. Thats
thoughtfulness, martial arts style.
2. You have trained for many years formed your own
syllabus and teach classes, at what point if ever
does a style become your own?
GARTH BARNARD: What Ive learnt and teach are continu-
ally advancing, improving and changing, hence why I teach a
system as opposed to a style. The only purpose for the system
I teach is that it serves the purpose its meant for, sport and
Self Defence.
ANDY WRIGHT: Two points of view: One, Everyone has their
own style! No matter what the base style, everyone does that
style differently due to body size, weight, ability, flexibility, etc.
When you start a form, it becomes yours. You may do the same
moves as others, but no one else will do it the same as you.
Two, I have formulated reikijutsu as a group of principles
and within those are elements from other styles combining
them in a new way. I had no input in the formulation of those
elements so they do not belong to me, per se; however reiki-
jutsu belongs to me. Styles are just a set of principles put
together by a person who saw those principles working well
together, just look at Shotokan for example. Gichin
Funakoshi had trained a few art forms, took bits from each
and made the result his own.
Page 24 COMBAT May 2007
STUART ANSLOW: Being in a mainstream
system I guess I will never come to that
point. In the main I follow a system laid
down by its founder and have simply fine
tuned it and perhaps added a few elements
due to how I view things should be trained
and what I feel is needed for my students.
Even so, it is still Taekwon-do, it still con-
tains the core elements of the art and at no
point will it ever be renamed as my own
style. I can see others being different, devis-
ing their own forms etc. but I am quite happy
working within the framework I have already.
OLIVER VAN-OVERBEEK: They style never
fully becomes your own I feel. I said once to a
student that one day their Wing Chun would
become their own martial art. I personally
dont believe this now. Ill explain what I do
believe now; I believe that a good martial art
has enough lateral space to suit different
types of people, physical and mental. A good
martial art should allow for different practition-
ers, uniform principles that apply to both
extremes. A complex set of rules that govern
what works and what doesnt for every single
possible practitioner. This would be far more
satisfying that simply assuming a style becomes ones own.
PAUL KING: Following on from what Stuart said, many people
call their style their own but most of these are just variants and
sometime very minor variants on existing systems, styles and syl-
labus. To call it your own style, it would have to be a completely
new way of combat with different principles so at best your style
is borrowed or on loan. You get what you know from somewhere
and there is very little that can be considered new. Man has been
fighting from the year dot and most things have been done
before. What can be considered you own is adaptation, the way
you teach and the image you promote. Simply designing your
own badge is not sufficient to call a system your own.
GARY HOPTROFF: I think it becomes you own once you have
learnt the core basics and develop some fighting attributes. I
notice all the time at my classes that everyone will move,
punch, kick, and throw differently, as we are all different people
with different attributes, abilities and beliefs.
COLIN WEE: My school teaches my system slightly differ-
ent to how my own instructor used to come around it. But my
style was created by General Choi Hong Hi - like Stuart said,
it is the same with me and it will never become my own. My
stamp is the applications I choose and the manner in which I
come about explaining the concepts. Otherwise, Im just
happy to be a small part of a much larger picture.
3. Asouslyan self
instructor how do you ensure you continu-
improve?
PAUL KING: Personally, I continuously revisit all that I have
learnt in the past with a view to better understanding, adapta-
tion and knowledge. I go to, and teach at seminars often, and
exchange ideas and thoughts with many instructors with many
more years experience and much higher levels of skill than
myself and I listen. I train with higher grades from other sys-
tems as often as is possible. I also teach and train with begin-
ners and people with no experience in the style we teach as
often as possible. You can learn a lot from beginners.
ANDY WRIGHT: I see it as my duty to improve. It is a great
insult and a bad role model to the student to just get a grade,
start teaching and not bother with your own training/self
improvement. My 1st instructor was like that; never trained,
never attended association courses, never improved; in fact stu-
dents overtook him in the areas of fitness and knowledge. I am
embarrassed to say that even some of my own black belts have
had the attitude we dont need to train, now were teaching,
contrary to my own ideals, which I thought Id passed on!
GARY HOPTROFF: This is a personal thing for me the desire
to get better for me and my students cause you will always
have room to improve. The moment you stop training and think
you know it all is when students start walking out of your club.
COLIN WEE: There is more than one dimension to continu-
ously improve, isnt there? To improve combat effectiveness,
we have to pressure test ourselves with varied scenarios. To
improve instructional ability, we have to vary training methods
and assess results. To improve knowledge, we have to apply
traditional theory whilst seeing what other people are doing
through videos and seminars. I think the biggest thing that dri-
ves me to improve is to ask whether my style remains valid to
our current needs. Coming up with this question and attempt-
ing to answer it has been one of the major turning points in my
martial arts career. I would like to state that Im trying my best.
no ego involved helps a great deal, you think about what oth-
ers use as material, and how they present and justify it. It
might not be the same stuff, but the concepts still stand. I per-
sonally stay in contact with some local instructors to have
occasional chats about things, this helps as well I find.
That concludes another months Combat Panel` with some
great questions from the regular readers of Combat
(keep those questions coming and dont be shy about
what you ask, as all is relevant!), invoking some interest-
ing, thought provoking (as well as the usual frank)
answers. As normal, well leave you with a quote related
to this months discussion.
You must be deadly serious in training. When I
say that, I do not mean that you should be rea-
sonably diligent or moderately in earnest. I
mean that your opponent must always be pre-
sent in your mind, whether you sit or stand or
walk or raise your arms.
- Gichen Funakoshis first rule for the study of Karate-do

STUART ANSLOW: I still train as often (and regularly) as pos-

sible at other clubs to try and maintain fitness levels, sparring
skills etc. as well as learn new things from my system for my
current level. I also re-examine all Ive done before as you can
probably tell by the book I released last year, though this isnt
just in the area of pat-
terns but all areas relat-
ed to my training, my system
and my school. By re-examining what
we do, we see new things and improve that
way, and this benefits everyone. I guess in a way
as I dont have to follow a large association syllabus Im
lucky to be able to implement things fairly easily and on a
regular basis, for example, my schools seniors now do
mainly Traditional Sparring that incorporates grabs,
throws and takedowns as well as strikes, which apart
from being enjoyable, is much more practical as it
relates more to fighting than standard competition spar-
ring and as they improve at this, I too improve, as they
keep me on my toes now, so I have no choice but to
improve! Coupled with all this, I remain open minded and
listen to other teachers and instructors (especially from
IAOMAS) and when they have a good idea, I may incorpo-
rate that into my school and train that way too, which
allows another area of improvement.

GARTH BARNARD: Im constantly setting myself

goals, some achievable, some not, but at least Ive got
something to constantly aim for, which I need to function
from day to day, thats just me. Right now I want to gain
as much knowledge in the Self Protection and Self
Defence field as possible by training with the top flight
Self protection and Self Defence instructors in the country.
A lot of what they teach is easy to learn, easy to apply and
easy to teach, which is exactly what Im looking for.

OLIVER VAN-OVERBEEK: Being open and honest

with your students, by not holding them back, by
aiming to get them to be better than you.
Welcome constructive feedback, so you can
spend the little time you have to train for
yourself as effectively as possible. Paul King gets taken by sur-
prise by one of his students
Shouldnt it be every instructors aim to and the photographer!!!
have their students surpass them?
Also things like mixed seminars with
COMBAT May 2007 Page 25
MARK
RUSSELL
From Muay Thai to the movies
M
ark Russell is no stranger to the
pages of Combat, due to his
career as a Thai Boxing World
Champion. Known for his sculp-
tured physique, explosive power and dynam-
ic style, Mark was also the perfect ambas-
sador for the sort, articulate and lucid in
interviews, he showed the world that fighters
could also be intelligent and stylish. It was this
mix of aggression in the ring (that took him to
World level) and intelligence out of it that
saw Mark secure the sponsors that were to
eventually lead him to a leading role in the
British thriller Dead Mans Cards, which had
a cinematic release last year and is available
on DVD this month.
Dead Mans Cards is a British thriller
about a washed up boxer Tom, who gets a
job working the door in a sleazy club
alongside veteran doorman Paul. When the
head of a rival security firm, Chongi
Talking about the possibility of a second film with James Marquand,
Mark says The script has been written, Ernestos read it and hes
happy, Ive read it and Im happy and we believe that it will take the
Page 28 COMBAT May 2007
(Russell) wants to take over, Paul resists and
Tom must decide which side he is going to
take as a war looms.
Through his sponsors participation on
Dead Mans Cards on a production level,
Mark was initially down to play a more tradi-
tional fighters role in the films central fight
but when a lead actor pulled out shortly
before production, the producers, impressed
with the way Mark carried himself, offered
him the role. My sponsors Chongi who
were initially in corporate re-branding and are
now venturing into urban street-wear clothing,
have commissioned a highly respected artist to
do their designs. Their backing has helped me
to realise my goals in the past and will do for
the future, as the company will also be one of
the main sponsors for the next movie.
At first Mark believed it was a small part,
a feeling the producers did nothing to dis-
courage but as Mark read the script he
martial art genre to
another level.
realised that Chongi appeared more and
more and was one of the two main villains of
the piece . From that point onwards, Mark
had to get into the mind of Chongi. We
decided to play Chongi as a subtle villain as
opposed to an in your face type. So I had to
picture individuals Id met along the way,
doormen that Id come across and picture
how they carried themselves. I wanted to por-
tray his dangerous side but show that he is
going into the business world now.
Mark is known as a confident individual,
so he knew he could handle the role but even
he was not prepared for certain elements of
film-making, namely the amount of takes
needed from various angles, to give the editor
the maximum to work with. This requires a
great deal of concentration, as continuity is
key, take after take. Then there is the time
needed for actual set-ups, lights, cameras etc,
that all take away from the glamour of movie-
making when you are cold and tired. We
were under the Runcorn bridge at three in the
morning and it was cold, it was wet and we
were all wrapped up in two coats. You do a
scene, wrap yourself up to keep warm and
then go do it all from a different angle.
Many martial artists obviously want to
get into the movies to do the fight scenes
but Mark will tell you that these are often
the hardest scenes to film. The main fight
scene was shot at a shipyard, for authentic-
ity, on concrete floors that retain the cold.
It was the longest day you could imagine.
The fight scene lasted maybe two, three
minutes onscreen but to perform it was an
all-day shoot. Marks brother was one of
the fighters, his friends were crowd extras
and none of them were prepared for how
long filming would take. Motivation was a
problem when the extras were often stand-
ing around for up to eight hours and Mark
did his best to keep them entertained.
Despite all this, he admits that there is
I believe you make your own
luck; its down to hard graft
and tenacity and Im a very
tenacious person. Obviously
there are a lot of rough edges
that need ironing out but the
potentials there hopefully.

something magical about the movies - It is a
hard industry but it is also magical to see
yourself on a big screen. Its amazing.
Films are rarely shot in sequence and
although Mark was on the production from
start to finish, it can be a baffling process and
actors often have to hope that the film has
Title:
Label:
Release date:
Certificate:
Director:
Stars:
Dead Man's Cards
Showbox Home Entertainment
23rd April 2007
18
James Marquand
Paul Barber, James McMartin,
Samantha Janus, Mark Russell
and Tom Bell

turned out right when it is screened for them

the very first time. You can never visualise the
finished article until you see it. Luckily for
Mark, the film lived up to his aspirations and
seeing the final cut was amazing and you can
see which scenes I filmed first, where I
improved and where I became relaxed.
Similarly, certain things that might not have
seemed to make sense filming all fall into
place. Ultimately you have to put your trust in
the director and follow his lead.
In acting terms, Mark was surrounded by
some very good professionals; not least Paul
Barber and the character acting legend Tom
Bell, in what was to be his last screen role
and Mark had nothing but respect for his co-
stars and their attitude. I was very lucky to
be sure. Barber is best known for comedy
roles, such as Only Fools and Horses and
The Full Monty but here he plays a tough,
grizzled doorman to perfection. Luckily the
director realised Pauls versatility and thats
why he was determined to get him because
he knew Paul had more to his bag of tricks
than just being a comedic actor.
Behind the scenes, Mark found Paul to
be totally laid-back and helped Mark think
about camera angles, looking relaxed, getting
into character - he gave me all the time in
the world. So did the rest of the cast, as
Mark points out that nobody is foolproof

when it comes to delivering their lines,
although he adds that he only fluffed his on
about two occasions. When mistakes were

I am ambitious
made the camaraderie was so good that we
helped each other out.
The we included one of the great charac-
ter actors, Tom Bell, and Mark shares a key
dramatic scene with him towards the end of

and I always like

the film and also learned from him, amazed at
the way he could switch immediately into
character (Billy the Cowboy) when required.
Marks confidence was given a boost when

to set myself goals!

Tom said to director James Marquand, Jim, I
think youve found a bit of a rough diamond
here. He couldnt believe it was my first film
and I thought wow, this is Tom Bell talking
here. A lot of people have said that the scene
COMBAT May 2007 Page 29
 It was the longest day you
could imagine. The fight scene
lasted maybe two, three min-
utes onscreen but to perform
it was an all-day shoot.

me, he forced me to raise my game.

when Mark goes into the toilets and puts a gun
to Toms head is their favourite in the film and
the way Tom played it brought the best out of

Mark acknowledges that he made mis-

takes and is on a sharp learning curve with
regard to his acting and is currently taking
acting classes, adding that while its said that
theres nowhere to hide in the ring, theres
also nowhere to hide your limitations from
the camera. Similarly, the fight scenes were
also a learning curve, as Mark, normally a
professional fighter, had to learn to actually
show pain, rather than hide it, as he normally
did in the ring. That was difficult. I had to
reverse my psychology and show pain. I had
to show I was being hurt by a hammer.
There was also pressure on the director
James Marquand to deliver a good film, as his
father is legendary director Richard Marquand,
director of Return of the Jedi and Jagged
Edge. Despite this, Jim was very laid back
and Mark credits this attitude with helping him
get through his baptism of fire, especially as
he had heard horror stories of what certain
directors can be like to work with. If it had
been a different environment I dont know how
I would have taken it but Jim likes feedback,
hes not one of these my way is the only way
directors. He was very understanding and that
helped me in my first feature.
Marks first feature was fortunate in that it
received a solid theatrical release before
moving onto DVD but Mark is adamant that
it wont be his last, as he studies and learns
from, the whole industry. For me, its a long
road and I do feel like a contender again but I
believe you make your own luck; its down to
hard graft and tenacity and Im a very tena-
cious person. Obviously there are a lot of
rough edges that need ironing out but the
potentials there hopefully.
There is preliminary talk of a second film
with James Marquand, more martial arts orien-
tated but Mark is cautious when he discusses
the potential for an action feature lead role. He
admits though that his friend, Ernesto Hoost, is
in talks to make the film with him. Mark took
Ernesto to a screening of Dead Mans Cards,
which he really liked and as he was coming to
the end of his fight career, the movies seemed
a logical next step. The script has been writ-
ten, Ernestos read it and hes happy, Ive read it
and Im happy and we believe that it will take
the martial art genre to another level.
Combat wishes Mark all the best with
his film career and Dead Mans Cards is
reviewed in this issue. www.chongi.co.uk.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 31

Name of establishment:
Johnsons Karate Centre
Address:
NAC, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire
Run By: Masters Tony Johnson and
Rachel Griffiths-Johnson
Years Established: 1 year at the
present location - 29 previously.
Services offered:
Tang Soo Do, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Sun
Do, Kumdo, Fitness
Opening times:
Mon: 6am to 6pm
Tuesday: 6am - 9.30pm
Wednesday: 6am to 9pm
Thursday: 6am to 1pm
Friday: 6am to 9.30
Saturday: 6am to 9.30
Sunday: 10am to 7pm
Membership Fees:
Pay as you go rates for lessons
Numbers training: 450+
Notes: The Masters have been training
for 53 years between them, and have
travelled the world to train with various
Masters and styles in order to improve
and enhance their training and that of
their students.
Parking:
Limited parking at the front and back.
Personal Philosophy:
To be the best they can.
Combat Comments
This is an excellent facility set in a lovely
and slightly unusual setting. Aside from a
fully matted training area, there is also a
balcony providing views over the NAC,
which has been set aside for quite time and
learning. Downstairs they have a perfectly
adequate Gym with weight machines and
free weights as well as a changing room.
There is also a fully equipped kitchen.
Club
Taking on full-time premises is a big step, not
least because of the costs and commitment
required to keep it in tip-top condition. Tony
had been teaching in and out of various
schools halls and sports centres full-time
Page 32 COMBAT May 2007
CLUB PROFILE
Johnsons Karate Centre
since 1978, and it was only up until May
2006 that he was able to take on a dojang.
Tony and Rachel had been looking
around for a long time, taking into consid-
eration a good location. Obviously if youre
talking about a commercial venture, then
you need to study the area population etc,
and then go for whats best for that.
In our case we did all that, looked
around various sites Tony explains, but
we didnt find one that sort of clicked.
When we saw this place we knew straight
away, it just clicked. It just had that feel
about it.
Rachel agrees saying, Its just like find-
ing a new home. You get a feel for a certain
house and thats it.
The Johnsons Dojang is certainly not
best located for commercial purposes,
being on the NAC, but Tony explains
why this is, It defies logic, especially this
place as you know. Its certainly not eco-
nomically located because theres no-one
living around here but, as we discussed
before, the prime concern was to get
somewhere that was a little more presti-
gious than an industrial estate on the
edge of a town somewhere, or indeed in
a town. I think if youre going to site the
Shaolin Temple somewhere its not going
to be in an industrial site you put it
somewhere nice. This is a lovely environ-
ment which is what we wanted.
Enthusiasm. They see our
enthusiasm. Theres always
something new to practice,
something new coming up.
Its about keeping that level
of excitement going. Above all
classes have to be exciting
enough to bring people back.
Most martial arts instructors will admit
that theyve considered going full-time at
some point or other, doing what they love
for a living but obviously there is a catalyst
which turns that idea into fact. In Tonys
case It was the fact we needed a base as
our student body was growing and growing
and we needed somewhere that was repre-
sentative of what we were, we needed a
base and we needed somewhere that the
students could go to and be proud of and
say thats our capital if you like.
And there was certainly a need for a
proper dojang as there are four hundred
and seventy five students training at the
dojang, with nearly a thousand students in
total under the Johnsons Karate banner.
This includes the people that do the Tai
Chi, meditation courses and all that sort of
thing. We go for a holistic approach.
Clubs face a constant struggle for sur-
vival with the average drop out rate being
around the ten percent mark per month.
Attracting new students is obviously very
important but retention is the key factor.
Tony agrees and explains how they retain
their students, Enthusiasm. They see our
enthusiasm. Theres always something new
to practice, something new coming up. Its
about keeping that level of excitement
going. Above all classes have to be exciting
enough to bring people back.
Rachel points out that I think its
important that they see that youre still
learning as well. So the black belt isnt per-
ceived as the end goal. You have to be
inspirational.
As youll see in other articles, Tony
and Rachel strive to be inspirational and
positive role models for their students
and instructors. Tony takes it as far as
anyone Ive met, Our classes start here
at 6am. Anne-Marie and various others
that youve met will come to those class-
es. However when they come, theyll find
me in the gym covered in sweat as Ive
been here since 5am. The reason Im here
is because its the only time I get to train
as the kids are all asleep.
Its important that they see Im here
working out. My goal is to get back into
shape, its important for them to see that Im
trying. Im not trying to get fit so that people
can say hes fit for a guy his age I want to
be fit for anybodys age. Thats the beauty of
martial arts in general. Its not about a cut off
point at 30 and then youre a coach, you
carry on all your life. My inspiration is the
old Masters from Okinawa and China who in
their 80s were still working out.
With such an example its no surprise
that their students dedicate their lives to
studying under the Johnsons. Tony was
kind enough to explain how they recruit
new students.
Best is word of mouth. Our students
are the best ambassadors for that. They do
a great job. They tell their friends, anyone
who will listen. We also do a lot of leaflet-
ing, the usual stuff.
Rachel agrees, pointing out that, We
also get invited into schools a lot.
Thats the latest thing were doing. mean the end of the martial arts as we
Tony confirms, We contact schools, prima-
ry, junior, whatever and ask if we can
attend an assembly and give a martial arts
demonstration. We did fourteen school
demonstrations in the last two weeks with
demonstrations in the morning and after-
noon. One day with did three, one at 9am,
one at 10am and one at 3pm. Theyre very
simple demonstrations with a talk covering
what are martial arts, what theyre for etc between martial arts and the
and then have questions from the children
and teachers. We did that at one school, St.
Augustines, and Anne-Marie, who previ-
ously had four students then gained another
thirty. Its continued to grow since then.
If kids can make the link between mar-
tial arts and the reality, the discipline, the
control, the health benefits, how you can
avoid living a bad lifestyle it means that we
get more students. It also backs up every-
thing the schools are teaching them.
Its a sad fact that in the U.K. martial
arts are often taught in a very amateur,
under-sold and under-priced manner in
dingy and often unsuitable halls. Many
instructors still believe that making a living
or charging a decent price for passing on
the skills you have learnt is a very bad
thing indeed, and that commercialism will
held it back, thats why if you asked Joe
know them. Many of these same instruc-
tors will criticise those that go full-time and
I asked why Tony thought this might be
and whether he had faced such criticism
when he went full-time.
If kids can make the link
reality, the discipline, the
control, the health benefits,
how you can avoid living a
bad lifestyle it means that we
get more students. It also
backs up everything the
schools are teaching them.
Yes. Its based on envy. Its not that
people object to the way youre doing
things or making money out of the martial
arts. Theres absolutely nothing wrong with
doing that so long as youre making people
happy and giving a good service.
Amateurism in martial arts in general has
Ordinary on the street anything about the
martial arts hed still have the same percep-
tion perhaps as he did thirty years ago. The
first martial arts club opened in London in
1868, a Jujitsu club, and people are as
ignorant about martial arts now as they
were then. Thats because of amateurism. I
think that if a more professional approach
was taken, not just in making money but in
promoting the art to the public, I think it
would be completely different. Thirty years
ago I dreamt of having martial arts taught in
schools, being a prestige activity. It is in
Korea and China, over there its highly
respected and its most likely the same in
Japan (not having been there I cant say for
sure) but in this country martial arts to the
general public are next to the fringe activi-
ties like ferret juggling or some damn thing.
The public is really ill-informed for one
thing, not very popular and never likely to
be so. We have to get the respect of people
who will never actually train and theyll
pass on the respect to people who will.
Local Authorities, Councils etc are all what
we need to be working on.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 33
 RENER
G R A C an
I
on
E
ly win!
If you dont lose, you c
H
ere in Europe, we dont hear much about the man responsible for bringing Gracie
Jiu Jitsu to the masses - Rorion Gracie. As Helios oldest son, and the first man to
bring his fathers Jiu Jitsu to the US, Rorion created the UFC to showcase his fami-
lies talents. Rorions two older sons, Rener & Ryron have been training since they were
babies and teach classes every day at the Gracie Academy in Los Angeles and Rener
took time out of his busy schedule to give this fascinating in- depth interview.
COMBAT: What are your thoughts on Jiu Jitsu in terms of very hard to prepare for both of those, and thats where the worlds
its direction and focus? going right now. So our goal is to hopefully to push the whole world
back to the origin of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and to the roots of using this
RENER GRACIE: I think that if you look at the history of martial arts, stuff for the right reason in preparing the best way to ensure that all
youll see that they were once utilised for the battlefield and for self the people that need it the most are benefiting in the best way.
defence - to save lives. No martial art was ever invented to become
a sport, but it happened because so many people practiced it, and COMBAT: You mentioned your grandfather, Helio. Can you tell us
they wanted to differentiate amongst the practitioners, as to who the most important thing your grandfather has taught you?
was the most athletic, in the best shape, and most prepared in the
sport. As a result they began creating organisations that set up com- RENER GRACIE: The fact that the only reasonable and reliable way
petitions and set up competition rules. These rules would constrain to defeat a larger and stronger opponent is to defend yourself and
the participants so much that they wouldnt be allowed to use all focus on avoiding defeat, that way your opponent can use as much
the techniques and all the benefits of the art, so competition nar- energy and explosiveness attacking you as they want but all theyre
rowed down the martial arts - tkd, karate, kung fu, kickboxing, to doing is exerting energy and better setting you up as the eventual
very point/rule oriented games rather than actual self- defence and winner when they give you the opportunity. So if you dont lose,
real street fighting. you can only win. This has been one of the best lessons, and it has
Jiu Jitsu as refined by my grandfather over 80 years ago was stuck with me until today.
designed specifically for him to defend himself against a larger
stronger attacker. So he modified it, made it work for him and his COMBAT: Do you still get guys coming into the academy and
mindset was 100% street self- defence. In taking up The Gracie Challenge?

the late 50s/early 60s the Jiu Jitsu feder-
ation in Brazil was established. Their goal
was to make it more of a sportive prac-
tice. So they wanted to go precisely
where we wouldnt have gone, and that
in my opinion is where the transforma-
tion took place where the art became
more sportive, less focused on self-
defence. As a result now, most of the BJJ
clubs that exist are so focused on prepar-
ing their students for competition that
theyre actually moving away from the
essence of jiu- jitsu.
The problem is that the strategies and
RENER GRACIE: Yeah - there are still
Youve got to understand some guys that come in that are so
convinced of the effectiveness of their
the most important art, whatever it may be - Korean Kick
boxing, kickboxing, TKD - mostly strik-
techniques very well ing martial arts. They see the UFC, the
before moving on. TV shows, they see the hype but
theyre still convinced that they can get
Learning a little on a lot that perfect knockout punch. But, as
of techniques is no good, weve been proving for 80 years,
although its possible, the likelihood of
you need to learn a lot on the knockout punch happening against
our strategy is so low that were willing
a few good techniques.

techniques that go into preparing some-
one for competition are so different that
you cant really prepare for both, as both
are so different and so demanding that youve got to choose where
your focus will be, as to focus on one is to neglect the other one. Its
to take that risk every time.
Its not that were punch proof, its just
that were very aware of the punch and
we do everything we can to avoid the knockout. Lets say that they
have a less than 3% chance of getting that perfect punch in that split

Page 34 COMBAT May 2007

second, where all we have to do is protect the face, get into the
clinch and then the fights over. They often dont believe its that
simple so well fight them once, theyll usually be confused, and
normally ask to fight again. Sometimes it takes two or three times
before they realise that theyre not going to knock anybody out, so
those are always a lot of fun and a good test of what really works.

COMBAT: As someone who has been in challenge matches

since you were 17, is there any key element that you

I think the most important thing for
a student to get real effectiveness
in a short period of time is to
identify which techniques theyre
learning are really useful in a
believe has helped you in your fights?
street fight. So no matter where
RENER GRACIE: As I said - defence first. My mindset isnt one of
having to dominate everyone I fight, but it is one of being invincible
you train, look at the technique,
and never losing to anybody - my minds saying you cant beat me and ask yourself if its real, if it is,
no matter what. Thats what I think before a tournament., thats
focus on mastering it early on.

what I think before a real fight, I just think I cant get hit, I cant
lose, I can only win. Although Ive been beaten by points by some
very tough competitors Ive never been submitted. Im not going to
go crazy and do something for a point or two and get submitted in
the process. I try to keep my strategy the entire time, I dont expose
myself in risky positions, or do anything foolish, or give the oppo-
nent a chance to submit me. This strategy has worked for both me
and my brother Ryron - I dont think hes been submitted either.

COMBAT: What do you think of the current crop of MMA

fighters?
RENER GRACIE: I think the current MMA fighters are very good -
its hard to measure now because theyre all doing the same thing.
Theyre all explosive, theyre all Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing and wrestling,
you know and because of the 5 minute rounds, none of them have
a chance to show their true colours because by the end of the
round theyre gassed, they get a rest, then go out and do it again.
Its more of a demonstration of athleticism, explosiveness and
power rather than technique because theyre getting so little time to
get their work in. I think having longer rounds or not having a
time limit tests you. It tests your character much more than

COMBAT May 2007 Page 35


Rener teaching
at a recent seminar
relying on a five minute clock. You can gas in six minutes, but under
the current UFC rules you can get away with it.
So its hard to measure these days, fighters come and go, as
theres not time for the better fighter to shine. Even a tough guy
with minimal technique can go crazy in there for 5 minutes.
COMBAT: Theres been talk of you and your brothers doing
MMA. Can you tell us if anything is in the pipeline?
RENER GRACIE: Yeah - there isnt anything signed right now, but if
it does happen, itll probably be in an organisation in Japan or
somewhere where they can allow a little bit longer rounds, you
know. We want to let them tire out, but its hard to do that in a
short period of time. So ten minutes its a better amount of time, so
you can get them to the ground, let them tire a bit and then submit
them towards the end of the round.
COMBAT: So you prefer the Pride rules?
RENER GRACIE: Yeah - I prefer Pride or something similar - theres
always new events popping up now as MMAs growing, so really any
event that will have longer rounds, thatll allow us to apply the
Gracie Jiu Jitsu strategy rather than explosiveness and aggressiveness
will be good. Weve always taught our students to relax, be patient,
and to use technique so they can fight over longer periods.
COMBAT: And this is the thinking behind your tournament
rules?
RENER GRACIE: Sure - when we did our tournament we said if
were going to have a tournament, well have to set it up so they sex or strength. 2 - The course needed to be able to be taught in the
cant rely on the clock. If guys will be
able to get a couple of points, then hold
on for five minutes then we cant guar-
antee that the better guy will win. But if My mindset isnt one of
we make it a very long time limit and we
make the fighters earn their victory, then
having to dominate
its far more likely to bring out the best everyone I fight, but it is
in everybody and make sure that the
better man always wins. So the tourna- one of being invincible and
ments have been very successful, theres
never been a match in any of the tour-
never losing to anybody -
naments where one of the competitors my minds saying you cant
lost but felt he was better that day. If you
beat me no matter what.
won, you either submitted the opponent
within the 30 minute round, or you
accumulated 12 points.
COMBAT: As someone who teaches about three hundred
students a week, what would you say is the key to being
as good at Jiu Jitsu as you can possibly be?
Page 36 COMBAT May 2007
The laughing Gracie brothers!
L to R: Ralek, Ryron & Rener
RENER GRACIE: I think the most important thing for a student to
get real effectiveness in a short period of time is to identify which
techniques theyre learning are really useful in a street fight. So no
matter where you train, look at the technique, and ask yourself if
its real, if it is, focus on mastering it early on. Dont worry about
learning a lot of techniques okay, focus on learning the most
important techniques very well, very soon. Thats what were
doing here with the combatives programme. Give the students the
techniques they need most for survival, focus a lot on those and
make sure they understand them 100%, and everything will land
beautifully on that foundation.
Youve got to understand the most important techniques very
well before moving on. Learning a little on a lot of techniques is no
good, you need to learn a lot on a few good techniques. The prob-
lem is many academies show so little of this that you end up with-
out a lot of useful technique - more sportive, more competition,
more things that are good for points or a short round, but often rely-
ing on the gi. Youve got to be selective as to what you take in
because either its real, or its what you just do because your
instructors showing you. So focus on what counts, and learn it well.
COMBAT: You mentioned a combatives programme what
can you tell us about it?
RENER GRACIE: After Gracie Jiu Jitsu became world famous
because of the UFC, the US military contacted my father requesting
that he develop a course for the soldiers, and after a few years of
testing and development, he came up with a course that met two
specific requirements. 1 - A course of techniques that can be
learned and executed effectively by all soldiers, regardless of weight,
shortest amount of time, they didnt have
years to spend with the soldiers training
Jiu Jitsu to get ready for combat.
So the result was the Gracie
Combatives. What we did is we essential-
ly took all of the hundreds of techniques
of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, we looked at all of
them and worked out which ones would
somebody would have to learn to guaran-
tee survival, that they couldnt live with-
out, and that were easy to learn. We
came up with 34 techniques out of all of
them and now the US army has officially
adopted the Gracie Combatives. All new
recruits are required to go through the
hours of hand-to-hand combat training
and the Gracie Combatives is the foundation of that training, which
is a huge honour for us because now we get to travel to different
military bases, teach the instructors of each battalion or unit, and
they then teach the thousands of recruits underneath them.
 Now weve realised that this course is so useful that we decided
to make this our initial training course that all new students at our
academy go through to make sure that their earliest months in Jiu
Jitsu are spent perfecting the techniques that theyre most likely to
use, and that are going to save their lives. So if the new students
here in LA only had 3 months to train with us we needed to know
that those 3 months were spent learning the techniques that were
going to save their lives. We couldnt have them training for months
of years learning a whole bunch of gibberish techniques that they
may or may not use. So this Gracie Combatives course has done
wonders for us and for our students because all the initial focus is
spent on techniques that without a doubt are going to change their
lives so were really trying to find a way to spread this programme
out to the masses, and hopefully itll make it to the UK.
COMBAT: One final question - what are your plans for the
future?
RENER GRACIE: What I feel is happening is that the purpose of
the Gracie family is a 3 stage mission that we need to fulfil, the
first stage being the development of Gracie Jiu Jitsu which was
essentially handled by my grandfather in the early 1930s. My
grandfathers purpose in this whole thing was to develop Gracie Jiu
Jitsu and no-one could have done it like him because he was so
small and frail that he developed it in such a way that enabled
anyone to do it and be effective with it.
The second stage of the mission here is to educate the masses as
to the necessity of the art - to enable the smaller, weaker person to
defeat a larger stronger opponent, regularly, with proper technique.
So the people need to know that the art exists, and that stage was
met by my father when he created the UFC and then Royce
demonstrated the effectiveness of Jiu Jitsu against larger stronger
opponents and showed the world that there is something for the
average person to do to defend themselves.
So of course, the third stage is to teach the world the art. The
problem is that Gracie Jiu Jitsu hasnt been put together in a format
that is readily available around the world, so one of the current
goals is an amazing strategy to make this available to everybody in a
structured form that will change the lives of everyone who sees it.
So thats the goal - until we can get this in the hands of every-
body who needs it, the mission isnt accomplished. So Ryron, my
father, myself are always looking for ways to spread this because
teaching in the academy here in LA is good, but we have a very lim-
ited exposure. Teaching the military was a huge step, because we
teach the instructors, and they teach the other instructors, but how
were going to make it available in every household in every country
is the next mission. So we have a strategy as to how were going to
do that, all will be revealed in the near future, so stay tuned.

Neither Rener
or his brother
Ryron (right)
have ever been
submitted in
competition!

COMBAT May 2007 Page 37

RETURN OF
THE DRAGO
Don The Dragon Wilson returns to Britain
I
n the world of professional kickboxing,
few can match the achievements of
Florida born Don The Dragon Wilson,
who has beaten the best in a career
that saw him capture multiple World
titles and become a genuine legend of the
sport. Most American kickboxing
champions came from a Karate back-
ground but Don originally trained in
Dragon style (pail um) Kung Fu and
started kickboxing in 1974, deter- I love MMA! It is the sport
mined to prove that kung fu practi-
tioners could genuinely fight. What
made Wilson special was the fact that
form of martial arts competition
he would fight out of his comfort
zone, travelling the World to accept
challenges and not worrying which
governing body was sanctioning the
compete. Unfortunately, it came
fight. He is still in incredible shape for
his latest movie, The Last Sentinel
(more about that below) and admits
that it is because he couldnt think of
not living healthily. I stay in shape because it
is my way of life. I would not feel comfort-
able living any other way. I love running,
going to the gym, eating right, sparring, etc.
For Wilson, Kickboxing was not about
winning World titles rather it was about per-
Page 40 COMBAT May 2007
sonal improvement. For me, kickboxing was a
sport, which enhanced my martial arts capabil-
ities. My World Titles were not the ultimate
goal. Improving as a martial artist was my
intent from the beginning. With this in mind,
he sees a definite difference between kickbox-
for which I was born to
too late in my fight career!
ing in the 1970s and today but not necessari-
ly for the better. Whilst he accepts that com-
mercially the sport has developed and the
fighters are being paid more, he worries about
the actual standards. In 1974 when I fought
my first pro fight, all the top fighters were also
high ranking black belts and successful tourna-
ment competitors. Today, an athlete walks in
the gym, and, begins training directly in kick-
boxing. This phenomenon produces fighters,
but not the same level martial artists.
By contrast, seasoned black belt Wilson
wanted to genuinely test his ability,
thus he even fought under Thai rules
in Thailand, when most contempo-
raries would have baulked at risking
their reputations in such a way. But
that was The Dragon, accepting chal-
lenges, putting his reputation on the
line and often fighting as the perceived
underdog. Although, I lost a decision
in Bangkok, it was fun trying out differ-
ent rules and fighting a top Thai com-
petitor. I did lose 8 pounds the day of
the fight, but, that is all part of the
game. Again, Don points out that he
was less worried about his reputation
when he fought and more concerned
with where he was as a martial artist. While
many felt I was risking my reputation fighting
in Bangkok, I had no pressure, as, I was fighting
my 2nd fight under those rules. If my oppo-
nent wanted to compete in WKA, or PKA rules
it would have been an easy victory.
Remember, I fought to improve my martial arts
ability, not to win titles or enhance my ego.
That said, in a glittering career The Dragon
has had many memorable fights, travelling the
World and challenging the best and when asked
about personal favourite memories, a number
spring instantly to mind. Fighting Branco Cikatic
and getting a 7th round KO was great because I
had two broken hands and no one thought I
could win under those conditions. Beating
Dennis Alexio on NBC Wide World of Sports and
the draw with Jean Yves Theriault in Montreal,
were a couple of highlights in 1984. I also
defeated Attapong Fanta in Hong Kong, in a
Muay Thai match, September of the same year.
Black Belt Magazine named me Fighter of the
Year for those wins.
Wilson is philosophical when asked why it
is that fighters only seem to get the recogni-
tion they deserve once they have retired, giv-
ing a measured, mature answer that has the
ring of truth. It is common for athletes to be
more respected many years after their careers
N!
for Seni

They used to say

Kung Fu guys cant fight...
Now they dont... COMBAT May 2007 Page 41
 Don with co-star Katee Sackhoff, best
known for her roll as Kara Thrace aka
Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica

are over. While one is active, your faults are
more obvious, but, once you quit, your entire
career and accomplishments can be examined
in a more objective manner. Only then, are
there no political considerations to cloud a
truly objective opinion. I fought as a mid-
dleweight, lightheavyweight, cruiserweight, etc.
I competed in many hometowns and against
many name opponents under the various
rules of the times. After meeting thousands of
movie fans, asking if, I really do my own fight
scenes I wanted to show I was for real, not,
like Van Damme. I won more than I
than proved his credentials as a fighter, win-
ning an incredible 11 World Titles, in 3 differ-
ent weight classes under 6 different sanction-
ing organizations. He was world champion for
11 straight years, defeating 12 other world
champions, 12 number-one contenders and
15 National champions on four continents.
Big name scalps included legendary figures
such as Dennis Alexio and Maurice Smith,
pro-boxers James Warring and Art Jimmerson
and he fought Jean Yves Theriault to a draw.
Of his 72 wins, 48 came by way of KO, 6 by
Between his retirement in 1991 and his
return eight years later, Wilson built up a for-
midable career as an action star, suggested by
a conversation with his friend Chuck Norris,
that continues to this day. After a spell on the
daytime soap General Hospital Wilson audi-
tioned for legendary independent film maker
Roger Corman, who had discovered both Jack
Nicholson and Robert De Niro. The result
was Bloodfist, that proved such a phenome-
nal video hit that it spawned seven sequels
and starring roles in over 24 movies since,
including the highly popular Ring of

lost... That is my personal legacy.
72 wins 5 losses 2 draws...48 wins
by KO...Guiness Book of World
Records for most kickboxing titles
Kickboxing and boxing may see
the burgeoning MMA scene as a
threat but not The Dragon, in fact,
Wilson believes that he was born to
fight under MMA rules. I love
Fire series of films.
Dons latest project is The Last
For me, kickboxing was a sport, which Sentinel, a sci-fi actioneer set in an
all too plausible near future, along-
enhanced my martial arts capabilities. side big movie veteran Keith David
My World Titles were not the ultimate and Katee Sackhoff, best known for
the hit tv series Battlestar Galactica
goal. Improving as a martial artist and more recently the theatrical
release White Noise 2. When
was my intent from the beginning.

MMA! It is the sport form of mar-
tial arts competition for which I was
born to compete. Unfortunately, it
came too late in my fight career. I have tried
to fight in the UFC, King of the Cage, etc. but,
it seems the deal was never right for me or
the promoters. I was a wrestler in college
before my kickboxing career, and, the only
sport I feel natural is grappling. Warming to
the theme, Don is one of those who believe
that MMA is also the safer option, as a sport.
MMA is safer than kickboxing or boxing as,
there is less brain damage, and, that is the
true tragedy of the fight game.
By the time he retired, Don had more
kick KO and after an eight year break he
made a two fight comeback in 1999, picking
up the IKF Cruiserweight World title by stop-
ping Dick Kimber in 3 rounds and adding the
ISKA North American Cruiserweight title with
a decision over Dewey Cooper. When asked
why he came out of retirement in 1999, The
Dragon is very candid, stating I fought my
first pro fight in 1974 and would fight tonight
if they have cash. I have already retired 3
times...a fighter or mercenary is not done until
they quit paying.
pressed, Don is very excited about
his latest film project- My agent,
Ray Cavaleri, also represents several
talented directors. He introduced me to
Jesse Johnson, and, I had an immediate, posi-
tive, gut feeling about working with him. I
watched one of his films, and, read the script,
The Last Sentinel. It was a sympathetic
story of survival. I have done several science
fiction action films, and, am a fan of the
genre. Martial arts and sci-fi are a good
mix...Matrix, Star Wars, etc. Jesse demon-
strated a visceral, gritty, in your face, style
when it came to action of all kinds. Since,
he also wrote the screenplay, I knew he had a
better grasp of the story and relationships
than anyone else. I have heard from several

DON WILSON Filmography friends and industry professionals, that, this is

The Last Sentinel (2006) Night Hunter (1996) Bloodfist V Human Target (1994)
Soft Target (2006) Virtual Combat (1996) Out for Blood (1993)
Sci-Fighter (2004) Bloodfist VIII Trained to Kill (1996) Ring of Fire 2 Blood and Steel (1993)
Stealing Harvard (2002) Cyber-Tracker 2 (1995) Bloodfist IV Die Trying (1992)
Redemption (2002) Bloodfist VII Manhunt (1995) Blackbelt (1992)
Moving Target (2000) Batman Forever (1995) Bloodfist 3 Forced to Fight (1992)
The Prophet (1999) Ring of Fire 3 Lionstrike (1995) Ring of Fire (1991)
Whatever it Takes (1999) Bloodfist VI Ground Zero (1995) Future Kick (1991)
Inferno (1998) Terminal Rush (1995) Bloodfist 2 (1990)
Hollywood Safari (1997) Cyber Tracker (1994) Bloodfist (1989)
Papertrail (1997) Red Sun Rising (1994) Say Anything (1989)
Page 42 COMBAT May 2007
my best film. It was a privilege and honour
to work with Jesse, and, he more than sur-
passed my expectations.
Don is not simply your action star, happy
to sit in his trailer between scenes, rather he
takes an active interest in all levels of produc-
tion, a trait he picked up from his mentor, the
legendary Roger Corman. I have co-produced
many of my films. Occasionally, I will also take
a producer credit, but, in all my films, I always
put my mark in some way. When your name
appears above the title, the fans blame or credit
you with the entire film, not just the acting.
Roger Corman advised me to assume more
responsibility beginning with my third film.
When we discuss his own films, Don
admits that the movie making process has
evolved since he started in 1988. Then the
films were predominately about the fight action.
Simple revenge stories, with lots of shirts off
fighting, dominated the genre. Now, Don
believes that martial arts films have evolved,
and, the plots, story, acting performances, as
well as, music and other production values are
on a par with all the other types of film. That
said, his personal favourite amongst his own
films is Ring of Fire 3, Lionstrike, because my
real son played my film characters son. He
was 5 years old and did an excellent job.
On a sadder note, long-time close friend
Chris Penn died not long after working together
with Don and it is a loss that The Dragon still
feels deeply. Chris was my son Jonathans
Godfather, and, he was my best friend. I was
one of the last people to speak to him based on
phone records. We lived together, trained
together, worked, acted, vacationed, partied,
etc. I loved him and suffer on a daily basis
because of his loss. He died while I was shoot-
ing Sentinel, and, the last credit in the film is a
dedication in honour of him.
A movie veteran of twenty years, Don still
has a boyish enthusiasm for the industry and is
always looking to improve - I still have aspira-
tions to continue to improve on the quality of
my films. Bigger budgets, better scripts; it is all
about improving the quality of the product. He
also believes that the martial art film will not die
out, citing the emergence of new stars, such as
Tony Jaa. As to his own legacy, Don, once again,
is modest and philosophical. The most any
actor can hope for is to do their best and make
their own personal mark on the industry.
The legend that is Don Wilson will be at
Seni 07 at the excel, taking a highly anticipated
kickboxing seminar and presenting The Last
Sentinel at the Seni film festival, whilst also tak-
ing the opportunity to meet and greet his many
fans across the weekend. I have discussed
coming to the Seni in the past, but, my schedule
did not allow me to attend. Now, because of
the timing and Pauls generous help with pro-
moting my films, I will try to make it a regular
trip for the Dragon. Dont miss this opportu-
nity to meet a genuine Kickboxing great, who
has also successfully transferred his talents to
Hollywood stardom. Having met him, I can also
say that he is one of the nicest stars you could
wish to meet and a great reason to be at Seni
07, THE Combat Sports Show.

COMBAT May 2007 Page 43

 Filipino Martial Arts,
Sports & Culture
By Keith
Gilliland
Contributors:
Grandmaster Danny Guba,
Grandmaster Diony Canete
B
alintawak (or Balintawak Eskrima) is
a style of Filipino martial art devel-
oped by the late Venancio
Anciong Bacon in the 1950s from side of Cebu City. He learned eskrima in the
earlier Filipino styles such as Doce Pares. It
is named for Cebus Balintawak Self Defense
Club (taking its name from its location on a
street named Balintawak Street), where it was
originally taught. The Club was in the back of
a watch repair shop on Balintawak Street.
Early development
In the early 1900s, the Spaniards had
just left the Philippines, ending their 300
year rule. In their place, came the
Americans. The vanguard elite of Cebu still
spoke Spanish, while the Americans began
to pacify and teach the rest of the
Filipinos American English and culture. It
was during this time that Venancio Bacon
was born into, a nation in the midst of
change and upheaval. He was born in
Carcar, Cebu, but grew up in San Nicolas
Town outside of Ciudad de Cebu, which at
that time was populated by Cebus elite
upper class. This elite class was made up of
Europeans, Americans, Chinese and mestizo
Filipinos. In contrast, San Nicolas was com-
posed of local Cebuanos and immigrants
from neighboring towns, or from other
islands in the Visayas. The people who lived
in San Nicolas were farmers, carpenters,
fishermen, peasants, cargadors and the ser-
vants for the City of Cebus upper class.
Golden Age
The 1950s and 1960s saw the Golden
Age of eskrima in Cebu. Eskrimadors from
various camps, mainly the two already men-
tioned, tested each others skills in all out
challenges. These resulted in injuries and
sometimes deaths. Some were under honor-
able circumstances, while others treacher-
ous. Vincente Inting Carin of Doce Pares
found himself attacked by multiple assailants,
Page 46 COMBAT May 2006
Balintawak Style
incurring various injuries, while doubly recip-
rocating lethal injuries on to his attackers.
Delfin Lopez was knifed from behind, plac-
ing him in a small lot in Calamba Cemetery.
Venancio Bacon was ambushed in the dark
while walking to his home in Labangon. He
killed his assailant. It was during this time
that legends were made and skills were test-
ed. The survivors of this short lived era have
accepted their place in history.
Venancio Bacon
Born in 1912, Venancio Anciong Bacon
would later become one of the Philippines
legendary and most influential eskrimadors
in history. He was born in Carcar, Cebu, and
moved later to San Nicolas Town, just out-
bolically actualize the title Doce Pares, which
1920s as a teenager. His evolution as an
eskrimador began in San Nicolas. This jour-
ney would later lead him to death matches,
attacks, and eventually to jail. But, not all of
this journey was dismal. Along the way,
Venancio Bacon made life long friends, and
cultivated a loyal cadre of students, who to
this day maintain an affinity incomparable
towards him. Venancio Bacons legacy,
Balintawak, has become a title synonymous
to Deadly. Balintawak eskrima is Economy,
Elegance, Strength, and Speed expertly
woven into one art form. This is the story of
Great Grandmaster Venancio Bacon and the
account of his legacy.
Standing at 5 feet, 2 inches tall and
weighting no more that 120 pounds,
Venancio Bacon was a very unassuming man.
He was a veteran of a great many death
matches in Cebu. Described by many of his
students as lightning fast, Venancio Bacon
maneuvered through a fight smoothly while
exploiting his opponents balance and coordi-
nation. He was known to be very surgical
with a stick, able to employ varying force to
his exact targets throughout his adversarys
body. But, his greatest virtue and asset was his
constant desire to innovate and improve his
art, diligently discovering techniques through
the years, never ceasing in this path. He
taught his art to those who desired to learn it.
Training
Venancio Bacon began training in the art
of eskrima in the 1920s. His only teacher
was Lorenzo Ensong Saavedra, of San
Nicolas, who during this time had estab-
lished the historic Labangon Fencing Club.
At a time when many different styles of
eskrima abound, Lorenzo Saavedras was
called the Corto Linear, although he was
also known to have mastered other styles.
His best students would be Teodoro
Doring Saavedra, his nephew, and
Venancio Bacon. The two were also very
close friends. Both matured into great eskri-
madors, improving each others skills and
answering challenge matches that came as a
result of their newly acquired titles. The
Labangon Fencing Club eventually dissipat-
ed into oblivion, giving way to a new organi-
zation borne out of its ashes.
Doce Pares influence
In 1933, the Doce Pares Club was
formed. Headed by Lorenzo Saavedra, the
club was composed of three Saavedra eskri-
madors and nine from the Canete family. This
composed the original twelve needed to sym-
was named in honor of the frenchman who
befriended and shared his combat techniques
with Lorenzo Saavedra in jail, and symbolized
the 12 Peers of France/Doce Pares sa Francia
- the knights or paladins of King
Charlemagne. Venancio Bacon was among
the first members in the club. Although there
were certain personalities in the club which
ran counter to Venancio Bacons own person-
ality, he stayed and carried his weight as one
of its representing eskrimadors.
World War 2
World War II broke out in the 1940s.
With the onset of Japanese occupation,
many eskrimadors became guerilla fighters,
employing their art for the defense of their
nation. It was during this time that, Teodoro
Saavedra died at the hands of Japanese sol-
dier-executioners.
Long after the War, in 1952, Venancio
Bacon established the club now known as
Balintawak. He finally had enough of the
personal bickerings and internal politics of
the Doce Pares club. Along with Vincente
Inting Atillo, Delfin Lopez, Jesus Cui,
Timoteo Timor Maranga, Lorenzo
Gonzales, Isidro Bardilas, Andres Olaibar,
and a few others, Venancio Bacon began a
new club. The newly formed club started
training in the backyard of a watch shop
owned by Eduardo Baculi, one of Venancio
Bacons students. This shop was located in a
small side street in Colon, called Balintawak
Street. The significance of the name
Balintawak evoked the three virtues of
strength, courage, and honor befitting that
of the new club. So, from that day forth the
word Balintawak would forever be inter-
twined with the name Venancio Bacon and
to the style of eskrima which has proven its
calculated violence effective time and again.

Venancios students
Among his very first students was Delfin
Lopez, a Cebu icon in his own right. He was
a tough cop, a strike breaker, enforcer, and a
womanizer. Delfin Lopez was already an
experienced fighter when he met Venancio
Bacon, but he saw something in the small
man. Mr. Lopez stood at 5 feet, 10 inches,
muscular, easily towering over the diminutive
Venancio Bacon. Testing his strength in a
light, friendly match with Venancio Bacon,
Delfin Lopez soon realized the sad reality of
his skills as a fighter. The two men with sin-
gle sticks faced off, Mr. Lopez took the offen-
sive and rushed towards his opponent only
to be disarmed and tripped. Having received
multiple lashes to his body, Delfin Lopez laid
on the ground, beneath the shadow of
Venancio Bacon. The fight only took a few
seconds, but for Mr. Lopez, Venancio Bacon
had just won over another loyal student.
Return from prison
Venancio Bacon was paroled from prison
in the mid-1970s. When he returned to Cebu,
he continued to check up on students, making
sure the quality of Balintawak was still up to
his standards since he left it. Mr. Bacon regu-
larly attended training sessions conducted by
Jose Villasin and Teofilo Velez. It was here that
Venancio Bacon saw a glimpse of the next
generation of Balintawak fighters. He was satis-
fied. Venancio Bacon knew that his old stu-
dents, Arnulfo Mongcal, Jose Villasin, Teodoro
Buot, Teofilo Velez, and a few others would
carry on the name Balintawak and produce
high caliber eskrimadors for years to come. A
few years after, Venancio Bacon died leaving
behind a legacy now known around the world.
Curriculum
Balintawak teaches principally single
stick fencing, in a dueling format.
Sometimes a small second stick is used to
simulate a dagger. Anciong Bacon devel-
oped single stick techniques, as during his
work outs and training with other members
of the Doces Pares Club before WWII, he
would stab people with his wooden training
dagger. Some say his dagger was taken from
him by Saavedra, while others say he was
simply asked not to train with it. Either way
Bacon developed and optimized his tech-
niques based upon single stick work.
Notable practitioners
Many Balintawak eskrimadors have
carved their names in the walls of history,
forever etched in the halls of time. Some of
the more illustrious of these fighters were
Timoteo Timor Maranga, Arnulfo Mongcal,
Jose Villasin, Teodoro Teddy Buot, and
Teofilo Velez. They were also the men who
would later be responsible for introducing
Balintawak to the rest of the world.
Since the early 1950s, Balintawak has
consistently produced Eskrimadors of the
highest caliber. Some say it is because of the
type of students who tend to gravitate to this
style. Some would say that it is because of
the streamlined instruction which directs the
student to a straight path of training and
understanding, forsaking everything useless.
Others say it is both. Venancio Bacon has
trained some of the best Eskrimadors in the
Philippines. The two most prolific teachers,
as well as fighters, of Balintawak were Jose
Villasin and Teofilo Velez.
Some of the better-known current
instructors are Sam Buot, Ted Buot, Bobby
Tabimina, Nick Elizar, Chito & Eddite Velez,
Henry Jayme and Bobby Taboada.

also in the process of preparing their counter attack. As we have

Espada Y Daga - The Basics said the student will be in one range but will have two weapons
at his or hers disposal.
ne of the areas of training in FMA (Filipino Martial

O Arts) is that of Espada Y Daga also known as Olisi Y

Barow, stick & Knife/Dagger. This area gives the stu-
dent a challenge to train with a long and short weapon.
Footwork is an integral part of the application, as you have
to be effective with both weapons at different ranges.
The basic footwork patterns for the student include;
Abante - Advance
Atras - Retreat
Atras Abante Seguidas - series of advances and retreats
Palihay - Lateral
When the student first begins to learn the Espada Y Daga Lakang Padilin As - step and slide
they start off in a static state and co ordinate the arm move-
ments. The first movements contain defence as well as attack. In the picture sequence Grand Master Danny Guba and Master
When the student blocks, parries an incoming attack the are Keith Gilliland show a basic Espada Y Daga drill.
a. Both fighters strike on angle 1
(a) (b) b. GM Guba prepares to use his Daga
c. GM Guba stabs to the body
d. Then hits opponents arm with his Olisi
e. And follows up with a stab to the body

GM Guba and Master Gilliland are

available for seminars, private training
etc. If you would like to learn Filipino
Martial Arts please contact us at:
info@martialartsunlimited.net T:01926
330698 M:078868 26392

(c) (d) (e)

COMBAT May 2006 Page 47

BRUCE LEE
Jeet Kune Do memorabilia special!
n June 2006 I visited the world
I famous IMB academy in Los
Angeles run by Grandmaster
Richard Bustillo, student and per-
sonal friend of Bruce Lee. As soon
as you walk through the door of the IMB
into the reception area its obvious you
are in a very special place. The reception
area walls are covered in many varied
awards and magazine front covers from
all around the world. I however was
immediately drawn to an entire wall
devoted to the memory of Bruce Lee.
The IMB is very proud of her JKD/Bruce
Lee history and there is nowhere inside
the academy that does not have the spir-
itual presence, in one form or another,
of the founder of Jeet Kune Do. Visiting
the academy for the first time was a very
emotional experience for me. I was
there for a weeks training with sifu
Bustillo and was very honoured when
my sifu gave me a guided tour of the
academy and brought some very person-
al mementoes and keepsakes from his
home for me to have a look at. I thought
I would share this experience with the
readers of Combat.
Photo A shows Richard in the IMB
reception area, the centre photograph is
a copy of a signed photo given to
Photo A
Page 48 COMBAT May 2007
Richard by his sifu and reads - To my
student Richard, keep blasting, Bruce
Lee. The original has pride of place at
Richards home. Photo B shows Richard
with his collection of original JKD busi-
ness cards including one of Bruce Lees
very rare and much sought after black
cards. Included in this collection are Dan
Inosanto and Richards cards from the
mid-70s. In photo C Richard proudly
shows Mic Clark a painting of Bruce
from the Lee family home in Hong
Kong. This was given to Richard by
Linda Lee when the family moved back
to LA shortly after Bruces death. This is
one of Richards most prized possessions.
Moving into the main training hall you
are immediately stuck by the oil painting
of Bruce Lee who seems to be casting a
watchful eye over the academy and all
that train there. This is an original portrait
and again, was given to Richard as a gift
by Linda Lee. The portrait is now a world
famous image and has been a part of the
IMB academy for over 30 years. Photo D
shows Richard standing proudly under
the shadow of the Dragon. Also in the
main training hall is another memorial to
Richards friend and sifu, in photo E
Richard shows us his copy of the now
famous My definite chief aim statement
By Mic Clark
Photographs by Curt Harvey
made by Bruce before he went on to
achieve worldwide success.
At the academy Richard has lovingly
kept several pieces of Bruce Lees origi-
nal training equipment, amazingly these
pieces of martial arts history are still
available for students to train on. In
photo F Richard demonstrates and
explains to Mic how to use Bruces hand
grip developer made by James Lee. In
photo G Richard gives Mic a detailed
demonstration on how to use the one
inch punch training device as originally
used by Bruce, Dan Inosanto and
Richard at the Chinatown school.
In photo H Mic gets the chance to
work his sidekick on Bruce Lees iron
kicking machine, again designed and
developed for Bruce by James Lee.
Photo I shows Richard with a replica
of the heavy bag given to Bruce by Bob
Wall. The original is located at the
Inosanto academy.
Photos J & K an original copy of the
Chinese Gung Fu Book, personally
signed by the author - priceless.
I was with Bruce in his library and he
said, Richard do you have my book yet? -
I said no but Im gonna get it, well, heres
my last copy, no Bruce you keep your
copy and Ill get one. Too late Richard,
youre my friend, have this one, he auto-
graphed the book for me - To Richard,
simplicity is the end of art, the beginning
of nature, my best always - Bruce Lee.
When he signed his name I thought
holy shit that was fancy script. Then
Bruce asked me to sign my name, so I
signed my name very small, very minute,
and Bruce told me this means you are
an introvert, you are humble and inse-
cure, you have to express yourself. No
one will pat you on the back and do it for
you, so I changed my handwriting and
made it really fancy, almost like Bruces.
Years later there was an opening for me
in a move to management at Continental
Airlines where I used to work. So I
applied for the job, I made the last three
for selection and the other two guys were
much more experienced than me, when I
got the job ahead of the other guys I
asked why me? And I was told that the
Photo B Photo C Photo D

Photo E Photo F

Photo G Photo H

Photo I Photo J Photo K

COMBAT May 2007 Page 49

senior vice president liked my signature.
All because of Bruce. I thanked Bruce
Lees spirit when I got that job.
In photographs L M & N Richard
shows Mo Teague and Mic Clark his per-
sonal membership cards, rank book,
training fee receipt and an original copy
of the Oakland branch JKD student hand
book. The membership card is personal-
ly signed by Bruce Lee and Dan
Inosanto. Nowhere in the academy can
Photo L
Photo N
Photo P
you not see or feel the influence of
Richard Bustillos sifu and good friend
Bruce Lee, in photo O Mic reflects on
some very profound JKD philosophy.
From here at the IMB academy I
hope to pass on the knowledge that
Bruce Lee, Dan Inosanto, gave to me in
Jeet Kune Do, and pass it on to Mo
Teague, Mic Clark, 2nd generation
instructors, so we can carry on with
Bruce Lees good work.
Photo M
Photo O
Photo Q
Photo P, Jeet Kune Dos Iron Dragon
- Richard Bustillo.
Photo Q, A highlight for me is seeing
people like Mo Teague and Mic Clark
continuing with Bruce Lees way through
me, through themselves. We keep planti-
ng the seeds and we grow very fruitful,
and hopefully their students will look at
Bruce Lees art and still produce.
Photo R - Your inspiration continues to
guide us towards our personal liberation.
Photo R
COMBAT May 2007 Page 51
ACHIEVING
KICKING POWER!
pplying maximum power is long as you can. Martial Artists know ters by kicking a target will be very

A almost like science, any pro-

fessional fighter can tell you
this. A boxer might argue that
kicking is not that important and
fists are all that count. But consider this:
The RANGE of a kicking leg is much
longer than that of an arm. Every boxer
this position as Side Kick. Kicking on
shields in a martial arts class or on a
punching bag will give you more leg
power too. In our CKD classes we also
incorporate focus-pad kicking in order to
achieve not just power but targeting /
focus too. The resistance the leg encoun-
helpful to improve your leg techniques.
Try the above exercises. Im sure you
will find them very helpful in your train-
ing for kicking power!
If you wish to know more about the
author Ralph Allison of CKD Martial
Arts go to www.blackbeltschoolsuk.com
will tell you that longer arms (meaning:
longer range) is of some importance and
can sometimes be critical in a confronta-
tion. Because of that range-advantage a
good kicker can stop an opponent on the
street before he has the chance to get
close to you with his fists.
Another thing to consider is that leg
muscles are naturally more powerful
than arm muscles (just compare the size
of a thigh to that of a bicep). This means
that a kick can be much more devastat-
ing - if used in the right way.
The problem with kicking is that leg
flexibility is normally not as good as arm
flexibility. Flexibility means speed. And
speed is crucial if you want to be on top
of a nasty situation. The reason for the
lack of range of motion (ROM) in the
legs is that we only use them for walking
or running. This puts a very low demand
on muscle and tendon elasticity in sharp
contrast to the arms, which have to move
about everywhere, grabbing things etc.
from early childhood onwards.
If we train our leg muscles and ten-
dons to elongate in order to achieve a
better ROM then kicking can be a most
powerful weapon. In my Choi Kwang
Do (CKD) Martial Arts classes I let my
students do a good stretch before we
begin with our main class activities. A
good stretch for example is a box-split or
side-stretch (sitting down and stretching
ones legs apart to gain flexibility).
As your muscles and tendons elon-
gate it will be easier to do the low kicks
too. The speed acquired in this way will
give your kicks more POWER! Because
speed is power also - just look at a small
bullet doing damage ONLY because the
speed it generates.
Leg muscles can be made stronger
by the following exercise: Hold on to a
chair, leave one leg on the floor and
raise the other one up until its vertical
to the ground. Hold in this position as
Article by Ralph Allison
COMBAT May 2007 Page 53
 ANTHONY
AURELIUS
Biomechanics are the way to go!
nthony Aurelius is a regular
A columnist in Combat, but has
recently taken the plunge and
produced a DVD on a subject
close to his heart, biomechanics and
how they should be applied to the
martial arts. Producing a DVD is a big
step to take, and opens a person to a
much larger audience than they might
previously of had (obviously there are
big merits and demerits involved in
this), and theres usually a catalyst
behind the decision. I brought out the
DVD because the discovery channel
released a video with Mike Chat on it,
saying that it utilised body mechanics
when it didnt. It was very high budget
and flash, but didnt employ biome-
chanics. I learnt biomechanics about
three years ago, and can honestly say
Page 54 COMBAT May 2007
that it has changed my life. I realised
that what I had been learning hadnt
been furthering my ability as a martial
artist. We should all question why we
do things the way we do, especially
when it comes to striking. If you do this,
what youll end up with are the tech-
niques on this DVD.
Anthony is obviously enthusiastic
and keen to push the benefits. The
DVD is fairly educational but also
explosive, because the techniques
demonstrated are the most powerful pos-
sible using the human body. The tech-
niques all use body weight transfer to
add power and forward motion. For
someone who has been doing tourna-
ment or traditional martial arts, this is
going to be absolutely extraordinary,
and I feel its essential for MMA, as well
as being intrinsically healthier than any
other method of striking.
These are bold statements indeed,
and he is certainly throwing down the
gauntlet. Biomechanics within the mar-
tial arts are designed so that martial
artists can generate the maximum possi-
ble force with their body, and transfer
this force into their strikes. When per-
formed to the air and not to a target they
are also healthier. The main reason for
the latter fact is that the techniques are
not fully extended, and nor are they arti-
ficially halted (which can cause prob-
lems as well). All of the techniques are
demonstrated by a Master of biomechan-
ics with Anthony saying, The biome-
chanical master is 64 years old and
weighs 8 stone and he delivers tech-
niques with shocking power.
Playing the devils advocate, I asked
how all of the supposed benefits were
actually tested. We actually had people
training the method. Anthony
explained, The reverse punch was test-
ed against martial arts techniques, using
a kinematic test with independent scien-
tists. This was a blind research method.
The scientists who performed it found
that the reverse punch was four hundred
percent stronger than the traditional
reverse punch! This used four black belts
who were all of roughly the same height
and same weight. The majority of mar-
tial artists, including Jet Li and Van
Damme are riding a bike when they
should be driving a Ferrari. This is
because theyre both following tradition-
al techniques.
Anthony is clear in his message that
the DVD is for all types of people.
Everyone from the beginner through to
the Master will have something to learn.
The content is fantastic. Hopefully this
will spark more ideas and better tech-
niques, and if it does we want to know!
There are only 14 movements which
weve analysed against many other tech-
niques. We could have put in more, but
we didnt want an overly-long DVD.
Having used his own company, Raising
Awareness Productions, to produce X-
Factor, Anthony is keen to expand on
the range and already has a second DVD
planned. The second DVD were
releasing is very high budget, in the
realm of 70,000. We have an animator,
a top class cameraman, in fact the whole
crew is top class. It will revolutionise the
martial arts which is fantastic. Ive
learnt so much in the last three years
since I started studying biomechanics. If
I hadnt done this Id still be doing what
I was for ten years previously. This may
The biomechanical master
is 64 years old and
weighs 8 stone and he
delivers techniques with
shocking power.
well be sold to the Discovery Channel,
and were hoping to get this out to 52
countries through various TV channels.
Were actually going to have a different
voice over per country.
These are big plans indeed, and if the
X-Factor has the impact Anthony
expects then the second DVD is going to
have an even bigger impact. It certainly
seems that there are exciting times ahead
for Anthony and Raising Awareness
Productions.
X-Factor retails at 24.95, but
Combat readers can purchase it for
19.95 using the special coupons.
For more details about Raising
Awareness Productions, please go to
www.raisingawarenessproductions.com.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 55
THE YOUNG MASTERS OF TEAM FOX
Challenge Every Martial
Artist on The Planet!
ast month Combat caught up with Master Neil Axe founder of BBC2s Masters Of Combat TV series and

L he told us that he has big plans over the coming twelve months, with his America Quest 2008 venture.
This month we profile the stars of the show; four intrepid young men that are aiming to repeat Neil and
his teams feat of 1988 and cycle some 3,300 miles from New Yorks Statue of Liberty on the USAs
East Coast, all the way across an entire continent to Californias Hollywood on the American West
Coast. The Young Masters of Team Fox will not only be covering 100 miles per day for 33 days, but they are
also hoping that the worlds martial arts community will take up their challenge to compete against them at
the end of each days epic journey and help raise money for charity whilst they are at it.
The four lads who are all based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire are Dale Axe (17), Ryan Axe (22), Byron
Graham (25) & Gregg Oliver (26); here Combat proudly presents you with the world exclusive of their first
ever national media interview (something we predict will be just the start of many for them).
COMBAT: Guys can you please explain to our readers a lit- COMBAT: Am I right in saying that at the moment youre all
tle bit more about what it is exactly that youre planning doing the training for this event on top of having to work
to do? For example could you tell us who was it that first a full day to?
came up with this idea, & more importantly why didnt
you tell them they were a bit mad? GREGG: Yeah, thats right; so please help rescue me from
the Tescos freezer room as soon as possible (laughing).
RYAN: The original concept of the America Quest goes back
to 1988 and was my father Neils idea, but this 2008 Quest is DALE: Some proper sponsors, other than my dad, would be
largely down to my younger brother Dale... and yes weve nice, so we can do the preparation for this properly, thats for
all told him hes mad; but then luckily so are we! sure.

COMBAT: So what is it about the America Quest that actually
made you guys want to try to re-stage it all these years later?
BYRON: Its a family tradition and Ive told my dad Michael
that if he could do it, then we can do it too; only better than he
did it, coz were all better looking!
COMBAT: Now be honest lads, whose taken charge, who
is the bossy one of the group, is there a Team Fox cap-
tain?
BYRON: That would be Ryan at the moment, but were all
taking it in turns, to see who the best man for the job is.

COMBAT: I understand that, like the original 1988 Quest,
this event also has a charitable side to it; can you tell us
what that is?
GREGG: Were hoping to raise funds to help Mr. Axe found
Britains first ever national victims of crime and anti-bullying
centre. If my bosses at Tesco dont mind me having the time
off work that is; in fact they could even sponsor our team if
they like, we wouldnt stop them.
COMBAT: Why, in particular, do you guys want to help with
victim of crime and anti-bullying issues?
DALE: Ryan and I both lost our aunty Sue to violent crime in
1993 and anyone whos watched Big Brother knows just why
bullying has got to be stopped.
COMBAT: How long have you chaps been preparing for this?
BYRON: Hey, weve been training all our lives for this!
RYAN: It feels like it, but its only been 12 months, so far!
Page 56 COMBAT May 2007
COMBAT: I understand that youve had to take a break
over Christmas / New Year because your martial arts
venue has a seriously leaking roof?
RYAN: Thats true; weve lost a couple of months to a soak-
ing wet floor and the fact that our building has no heating in it
at all!
COMBAT: It must be really hard to keep motivated if your
training facilitys roof is leaking and you are freezing cold
too?
DALE: Yeah it was, but luckily weve sorted some member-
ships for our local Harpers Gym for now and a good friend of
my dad (JKDs Escrima World title winner; Neil McCleod)
has kindly offered us somewhere thats dry, and isnt like a
freezer compartment, to train in, free of charge.
COMBAT: Some of our readers may have read about you
already on the internet (the boys have already been fea-
tured on Americas TKD Times site) has that coverage
bought you any offers of help?
GREGG: Were very grateful to have had loads of positive
feedback; from both local people offering to try and get us
national media exposure, through to an American instructor
who emailed Mr. Axe to say he too would like to help us set
things up in the U.S.
COMBAT: Maybe you could tell our Combat readership of
any other help that might prove useful to your team?
GREGG: The main thing is for big associations, no matter
what their style, getting behind the idea of sponsoring a team
of their own to take up our challenge and for individual mar-
tial artists to start making this a viral campaign by emailing
details of our plans to their martial art friends around the plan-
et, so as to help get them onboard too.
RYAN: Alongside all of the martial arts community getting
behind this event, wed also really appreciate it, if we could
get some serious financial help to turn professional, so we can
train full-time; as we desperately need one of the big martial
arts or sports companies to jump onboard. Up until recently,
my dad has been covering the entire events staging costs out
of his own pocket!
COMBAT: Byron, your younger brother Nathan is a pretty
well known up and coming professional boxer and your
Dad Michael was a member of the 1988 America Quest
team, what do they make of you being on Team Fox?
BYRON: Well apart from my brother thinks I should at least
have a bike to practice on before I go (the lads all use one stat-
ic one between them at the moment), my Dad just keeps say-
ing Dont you let Mr. Axe convince you its okay to sleep in
a tent by the side of the American Freeways like they did!
COMBAT: Have the guys from the original team of 1988
given you any other good advice for your 2008 trip?
BYRON: Yeah, to keep cycling, or theyll nick your bike.
DALE: If you have got a bike for them to nick that is!
COMBAT: Now youre all martial arts champions, but are
you chaps at all nervous about the dangers you might
face out on the mean streets of America?
GREGG: Thats why were called Team Fox, we know every-
ones going to be chasing us, and as you cant block a bullet
with a front kick, well just have to live by our wits.
COMBAT: Ryan I understand your Dad Neil is hoping to get
a TV company to film the America Quest in 2008, hows
that plan coming along?
RYAN: Well I cant say too much at the moment, as I dont
want to jinx things, but hes already got interest from a couple
of big UK TV companies, as well as a huge network that spe-
cialises in sports events, which based in L.A.
COMBAT: If things go according to plan, how much money
do you need to raise to do this trip, and more important-
ly, how much do you need to get the Anti-Bullying Centre
up & running?
COMBAT May 2007 Page 57
DALE: There are two separate areas of funding; our America
Quest is a straight sporting event that aims to highlight the
money needed to set-up the anti-bullying centre and will cost a
minimum of 150,000 to stage it properly.
Dale (cont.): The centre itself needs at least 250,000 of
repairs and refurbishments doing to it, if its to be fit to open to
the public and then were hoping that if we make the millions
that were aiming to raise in America, it will be well funded
enough to run & run for decades into the future.
COMBAT: Is it true that the guys from the original trip did-
nt find out until 10 years after their event, just how
much they actually raised from American donors?
RYAN: Yes it is. You have to remember that my dad was in a
horrific car crash at the end of America Quest 1988 and when
he came home he just wanted to forget the pain of holding the
lady who died in his arms. It wasnt until he was doing another
fundraiser for the NSPCC in 1997, when he got told that the
people who ran the Gt. Ormond Street appeal had forgotten
what his team had done and that they had been baffled for years
by the 5 million sent in by U.S. donors; as they didnt adver-
tise there and his reminding them about it explained a lot!
COMBAT: Gregg, youve competed abroad a lot before,
how different do you think being on the Masters Of
Combat squad is, compared to other teams?
GREGG: Mr. Axe is strictly old-school; he believes in
extreme training, he treats us like were part of the Shaolin
Temple or something, like standing one-legged on a tree
stump, whilst holding blocks of ice. Or he has us doing crazy
stuff, like were auditioning for the S.A.S., such as climbing
up ropes using only our hands, while people stand below and
scream abuse at you!
COMBAT: So when you guys can eventually get back under
your cold leaky roof, how many more hours of painful train-
ing will you need to put in, before you set off for the States?
BYRON: Well if I can get some help with going professional
and thus getting my lovely girlfriend off my back about trying
to keep up with our mortgage payments, then well each be
doing about another 3,000 hours of preparation.
COMBAT: And, as it was you Dale the teams youngest mem-
ber, who came up with this mad scheme, Ill ask you to
have the last word to our readers, what would you ask
them to do to support the Masters Of Combats Team Fox?
DALE: We keep hearing youth dont help their communities;
well each year over a dozen school kids commit suicide
through being bullied and were trying to put a stop to that. So
wed ask that you please contact martial arts suppliers, other
martial artists, your local politicians, any celebrities you know,
you name it, anyone you can think of to help our cause.
Anyone who knows my dad will tell you that his goal has
always been to see ALL martial artists combine their skills to
get the best out of our sport. Well heres everyones chance to
jump onboard, as were excluding no one. Since my dad dam-
aged his spine six years ago, hes spent every waking minute,
thinking about how he could help raise our arts profile; well
this is it, now well see if martial artists are big enough to take
up his and our challenge. Thank you for your time!
Next month Neils exclusive column begins here only in
the pages of Combat!
Master Axes - MOC Diary - Will be giving you the chance
to discover exactly how you can get involved in the
America Quest 2008 Challenge, what taking part will
entail and an insight into just some of the perils that the
original team of 1988 had to face.
For more information, please go to:
www.AmericaQuest2008.com
COMBAT May 2007 Page 59
 T
T
H
H
E
E CHAMPIONS
AMA is the largest Martial Arts
Organisation in the British Isles
LOG BOOK
It is the Governing Body for over 3,000
clubs and 90,000 members
Month 12
Most of these have been with us 1 month to becoming
for over 31 years a champion in Combat Sport
We must be doing something right!
By Rocky Sondhi & Tommy Thompson
Join the AMA now and get the best national and
efore we look at the focus of training one month
international recognition, the best access to cours-
es and competitions, national and world-wide.
Over 31 years experience of growth. B prior to a fight, let us review where the focus has
been for the last 12 months.
Month Area Of Focus Key Points
Whatever the size or style of your group
or club you are welcome in the AMA. 12 Describe your vision. Create a vision for 12 months
We are here to serve you. Where do you want time and longer.
to be? What are your current perfor-
mance levels?
DAN GRADES & CERTIFICATES Agree desired performance levels
VALIDATION ALL GRADES Agree training plan
COMPETITIONS: REGIONAL, NATIONAL
and INTERNATIONAL 11 Specific goal setting Apply concepts from Wheel of
NVQ CITY & GUILDS Performance
COACHING QUALIFICATIONS: CITY & GUILDS 10 Plan the training Achieve balance with mind,
BEST INSURANCE (and I mean best!) physical and technical skills
CLUB AND COMPETITION GRANTS 9 Focus on technique Technique comprises:
and aerobic capacity - Position of non punching hand
AMA is affiliated to; - Bodyweight transfer when punching
E K G B - English Karate Governing Body - Break off from inside position
(WUKO, WKF/Olympics) - Quality of punching
ICKF - International Chinese Kuoshu Federation - Relax and acceleration of punching
WKEA - World Kali Escrima Associations 8 Focus on variety, Understand the correct mechan-
World Pencak SAQ and aerobic ics and the role of the body
and feet in delivering the opti-
Sole mandate GB mal technique in terms of
WCJJO - World Council Ju-Jitsu Organisation
movement and power.
Concept of innervation works
W A K O - World Association Kickboxing
on the principle that all punches
Organisation (81 countries) and kicks are driven from the
feet. The emphasis is on devel-
TO SEE NATIONAL AMA/WAKO LISTINGS OF OVER oping agility in technique from
13,000 INSTRUCTORS/CLUBS the feet first
ON WEB TYPE: www.bt.com/thephonebook
7 Focus on becoming Key elements of becoming
THEN IN BUSINESS TYPE: martial arts and Town unpredictable unpredictable are:
For an information pack without obligation, call us, alternatively - Preferred direction of movement
you can fax or post the coupon to the address below. - Footwork patterns
- Movement of head
Name: - Movement patterns & mannerism
Address: - Change of movement speed
6 Shift to mindset Creating focus using

training autogenic training

AMA001/03
5 Building determin- Understanding your
Tom Hibbert MBE, FSMA ation to succeed motivation to compete
AMATEUR MARTIAL ASSOCIATIONS 4 Mental preparation Self talk
for the fight
66 Chaddesden Lane, Chaddesden, Derby DE21 6LP
3 Focus on specific Getting ready for high stress
E-Mail: tom@amauk.co.uk competitive fitness
2 Preparing for the Assumptions about ourselves
Tel: 07973 507716 1
what ifs!
Preparing for the
and our opponent

or Fax: 01332 280286 opponent See below

Page 60 COMBAT May 2007
 A month before the fight we need to know our oppo-
nent inside out. The approach from last month goes
along way to improving our understanding of the oppo-
nent. This month we need to look at seeing our opponent
in action. We need to live and breathe our opponent. A
belief that the opponent is beatable only comes from
understanding the strengths of the individual. Ignorance
of the opponents key strengths can only lead to one out-
come - defeat.
At this stage of preparations we need to understand
the opponent to the point of creating fear. This ensures
we are in a state of preparedness for the worst i.e. we are
up for it! We then use the fear to help develop our tactics
to cope with the worst case scenario. Champions hang
up pictures of the opponents at their worst to remind
them of what they are getting in to. If the opponent is
not as good as you thought - no problem, but if he is bet-
ter than you thought - then disaster! We need to under-
stand our opponent in the ring. The ideal framework to
adopt for this analysis is the tvp(tm) framework.
Below are key questions that will in the overall
assessment of your opponent:
Technique Does your opponent get caught as he moves
out after delivering an attack?
Does he get hit when he moves to the left or
right?
How much power does he generate?
Does he need to lean when reaching with his
rear hand?
Does he fall short with his punches?
Does he generally defend with his hands?
Does he get caught after delivering combinations?
Does he try to punch first?
Does move towards his opponent or does wait?
Does he hit elbows and forearms a lot?
Does he follow and catch the opponent?
Does he know how to cover up?
Variety Does he get caught on the ropes?
Does he lose flow when he moves to the left
or right?
Does he throw a lot of punches to the head?
Does he get hit in the stomach
Is he able to hit when he switches stance?
Does he get caught with right hands over his
left lead
Does he get confused when he changes stance
Does he get caught on the ropes and cannot
get off them
Does he move in one direction all of the time
Does he throw combinations or single hits,
generally?
Predictability Are his shots blocked easily?
Does he chase a lot?
Is he able to change tactics against different
opponents
Does he try to hold the centre of the ring all of
the time at whatever cost
Answers to these questions form the analysis, which
then shapes the fight strategy and tactics for the night in
order to survive in the ring. The answers to these ques-
tions form the cornerstone of the tvp(tm) framework.
We will look in depth at one of these possible
answers - the art of managing openings. The thing that
distinguishes the top fighters from the rest is their ability
to create and exploit openings. Inexperienced fighters
have a tendency to lead with their hearts rather than
leading with their minds. Experienced fighters are mas-
ters at being able to create openings and make the oppo-
nent go where they want them to.
There are many different approaches to creating openings.
The Openings Toolkit
The distance from the opponent dictates what
approaches are more appropriate than others. Before we
look at the tools to create openings we need to ensure
that the concept of range is fully understood. Simply,
there are three ranges that the fighter is likely to find
himself in - close range, medium range and long range:
Close range - head touching distance in a normal
stance
Medium range - able to make contact with opponent
with arms extended 50-75% of full
extension
Long range - opponent is just outside the range of
full extension of the arms
At medium and long range, the most common
approaches to create openings are:
1. Feinting
2. Use of jab
3. Drawing
4. Line familiarisation
5. Distractions
6. Counter attacking
To make many of the above work, the fighter needs to
be able to switch attack.
Switch attack means switching the attack from body
to head and vice versa, both are equally effective. The
advantage between the two though lies with the body
attack and then switch to the head, because youve got
the leg drive when punching to the head.
These 12 months are a taster of some of the issues
that need to be addressed in preparation for a fight. Best
of luck and keep winning and/or learning!!
(Concepts are taken from the writers book tvp(tm) -
Comprehensive Boxing Concepts available from 0115
9555109 or www.martialboxing.com, priced 19.99 plus
p&p. Rocky and Tommy are also available for work-
shops, consultations and private sessions on the above
number. Ask about our instructor qualification pro-
grammes at the tvp(tm) Institute and related Olympic
Black Belt programme. tvp(tm) Institute Wheel of
Performance tests is available at 4.99 plus P&P)
COMBAT May 2007 Page 61
FLOAT LIKE A
BUTTERFLY
How to deliver the Hook punch!
lot of nonsense has been The easiest way of doing this is nents jaw (so as to cause ballistic

A taught in the so-called fight- by holding a weight in your fist.

ing arts about generating
impact when punching the
opponent for real. Much of this
nonsense surrounds the
your closed fist but thats another
story! To have any measurable
rotation of the head) and its feet up
Incidentally, this also adds density to and eyes down for a full house.
Id held an impact pad for both
Tommy Morris and Eddy Daniels
and man but it hurts!
notion that you can make
up for a lack of mass by
increasing acceleration
(rate of change of veloci-
ty) of the punching arm.
To a degree this is true
Practise your punches against a suspended
punch bag that weighs around 200lbs and which pros,

(to stop it swinging wildly). Punching a man-mass because

but its important to
realise that its not true
in any practical sense. A
But so it should because
both those guys are
with not a couple
of decades of training
is anchored at the base by means of an aerolastic behind them. Now just
Eddie and Tom
can knock your lights
will teach you a lot about recoil and the greater the out with a classic
recoil, remember, the harder you are hitting! Shukokai reverse punch

goose feather travelling
at Mach 1 is unlikely to
do more than sting!
Rather than increase acceleration need to be holding at least 2lbs of
to Warp 7, the lighter built fighter
must increase the mass s/he is accel- Accelerate that on the end of a
erating into the target.
Swing your punch in a shallow arc
Page 62 COMBAT May 2007
affect on the real-life opponent - you can. For starters, the Shukokai
lead in the palm of your hand.
toughened fist and clip the oppo-
it doesnt follow that
the likes of you and I
reverse punch contains a lot of high-
ly technical elements that may not be
possible in a tight space.
When I say not be possible Im
talking in a practical sense because
one thing I learned about the
Shukokai reverse punch is that it has
a shallow depth of field - so accurate
ranging on the target is very impor-
tant. And if a bar stool prevents you
from achieving that range, then...
People like Morris and Daniels can
range with devastating accuracy on a
bluebottle but you and I..
Ive also seen Simon Laus Wing
Chun Kuen punch from close range
and while I appreciate the technical
excellence of it, I dont think it will
work effectively for the lightly built
person. I realise that a fusillade of
lighter punches may have quite an
effect but my own experience with
real-life fighting is that its main effect
is to anger the drugged-up opponent,
so he tries even harder to thump you.
Your practical street-corner punch
needs a lot of body mass to make it
effective and this is best done by
injecting movement behind the
punching action. I call this kinetic
mass because it makes use of A hook to the floating ribs
movement to increase an otherwise is a devastating punch
light body mass. What do I mean?
Take up a natural stance with
one foot slightly leading the other
and both hands held hear the face.
Close them into lightly clenched
fists. Slide forwards with your lead
foot and even as you are sliding,
pull back your lead guard hand to
your chin and inject your punching
hip into the action. So the sequence
is (1) move into the target, (2) pull
back your lead guard hand/inject
your punching hip (3) punch. The
other thing Im going to do is
advise you lean in slightly behind
the shoulder action, so upper body
mass is added to the accelerating
fist. Dont lean in too much, of
course, because you dont want to
offer your chin to the opponent!
Dont punch straight either!
Swing your punch in a shallow arc
that can curve around the oppo-
nents lead guard because a curved
ball is more difficult to deal with
than a straight thrust. Another dis-
advantage of a straight thrust is that
it is more difficult to range accu-
rately than a curving punch that
clips the opponents jaw and spins
his head into a knockout. The hook
punch encourages you to close
more with the opponent though
youll need to turn the hips far
more than you would if throwing a
straight thrust. And this can present
retrieval problems if your opening
punch misses. Theres another big
disadvantage of a hook punch
though and that is: its harder to
follow-up (because you always
need a follow up!).
Practise your punches against a
suspended punch bag that weighs
around 200lbs and which is
anchored at the base by means of an
aerolastic (to stop it swinging wild-
ly). Punching a man-mass will
teach you a lot about recoil and the
greater the recoil, remember, the
harder you are hitting! Be sure to
inject kinetic weight into the bag to
stop you from just bouncing off!
Hook upwards into the floating ribs
too. Thats a devastating short-range
punch for when you are almost in
clinch mode. But whatever you do,
dont waste your time marching up
and down punching the empty air
because the opponent is rather more
massive than empty air!
COMBAT May 2007 Page 63
DEVELOPMENT OF POWER
THROUGH CORRECT
By Doctor
Mark Bellamy

MOVEMENT
fter many years of working with elite ath-
A letes across a wide range of sporting dis-
ciplines from speedway to golf, boxing to
squash, Ive had the benefit of closely studying
their training methods and adapting them -
where necessary - to achieve greater results.
And the most consistent conclusion I have been
able to draw is that resistance training must
always be about far more than the development
of strong, powerful muscles. It is about evolving
and repeating high quality, precise movements
with great form while layering power onto the
actions. And this is as true for Martial Arts as
any other pursuit - probably more so!
I developed Powerbags to directly address
this issue. Rigid weights (dumbbells and bar-
bells) and medicine balls have a valuable place
in training but I felt a new kind of weight would
demand much more from the user, allow for a
greater variety of training exercises, could be
adapted for specific physical pursuits and goals
and achieve very definite results. An uncluttered,
hardwearing, sand-filled bag with handle straps
has proven to be the answer.
Powerbags are inherently unstable (unlike
traditional weights) - this demands greater preci-
sion from the user and places the onus on exact
movement. The instability also creates unpre-
dictable movement through certain exercises - an
element that is vital in training the body to main-
tain balance, power and equilibrium whilst having
to adjust and adapt. Think of the way Naseem
Hamed at his peak could explode a punch with
immense power and total precision from the most
extraordinary angles whilst appearing to be almost
off-balance. If we train our bodies to maintain
form even when adapting to balance and position
shifts and to respond with interest - huge strides
in performance can be achieved.
The premise is simple. Learn to move correctly
through all plains, ensure form is consistent then
bring in the power moves and intensity. At the heart
of martial arts performance lie the fundamental
needs for: focus, form, control and execution.
Frantic bursts of speed and explosive exertion count
for nothing more than wasted energy if not applied
correctly. Therefore it is self evident the same must
be true for dedicated and appropriate training meth-
ods. At Performance Technology we focussed on
the end goal and desired performance out-come and
then refined training to utilise Powerbags in the
most pertinent ways. In so doing a comprehensive
spectrum of movements and exercises are outlined

Page 64 COMBAT May 2007

to ensure high quality movements are drilled Coming from a background involving
and power is layered onto this technique. With high-level performers we use many elite
correct training judgements improvements in sporting analogies, however the same con-
conditioning and performance in all fields cepts hold true for anyone who does anything
have proved significant. physical in their lives. In the same way a
I believe it is imperative to develop effec- Karate competitor or judo player needs to
tive movement patterns at the origin of any move with power and precision to excel and
resistance training programme. If a golfer win, an 85-year-old slipping needs to regain
grooves a flawed swing the results are his balance before the slip becomes a fall
always going to be disappointing. Similarly with the possibility of injury. In effect both
the gains in resistance work are far greater parties have to impart a precise quick, power-
and provide long-term benefit (including ful movement if they are to be successful, not
injury protection) only when executed with a slow strong action. We are talking then
control and accuracy. The huge variety of about the development of power and control
Powerbag based exercises can then effective- over a wide variety of movements rather than
ly add strength, power and muscular just the limited range of movements we too
endurance onto good movements, utilising: often see performed in typical gym situa-
throwing, lifting, rotational and diagonal tions. We are not just talking about machine
actions, catching, movement drills and pat- based training here, but also the potential
terns. I have worked with Gordon Fearn - a limitations of using bar and dumbbells or any
TAGB TKD World Champ, current European system where the link between training
Champion and Gordon recently told me he is approach, application and desired results are

training as hard as ever and
is still making significant
gains in this area. He hon-
estly believes much of that
is down to his consistent
use of Powerbag, which
has enabled him to trans-
late his physical condition-
ing into direct success on
the mat. Through attention
to variation in training the
process becomes a continu-
al development with focus
on high quality throughout
every aspect of each ses-
sion. It is through this
approach and the versatili-
ty of the methods that the
possibility of reaching and
even exceeding perfor-
mance and functional train-
ing targets occur.
Resistance training
not fully recognised.
Some of this may not
Think of the way Naseem sound too far away from
Hamed at his peak could some of the language used
in disciplines such as yoga
explode a punch with or Pilates. And indeed their
immense power and total focus on the ability to con-
trol and position the body in
precision from the most flowing movements with
extraordinary angles poise is certainly reflected
in our philosophy to training
whilst appearing to be and exercise. In concert
almost off-balance. If we with yoga practitioners, we
believe training and prepa-
train our bodies to main- ration should become part
tain form even when of a fascinating education
adapting to balance and where you will continually
develop, set and reach new
position shifts and to goals. It is something to be
respond with interest - enjoyed rather than endured.
Powerbag training might
huge strides in perfor- not offer all the answers to
mance can be achieved. effective training, but it is

must always be about far
more than how much
weight one is able to lift in a restricted num-
ber of exercises, particularly when applied to
an MA training environment. It should be
about how your training work impacts on
your life in terms of specific performance,
general activity and health. When you create
this mindset through your training, each deci- training systems. Our approach to training has
sion made about what exercises to include
within your programme, the form and preci-
sion with which you execute them and the
attention and rigour you apply to each exer-
cise or movement determines whether your
efforts elevate you from a plateau to the next
level of performance.
It is a well-known tenet that in order to
develop excellence you have to input quality.
Part of this means you dont limit what you
are able to achieve by missing out important
or critical stages in your training develop-
ment. Many coaches agree that a key physi-
cal attribute defining elite performance is the
ability to harness and execute power and per- performance expert. He works regularly with
formance through technique. If you accept
this, it seems obvious that the training and
preparation that you undertake should make
this as likely as possible.
based on principles that cre-
ate the optimum chance of
improvement and success. The responses we
are getting to our training approach and the
tools we have developed from elite perform-
ers in many sports, the military, rehab patients
and schools indicate that we are providing a
significant improvement over many resistance
been developed through years of detailed and
wide-reaching work and study, observing first
hand what works and what does not. And
through the intelligent application of what we
have observed and what we feel needs to be
applied for maximum effectiveness in training
meeting the needs of performance. Powerbags
linked to the Powerbag training philosophy
has provided an important part of the answer
to genuinely successful training.
To know more about Powerbag training and
education seminars visit www.powerbag.co.uk
or call Dr Mark Bellamy on 01432 379401.
Mark is a Dr of Psychology and a human
champions in many sports as well as with the
armed forces, schools and health club group.
Contact Guy Holland 01886 888379 07868
876008 guy@guyholland.wanadoo.co.uk

There is now a Powerbag Yahoo Group - www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/powerbag. Ideal for news, pictures, thoughts & discussion.
In association with Combat Magazine Performance Technology Ltd is offering three Powerbags to readers. Simply visit
www.powerbag.co.uk and send an email stating Combat Powerbag Offer. The winners will be drawn in one month.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 65
ASHLEY
CONLAN
Karate Kick Master Extraordinaire
ts rare for a genuinely new prod-
I uct to come onto the martial arts
market. Usually they are rehashes or
touch-ups of existing products and
offer little in the way of interest or
improved benefits. This is about to
change however, as Ashley Conlan is
about to unleash the Karate Kick Master
upon the jaded martial arts market.
Ashley was very eager to speak about
the equipment but I decided to do a bit
of digging and find out if he actually
knew the market he was selling to either
as an insider with experience, or an out-
sider with no experience who had spot-
ted an opportunity.
Basically Ive been doing martial
arts on and off for 20 years. I started in
Tae Kwon Do and did four years in
both the ITF and WTF, achieving Red
Belt. I actually started off with the
TAGB, but Lancaster University didnt
have a TAGB class there so I changed
styles to WTF and was lucky enough to
have my grade recognised. During my
time at University I studied several
other arts from Tai Chi Sun style to
Thai Boxing. I then went and lived and
Page 68 COMBAT May 2007
trained in Japan for a few years study-
ing Iaido with world famous Yamaguchi
Sensei Meijin 10th Dan Muso Jikiden
Eishin-Ryu Iaido Hanshi 9th Dan
Kendo, who sadly passed away last
year. I used to train at his house. We
would sit on the tatami and have
Japanese tea to compose ourselves
before training. Then we would enter
his dojo, which was actually his living
room and it was a deep experience. In
the end I gained a Nidan. I was his sec-
ond foreign student so I was highly
honoured to be able to train with him.
I was once again very fortunate
upon returning to the UK to find a new
master to capture the traditional
Japanese budo spirit and currently train
with Ritchie Noblett Shihan 8th Dan
Wado Ryu, Chief Instructor of the Welsh
Bushi-kai Association. He has given me
his full support and endorsement of the
Karate Kick Master, which for me is
fantastic as he is a stretching expert.
From studying the martial arts to
trying to invent a new product is a big
change in mindset and I wondered what
caused him to do so. Ashley was more
By Matthew Sylvester
than happy to explain saying: My
whole family practices karate and I
noticed that the stretching for my nine
year old son improved his flexibility but
didnt actually improve his side kicking
ability. I looked at the machines on the
market and could only find the split
machines where youre sitting on the
floor to stretch. This doesnt make sense
as you dont kick on the floor so why
stretch that way?
Most people would have stopped
there, mumbling and grumbling to
themselves about how the stretching
wasnt doing much but still going
through the motions at class. This was
not what happened in Ashleys case and
he had a distinct advantage over most of
us. I have an engineering background
and run my own small business and
thought Id create my own machine. I
did a lot of research and one of my con-
tacts told me that someone in the
United States had actually created a
very similar machine to my ideas, so I
got in touch with him and Im very
pleased to now be the first person to
sell it both in Europe and the UK.
 So, we have another stretching
machine on the market and, having tried
a couple myself, Im interested to find
out how the Karate Kick Master differs
from the rest of the market. Its a very
innovative product. I believe that
stretching in the position that you kick is
going to greatly improve your technique
and this has been the case for my son.
The machines themselves are made of
heavy- duty steel and are therefore very
high-quality and robust machines.
Where people have a tendency to over-
stretch with other machines, you have a
lot more control of the Karate Kick
Master. Obviously the benefits of this
machine arent limited to the martial
arts as all athletes (football, rugby,
track etc...) will benefit from stretching
in the upright position so thats another
exciting angle to take.
This is where the technical bit comes
in. Unlike normal stretching where mar-
tial artists bounce (this is called ballis-
tic stretching) into various positions and
assume a red-faced, sweaty, pain-filled
grimace, the type of stretching that this
machine encourages is Proprioceptive
Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). PNF
is widely regarded as the best method to
increase overall flexibility in targeted
muscle groups. Many martial artists may
have employed these techniques in part-
ner stretches without having ever heard
of PNF.
Ill explain further. As in convention-
al stretching, with PNF you stretch to a
range where you feel mild tension. At
this point, you should isometrically con-
tract the muscle against the support pad.
In other words, push down against the
pad for a period of about six seconds.
Relax for about six seconds. You will
find that you can now easily increase
your stretch. Do so until you feel that
mild tension again and repeat the above.
You can repeat this up to four times.
PNF works because it invokes what is
called the inverse stretch reflex. If you
would like to know more about this phe-
nomenon, read up on muscle spindles
and golgi tendon organs (GTO).
As I mentioned above, PNF works
best when targeting muscle groups and
the Karate Kick Master actually allows
you to choose which kick you want to
work on and to then stretch the muscle
groups used in those kicks. Because you
can move the stretching arm and the
You dont kick on the floor
so why stretch that way?
The Karate Kickmaster
in all its glory
resting pad into
the position required
you can work a wide
range of kicks. Just from
looking at the website I was
able to see how you could
stretch for front kicks, axe
kicks, round houses, round
house knees, side kicks, and
side rising kicks. No doubt with
a bit of inventiveness you could
also work out how to stretch for
crescent kicks and front knees. This
is a much greater range of muscle
groups and kicks than any of
the ground-based
machines are able to
offer.
This interview and
the soon-to-come
Brutally Honest review are
exclusive to Combat mag-
azine. Ashley explains why
he came to us first: When I
started martial arts twenty
years ago Combat was the
magazine I held in the highest
regard. It was also the thickest
and had more articles covering
more arts than the other maga-
zines and as a result, I wanted
to launch the Karate Kick
Master exclusively with the
magazine. So there you have
it, Combat remains the market
leader and it looks like Karate
Kick Master will do so too.
For those of you interested in
getting a hands-on experience
with Karate Kick Master, Ashley
will be bringing it to all the
Combat Champions League events
starting in Aberdare, Wales on
March 25th.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 69
The Origins & Lineage of
Sil Lum Hark Fu Mun
D
uring the early 1800s a Shaolin
monk named Zhao De went to
Guangzhou to beg alms and visit
associates every few years. One
day, Zhao De arrived at Shunde, Nanxiang
where a local gentleman, Mr. So, accomo-
dated him at his home for a short time.
Mr. So would also provide him with food
and financial assistance for his return trip.
Every morning on rising, Zhao De saw a
well-built teenager training in martial arts
in the courtyard. Although the young man
was a powerful striker, his technique was
faulty in many ways. His conditioning
regime was good for health purposes, but
poor from the aspect of self-defense.
However, in order to avoid trouble, Zhao
De did not comment on his observations.
After a number of days, he had completed
his work and was preparing to make his
return trip home. At this time, he tried to
advise the young man in the courtyard
about the errors in his training, but his
opinions were ignored.
Zhao De asked the teenager to test
him, and the latter obliged, punching
immediately at Zhaos stomach. Zhao
blocked the strike with his left hand while
lightly pushing the teens shoulder with his
right palm, unbalancing him so that he fell
to the ground. Zhao immediately helped
him up and asked who he was. The
young man was So Hark Fu, a nephew of
Zhaos benefactor, Mr. So. So didnt com-
plain about having been knocked down.
On the contrary, he begged Zhao De to
teach him. At first, Zhao refused, as he
needed to return to the Shaolin Temple.
So said he would follow Zhao back to the
Temple, if necessary, in order to train with
him. Zhao sensed the young mans pas-
sion and also recognized from watching
him that he had potential, finally agreeing
to teach him martial arts.
So Hark Fu went with Zhao De to the
Shaolin Temple where he trained very hard
on the stone locks, the spring stone wheel,
and the striking dummy. His forearms, the
bridges, became as hard as steel, and he
developed exceptional balance in his foot-
work. After 3 years, Zhao De taught him
the Sap Yin Kuen (10 Animals Fist), the
Chue Ba Sin (the Drunken Form), the Hark
Fu Dao (Black Tiger Sabre), and the Kam
Kong Kun (Kam Kong pole).
So Hark Fus favorite form proved to be
the Sap Yin Kuen, referring to the Dragon,
Snake, Tiger, Leopard, Crane, Elephant,
Lion, Horse, Monkey, and Marten (a type honoured him as a member of Canton Ten
of weasel that fights the snake). Each ani- Tigers. So Hark Fu martial arts were unique
mal segment contained 30 movements. and originated from Shaolin, successors
The form is divided into 3 parts: the Chin therefore called this martial arts style
Chong (Front Dummy), the Chung Chong Shaolin Black Tiger (Sil Lum Hark Fu Mun).
(Middle Dummy), and the Hau Chong (the A Monk named Fung Ping Wai had
Rear Dummy). The movements are both studied under So Hark Fu and had
hard and gentle, and simple, rather than returned to a worldly life. Master Fung had
flowery. After 6 years, So Hark Fu had found employment with a British family liv-
learned everything Zhao De could teach ing in Bowen Road at the Peak on Hong
him. The young So then went onto devel- Kong Island, sometime before 1920. In
op and formulate his own style from the 1920 Master Wong Chueng also found
various aspects taught to him at Shaolin. employment as a gardener with the same
He called this style Sil Lum Hark Fu British family. Early in the mornings and
(Shaolin Black Tiger.) during breaks the young Wong Cheung
At the age of 24, with Zhao Des would practice his Tie Sin Kuen, Chai Mei
approval So Hark Fu left Shaolin and Kun, and Lung Yin Ba Gua Cheong, which
returned to his home village to visit his par- he had previously learnt during his early
ents. Once back in the village his clan were life. One day a fellow co-worker saw the
soon very impressed by his standard of young Wong practicing with his staff and,
Kung Fu and he was invited to teach mar- borrowing it, imitated Wongs technique,
tial arts there. For three years So taught breaking the staff in two. It turned out that
Kung Fu in the village in an area at the this co-worker, was Master Fung Ping-Wai.
local fruit wholesalers company. His clan Wong and Fung became good friends and
brothers then invited him to go to during their time together Master Fung
Guangzhou and set up a gym there teach- taught the young Wong Cheung Sil Lum
ing his Kung Fu. So Hark Fu considered Hark Fu (Shaolin Black Tiger) Kung Fu.
that his prospect was limited if he stayed in
the village and so he accepted the offer. So
Hark Fu then handed over his classes at
the village to one of his students and
moved to Guangzhou.
So Hark Fu set up his own gym in
Guangzhou, Wong Sa Road (located near
the White Swan Hotel at present date). So
Hark Fu quickly built up a reputation and
soon he had many students. Due to his
success some other Sifus became jealous.
One of these was a Wudang Sifu called Liu
Wing. Liu Wing brought around thirty stu-
dents with him to So Hark Fus gym and
challenged him to a fight. So Hark Fu had
no alternative but to accept this challenge
and fight with them. Finally, after a very
fierce battle So Hark Fu defeated Liu
Wing and his students. After this bat-
tle, So Hark Fu was famous in
Guangzhou. Legend states that Grandmaster
Wong Chueng
because So Hark Fu was a mar-
tial arts expert and was
never defeated, people
By Paul Burkinshaw
COMBAT May 2007 Page 73
NINJITSU
The original 18 disciplines
N
injitsu (or as the Japanese call it
The art of invisibility) has to be
the most mystical martial art of
them all. It is surrounded by sto-
ries and tales of how they used to train,
and these stories are supplemented by
more ghostly beliefs of superhuman feats
and surreal capabilities, but this is just a
taster of the work of the Ninjas. This foggy
vision that we have of these ancient martial
artists was originally created by the Ninjas
themselves to strike fear and panic into
their enemies. If a man cannot be seen,
how can he be stopped? If a man can kill
with a single touch, are we safe? This is
exactly how the Ninjas wanted their oppo-
nents to think; before the fight had even
begun their enemies had already mentally
lost the battle. So how did such warriors
train to become so feared in battle?
Photgraphs courtesy of Jonathan Caney
Page 74 COMBAT May 2007
The 18 disciplines:
In order of progression
1. Seishin-teki kyoyo (spiritual refinement)
there are 7 stages of refinement: Knowing
oneself / Knowing Nature / Destiny /
Harmony / The Heart / The Eye / Love.
Elements of Yoga were incorporated into
the initial training so that the participant
could gain a clear mind and focus on what
lay ahead.
2. Taijutsu (unarmed combat) the unarmed
combat of the Ninja is a study of both
stand and ground fighting. It incorporates
pressure point striking, throws and take-
downs, locks, manipulation, breaks and
killing techniques.
3. Ninja ken (sword fighting) the traditional
Ninjitsu sword is shorter than the Japanese
Katana. It was originally copied from the
tradition Samurai sword but was cut
down and made perfectly straight
(unlike the curved katana of the
Samurai) so that it could be drawn
quicker and was more ideal for
rapid attacks such as slashing and
stabbing. The blade of the sword
was also made dull so that it
gave off no reflection of light.
4. Bojutsu (stick and staff
fighting) there are a large col-
lection of staffs and sticks used
by the Ninjas from Bo and Jo
staffs to single and double
bladed weapons.
By Liam
Devonport
Taijutsu
(unarmed combat)
5. Shurikenjutsu (throwing blades) there
were two traditional throwing blades, the Bo
shuriken and the Senban. The Bo shuriken
was usually 4 sided but it was sometimes
round or octagonal, averaging about 16cm
in length. The Senban is the classically
known throwing star; it has about 6 to 8
points and is approx. 11cm wide.
6. Sojutsu (spear fighting) classic
Japanese spear.
7. Naginatajutsu (naginata fighting) A long
wooden weapon ranging from 1.5m - 2.1m
in length (inc. blade, approx. length of blade
is 30 inches) sometimes curved at tip.
Traditionally used by the Samurai.
8. Kusarigama (chain and sickle weapon) a
large chain with a heavy weight on the
end, it was used against swords, staffs and
spears because of its huge attacking range.
The Kusarigama or Kama is an ancient
farming tool; it looks like a pointed axe.
This was used to kill the enemy after the
chain and sickle had disarmed, knocked
down or knocked the enemy unconscious.
9. Kayakujutsu (fire and explosives) use
your imagination.
10. Hensojutsu (disguise and imperson-
ation) the Ninjas would sometimes carry
costumes so that they could dress like
 Shinobi-iri (stealth and infiltration methods)
their enemies to infiltrate villages and
bases. They would hide for a few days
watching the people they needed to
impersonate so that they could act and
perform like them convincingly.
11. Shinobi-iri (stealth and infiltration
methods) this was broken down into 5
aspects: Correct use of timing to enter the
camp / Discovering the weak point of the
camps defences / Using the guards psycho-
logical weakness (confuse them, scare them)
/ Distraction / Erasing light and sound.
12. Bajutsu (horsemanship) effective tech-
niques that can be used against enemies
mounted on horseback.
13. Sui-ren (training in water) the main 5
Ninja water techniques are: Boats - How to
build rafts to stay afloat on a river for long
periods of time or to follow an enemys
convoy. Water as a weapon - Destroying
bridges so that rivers cannot be crossed.
Contaminating water sources. Tools - Use
The Ninjitsu sword is shorter
than the Japanese Katana.
of tubes that look like reeds so that they
could breathe underwater for long periods
of time. These could also be used to shoot
poisoned darts at enemies. Stealth - How
to hide and disguise yourself in water.
Survival - They learnt how to purify water
and transport it over large distances.
14. Boryaku (military strategy) unortho-
dox strategies and tactics were taught to
confuse the enemy.
15. Choho (espionage) Spying and sabo-
tage techniques
16. Intonjutsu (escaping and
concealment) they escaped using a tech-
nique called silent movement and were
taught to conceal them-
selves by using the 5 elements:
Earth / Water / Fire / Wood / Metal.
17. Tenmon (meteorology) they studied
meteorology so that they could
use weather to their advantage.
18. Chi-mon (geography) they would
learn the locations of all the main rivers,
lakes, mountains, villages and ports
around Japan so that they always had a
good idea of where they were. They
would also learn Geology and Zoology so
that they could determine their where-
abouts on the island by relying on plants
and animals.
So there you have it, the 18 original
disciplines of Ninjitsu. This is just a
touch on how the Ninjas really studied.
Some of the 18 disciplines went even
more in-depth than I have described
(well in fact all of them do) but other
things such as medicine and chi control
were also studied for healing and harm-
ing purposes. Very dangerous stuff... but
thats another story.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 75
Wu Bin Comes to Bri
he great news for all Chinese Gong-fu fans, is that Master Wu Bin is coming

T to teach at Seni07. Master Wu Bin is honoured as one of the Ten International

Great Wushu Masters and his teaching credentials are phenomenal, such as the
chief instructor of Beijing Wushu Team, the president of the Beijing Wushu Institute,
as well as holding many top positions in the Chinese martial arts association. He was
the Chairman of Technical Committee of International Wushu Federation, and Chairman
of the Technical Committee of the Wushu Federation of Asia.
Under Master Wu Bins coaching, the
Beijing Wushu Team has achieved a feat
that no team has ever accomplished, win-
ning 10 consecutive years of the Wushu
Championship. In that time they received
over 50 gold medals, fostered a dozen
national and international Gong-fu film
stars, including International movie star Jet
Li. Today, Master Wus students are all over
the world and he is frequently invited to
teach overseas. It was in 1966 that he was
first honoured as one of the National Best
Sport Instructors by The Sport Department
of China and during the ten years between
1975 to 1985, his Beijing Wushu team
maintained the number one place in
National Wushu Competitions consecutive-
ly, an incredible feat.
After this success, from 1986 to 1993,
Wu Bin left the Beijing Wushu team to
become President of the Chinese Wushu
Research Institute, and had the chance to
cultivate many Wushu elite athletes, who
are now all over the world. If further proof
Page 78 COMBAT May 2007
of Wu Bins extraordinary abilities were
needed it was provided on his return to
Beijing in 1994. I went back to the Beijing
Wushu team again, their achievements had
been declining, and I had to enforce a
change, reform management, enhance
intensive training and recruit new mem-
bers. The result was that the Beijing Wushu
team won another 8 years championship.
As a proven coach of the highest pedi-
gree, Wu Bin has very definite views on
what it takes to become a top Wushu
coach, namely a mix of well-rounded
knowledge with plenty of physical experi-
ence and the instructor must love the
sport as well as loving teaching it. Allied to
this, they must understand individual
desires and the individual students physical
condition and then identify for him suit-
able routines, training plans and individual
targets. This can only be achieved with an
overall understanding of medical body
structure, aiding the ability to avoid injury.
Wushu has been embraced by the
West and Wu Bin admits that he has had
to adapt his training methods for a new
generation of Western students, as many
Westerners come to learn Wushu with dif-
ferent expectations and desires, for exam-
ple, they have been inspired by Gong-fu
films, the desire to strengthen their body,
enhance their fighting ability or simply
impress their mates! So the teaching
methods have to be different. That said,
he believes that the concept and the tech-
nical elements of Wushu are gradually
being taken in by the West.
With worldwide recognition an impor-
tant factor in the growth of any sport, Wu
Bin is pleased that Wushu will have gained
Olympic recognition but strikes a note of
caution about the Olympic growth overall.
He states that, given the Olympics world sta-
tus, China is proud to host the games and
that the Olympic Committee empathises
with the Chinese peoples wish for Wushu to
become an Olympic game but , at the same
time, China agrees with the Committee
that the number of Olympic sports needs to
be reduced, not the other way round. It is
the general concern that the Olympic sports
are too many for a country to be able to
host the event, in many a case.
One of the criticisms of Modern Wushu
is that it has been watered down in recent
years to the point that it is more like gym-
nastics, something he vigorously refutes.
Wushu and gymnastics are two different
sports just like table-tennis and tennis,
dance and ballet. They have a lot in com-
mon but are fundamentally different. The
development of Wushu is heading towards
achieving more difficult movements and
better aesthetic standards, just like the way
any other sports develop in competitions.
When asked what makes Wushu so
unique, he believes that it is because the art
has evolved from fighting skills, developed as
a sport and is now influenced by the
entrainment industry, not least his own stu-
dent Jet Li. In 1981, Jet Li successfully
starred in the film Shaolin Temple, which
promoted Wushu worldwide. Li started
Wushu training at the age of 8 and Wu Bin
states that he was very serious and strict
tain!

about his own training. The result was that

Li was to become a famed National Wushu
Champion and thats why his action in the
movies are so real and awesome.
With the success of Jet Li, Wu Bin is
pleased that Wushu Movies are becoming
increasingly popular, and their quality
improving. Many people did not know
before that this genre of movie can be
very entertaining and beautiful, like
Hero and House of Flying Daggers. In
mainland China we say Wushu. In Hong
Kong, they say Gong-fu.
So, why can Master Wu be successful
as a martial arts teacher? How does he
teach to westerners? What is the essence
of Chinese martial arts? In his 2 hour semi-
nar, Master Wu will give you his answer
to these questions. His teaching is vivid
and well structured, his course is practical
and hands on and every movement will
be demonstrated by Cao Yue, a famous
young star, who is a member of the Beijing
Wushu Team and has recently won the
Asia Youth Wushu Championships. It is a
wonderful opportunity to witness a top
player in action in front of you.
The seminar will benefit any levels and
any style of Chinese martial arts practition-
er, traditional and modern, barehanded

and weaponry. Chinese martial arts practi-
tioners no matter what level or style will
find the seminar gives them the insight

I am happy to teach
understanding and logical coherence of
this art and sport combined. It is a rare
chance to receive a lesson taught in person
by such high rank Wushu master, it is a
lifetime experience. The course also grants
you a certificate signed by Master Wu,
and a photo opportunity with this Chinese
martial arts giant.
whatever the British
The Seminar takes place at 10:30-
12:30 on Sunday 20th May. Places can be
booked online at www.senishow.com. By
purchasing a seminar ticket you will
people like to learn
access Seni07 expo free of charge.
Seni07 is happening at Excel London on
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th May 2007.
about Wushu!
COMBAT May 2007 Page 79
IS YOUR ART
MARTIAL?
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Charge of the light Brigade
- Lord Tennyson 1870
I
f you were to write comprehensively
about every martial art in the world you
would seriously be competing with the
Encyclopaedia Britannica! There are liter-
ally hundreds of different styles, methods or
systems in the world today. With new systems
branching out even as I write this, I am curi-
ous to know how we classify what a Martial
art is. What I am about to write is definitely
open for debate as I know some of you may
not agree with me. That is okay, because we
all have the freedom to express our opinion
and I simply want to generate some thought
on this issue, not dictate any classification (in
fact that is what this is all about if you get it
at the end of the article!). All I ask is that you
keep an open mind and dont fuss too much!
Let us start with the dictionaries classifica-
tion for the word Martial:
martial - martial - (mrshl) adj.
1. Of, relating to, or suggestive of war.
2. Relating to or connected with the armed
forces or the profession of arms.
3. Characteristic of or befitting a warrior.
Page 80 COMBAT May 2007
So you could say Martial arts are; the
study of preparatory methods for use in
armed and unarmed combat during war.
However, I do not think it is that simple, as
the martial arts were not originally developed
for the defence of soldiers fighting on battle-
fields, or as sports. The combat that martial
artists practice is free from the constraints of
rules unless they are practised as a sport.
When we restrict our
techniques to just throw-
ing or only punching etc,
we no longer have an
effective fighting arsenal
that can qualify in the
pure sense, as Martial.
Martial arts have simply one objective: to
neutralise an attack by any means as rapidly as
possible. (I will repeat this a few times during
the article!) The sporting element may well
have come from the need to maintain battle
awareness and sharpness during times of
peace, such as the Greek Olympic games,
which was a religious festival during which war
Shaun
Boland
was suspended throughout the land. On the
battlefield, weapons were a lot heavier and
By
the skills of war a lot cruder than martial arts.
However, a requirement for skill and strategy
was certainly needed to best your adversary.
So it is my opinion that the martial arts
were adapted to warfare not developed for
warfare as we may think.
The argument here of course is that
weaponry was developed for warfare and as
we know, many of our arts have training as
such. However, for now, I am looking at the
unarmed fighting arts - hand to hand combat.
Something that has gone on since man first
roamed the Earth. Tribal warfare probably
occurred in prehistoric times and fighting
would have included biting, gouging, hair
pulling, pushing and striking etc. The more
sophisticated techniques such as throwing,
locking, defence and attack strategies that
martial artists employ, are a totally different
order of complexity altogether.
What I am about to say now may cause a
reaction from one or two of you, but here
goes, nonetheless. The majority of our tech-
niques in martial arts are of no use in a real
combat situation. They simply would not
work in either urban or military warfare. Now
its up to you to decide what will work and
what will not in your chosen arts. I am not
prepared to analyse and write down every
martial technique! But be brutally honest, put
yourself hand to hand with someone who
actually wants to kill you, are you really pre-
pared? Do you really have the training to deal
with this? Isnt this what Martial arts are
about - to neutralise an attack by any means
as rapidly as possible.
This of course leads me into our sports
Martial arts. As I stated earlier, probably
developed to keep the soldiers battle sharp
in times of peace. Our sports, naturally, have
rules, as with any sport. As a Martial art
however, rules become constraints, limits. Let
us take a closer look - We can divide our
Martial sports into two basic categories:
restricted-contact and full contact (This
includes weapons too!). Within the restricted
contact we have the semi-contact rules and
the non-contact rules, some of the arts that
employ these are:
Judo
Karate (Not including kyokushinkai & shi-
dokan which both employ full contact
techniques)
Aikido
Taekwondo
Tai Chi
Semi-Contact Freestyle
Are these Martial arts? I know you are
looking at the last section and saying no way!
So lets look at each one individually. In the
modern martial arts we have systems that are
designed for urban warfare and in the case of
Krav Maga, specifically developed for the
Israeli defence forces. In the traditional sec-
tion I have included arts that employ the use
of weapons in addition to empty hand (at
last! I hear you sigh). These traditional meth-
ods were all employed in battle during their
countries respective histories. So by all
accounts modern and traditional arts are
Martial. Now lets look at the fitness section,
but before I do, consider this: The Shaolin
Temple is where many martial arts believe
their roots to lie.
It is here, legend has it, that the Indian
Zen Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma, upon see-
ing his pupils falling asleep during meditation,
formulated an exercise routine based upon
the movements of 5 different animals. This
was later adapted to fighting styles, which are
still in existence today. Modern day martial
fitness routines are purely for aerobic exercise
throwing in some strength exercises and a
few techniques you may say. However, most
of these, if not all, were designed by martial
artist and they involve choreography not to
dissimilar to Kata or Hyungs. Perhaps these
exercise routines are the forerunners of our
own modern Shaolin community halls and
sports centres!
So lets go back to our original meaning
of martial arts - to neutralise an attack by any
means as rapidly as possible. Does the fitness
section fit into this category? Do sport Martial
arts fit into this category? Be careful how you
answer, bear in mind my comments earlier
about rules and constraints!
Getting back to the original question,
does your martial art stack up if you were
faced with an opponent who wants to kill
you, no rules, no constraints, no dance beat?
MARTIAL ARTS - Preparation for Combat or
just a generic term?

Within full contact there are the following:

Muay Thai
Western Boxing
San Shao (Chinese boxing)
Vale Tudo
NHB (MMA)

There are many more which fit into either

categories or even somewhere between. What
I am asking here is, are they all Martial arts?
When we restrict our techniques to just throw-
ing or only punching etc, we no longer have
an effective fighting arsenal that can qualify in
the pure sense, as Martial. Lets look away
from the sporting aspect for the moment and
look at few other martial arts. I will categorise
them so that we can discuss these further:

1. MODERN
Jeet Kune Do

Krav Maga
Keysi

2. TRADITIONAL
The majority of our
Muay Boran (Krabi-Krabong) techniques in martial
Bushido
Iaido
arts are of no use in a
Kalaripayit
Silat
real combat situation.
Escrima They simply would not
3. FITNESS work in either urban or
Tae Bo
military warfare!

Boxercise
Aerobox
Body Combat
Karaterobics

Kru Shaun is the Chief instructor and founder of the Chao Phraya Muay Thai
Academy in Cambridgeshire. www.chaophrayamuaythai.com
If you have any constructive comments regarding any of Kru Shauns articles you can
forward them to: krushaun@btinternet.com where Kru Shaun will be happy to reply
COMBAT May 2007 Page 81
 LEADING WORLD AUTHORITY Chokes and strangles are part
of various martial traditions,

MIKE such as Judo and Jujutsu, how-

ever, in the public eye these
type of techniques are seen as

F I N Ns unacceptable, especially within

law enforcement and similar
professions. In this short series

BUNBU SERIES
of articles we explore the tech-
niques, the applications, and
the science behind this skill,
however, these type of tech-
niques should only be prac-
THE CHOKE AND ticed by experienced expo-
nents under strict professional
STRANGLE Part 2 tuition and supervision.

I
n the early day of my Judo career, if an opponent did not
submit, it was accepted practice to strangle them uncon-
scious. I mentioned in the last article, that during my tuition
of strangles and resuscitation in Japan, we worked in pairs,
first strangling the partner out and then resuscitating him, how-
ever, in our modern climate this practice would be seen as not
acceptable. In fact making a person unconscious can be daunt-
ing and does have a great deal of responsibility attached to it.
The state of unconsciousness from a strangle, in Japanese called
Ochiru, causes the pupils to dilate and in many cases brings
about clonus, a spasm with alternate muscular contractions and
relaxations, that can be disconcerting to the observer, however,
the recipient is often in a euphoric dream state, consciousness
being regained naturally within 20 seconds. Again I reiterate that
these type of techniques are for the qualified exponent, who is
also well versed in resuscitation.
There are two types of approach to the generic term stran-
gulation, the first type of application is referred to as a choke.
The choke is applied to the neck and restricts the air supply to
the lungs, which is a very unpleasant feeling and does not result
in short term unconsciousness. Using a choke presents another
danger, which, if aggressive pressure is used, can cause damage
to the hyoid bone. In contrast to the choke, the strangle affects
the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain, it brings about a
ELI001/03 quick unconsciousness, usually within 15 seconds, and is not an
unpleasant feeling (in contrast to the choke). In reality there are
few applications of technique that do not embrace both of these
concepts, therefore the strangle for example, may be the cause
of unconsciousness, but there may also be a partial choke
applied at the same time.
During my martial arts career I have experienced the stran-

The strangle cuts off the supply of The choke restricts the air
oxygenated blood to the brain. supply to the lungs.
Page 82 COMBAT May 2007
 Various choking and strangling
techniques will produce quite
different results, depending on
the nature of their application.
OKURI ERI JIME
KATA HA JIME
gle induced unconsciousness on quite a number of occasions
and am therefore writing from direct experience. As I mentioned
in the previous article, I have also used these techniques during
my career as a police officer in the early 1960s and 1970s. On
one occasion a very powerful man had been arrested for a num-
ber of serious assaults. As I was coming along the road there
were about eight police officers by the police van trying to con-
trol this man. At one point the man was taken to the floor and
the officers piled on top of him, in response he just stood up
(with them all hanging on) and walked away, shaking them off as
he went. I saw a small window of opportunity, jumped on his
back, wrapped myself round him, and applied a strangle. He
rushed around trying to smash me into walls or whatever he
could. I held on for grim death and counted to twelve, he sim-
ply relaxed and went to the floor. By the time he came round he
was secured in the police van.
In the western world there is a great deal of concern about
the short, and long- term effects of strangulation. It is now for-
bidden to be used by any British police force. Some police
forces in America used this type of technique, but often apply it
with a baton of some description. There have been fatalities by
over zealous officers, who have used excessive force or kept the
technique on for too long. The criticism then does not rest with
the strangle but with lack of training and education of the offi-
cers applying the technique. When proper training is given and
the person using the technique has control over the technique,
the prisoner, and himself, then it is a viable proposition. In law
enforcement, the strangle is not a way of resolving all confronta-
tions, but in situation where a person is beyond the pain thresh-
old and has super human strength. There are few ways in which
NAMI JUJI JIME
HADAKA JIME
such a person can be controlled. One is to use the Tazar (stun
gun), another is to hit him repeatedly with batons until he col-
lapses, another is to use some kind of invasive spray such as CS
gas. All of these alternatives have resulted in injury and fatality
over the years. I think there is at least some logic in looking at
the potential use of strangles with properly trained people,
under specific circumstances.
Much has been said about the actual application of stran-
gles in both martial arts and law enforcement situation.
Inevitably however its viability comes down to scientific evi-
dence. Some years ago the Society For Scientific Research at
the Kodokan in Japan set up a study on the physiological effects
of choking and strangulation. The research included the follow-
ing objectives: (a). to evaluate the various methods of choking
(and strangulation) with respect to their various effects. (b). the
duration of the effects that choking (strangulation) have on the
body. (c). to study the physiological activity of the resulting state
of unconsciousness. (d). to study the prevention of risk accom-
panying choking (strangles). For the experiments, a master
applied various techniques on five subjects. Three techniques
were used, which included Okuri eri jime (sliding collar neck
lock) - Kata jiji jime (half cross neck lock) - and Hadaka jime
(naked neck lock). The reason that these techniques were
selected was because, in relation to the first the whole neck is
squeezed, in the second the carotid artery is pressed, and in
the third the trachea is pressed. During the experiments various
scientific equipment was used to study the central nervous sys-
tem, the cardio-vascular system, and the respiratory system, as
a part of the research objectives. In the next article I will deal
with the results of these experiments.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 83
 WING
CHUN
The Power of Change
To constantly control your opponent you must often change,
TODAY since change is the only principle that remains constant.
any of us are like a super train benefits in both attack and defence when

M screaming down railroad tracks.

Although, we may alter the speed
of the train we find it difficult if not fully
impossible to respond to change. We are
fine as long as nothing varies, but the instant
we are faced with radical change we fail.
Our train derails and we are devastated.
This same phenomenon can arise in a vio-
lent self-defence situation.
The principle of change teaches us what
the nature of change really is and how to
By Ron Heimberger remain flexible enough to deal with varying
situations. The principle of change can bring
properly utilised. When you are attacked,
your attacker generally has a plan in mind.
Perhaps he has attacked others before you
and has a programmed agenda in mind when
he strikes. For instance, he might begin with
a mild conversation and then instantly attack
seeking to surprise you. If you have been
learning correct techniques and principles you
will have many options with which to
respond to this assault. You will be able to
use simultaneous attack and defence to regain
the initiative. You can then easily baffle your
opponent by changing your attacks in various

A1 A2 A3

A1 through A3
Grandmaster demonstrates his ability to change under any circumstance. In photo A1 Master Heimberger throws his left punch, the Grandmaster uses his
left arm to protect himself by applying a Pak Sao. Continuing the attack Heimberger throws his right punch but finds it ineffective as the Grandmaster sim-
ply applies a Bong Sao from the same arm in photo A2. Then in photo A3 Heimberger tries again by attacking with a left punch. However the Grandmaster
uses the same arm once again to grab from underneath and then turn his body and pull Heimberger into his right punch.

P1 P2 P3 P4 P5

P6 P7 P8 P9 P10

P1 through P10
As a personal practice Master Heimberger demonstrates a drill to improve the ability of the practitioner to effortlessly change from one technique to the
other. Photo P1, stand ready. Photo P2 circle your lead hand, P3 continue the circle, photo P3 pull your hand backward into a Jut Sao position, P5 through
P6 punch, P7 through P8 raise your elbow into a Bong Sao. Finish the movement by dropping your elbow down and inward in photos P9 through P10 to
find yourself back into a ready position to start over once again. Do this movement 100 times, then turn your body and do the same movements again 100
times for the opposite side. This drill is recommended three times a week until proficient.

Page 84 COMBAT May 2007

PE1 PE2 PE3 PE4 PE5 PE6 PE7

PE8 PE9 PE10 PE11 PE12 PE13 PE14

PE1 through PE13

These photos illustrate how to use the principle of changing hand technique while stepping. This is a very important drill as it will teach you how to co-ordi-
nate your hands with your legs. In photo PE1 stand ready, next shift your weight to the left leg, photo PE2, as you begin to circle your right hand. Step forward
using your left leg as you continue to circle your right hand, photo PE3. Finish the step and the hand circle, photos P4 through P6. After the step is made and
the circle is complete you will then jerk your hand back in a Jut Sao position, photo PE7. Continuing to stand in a back stance fire your right punch forward,
photos PE8 through PE10. Now in photo PE11 withdraw your lead leg and then the rear leg into the ready position once again as in photo PE12. Finish the drill
by turning your body into a right stance and raising your elbow as a deflective movement as you can see in photos PE13 through PE14. This drill maximises
the power of your hand technique due to the stepping forces applied, and should be repeated on each side for 10 minutes each day until proficient.

ways. For instance, you might kick your
attacker in the lower leg when he charges in.
You would then follow up with strikes to the
torso, neck or head until he is no longer able
to continue his assault.
In order to use this principle of change,
you must also understand the principle of
flexibility. This is used in a self- defence sit-
uation primarily as the ability to change.
When you think of flexibility your first
thought may be of gymnasts or dancers
who are able to contort their bodies in
seemly impossible ways while not being
injured. This is one type of flexibility and
definitely the further your range of motion
the less likely you are to be injured in a
fighting situation. However, for most of us
we just cant maintain that type of flexibili-
ty. Moreover, this type of flexibility is not
really required for self-defence. Although,
you would need to be flexible to execute
the flashy high kicks seen in movies, these
kicks are rarely effective in actual situa-
tions. Flexibility then must be understood
as the ability to change.
TM1 TM2
A simple exercise known as single stick-
ing hand can be used to develop the princi-
ple of change in your techniques. Begin by
starting in a tan sau or palm up position.
Have your partner lay his hand on top of
yours, with his elbow in, and his wrist bent
so his hand rests on your arm. This move-
ment is called fook sau or bridging hand.
The drill begins when you turn your hand
and attack with a palm strike to the middle
of his body. Your partner then sinks his arm
downward in a movement known as jum sau
or sinking hand. If you are relaxed and flexi-
ble your arm will move downward with his
pressure while remaining in contact with his
arm. Now your partner can attack with a
punch toward your chest. You can deflect
his punch by using a bong sau or wing arm
movement. As your partners punch travels
forward, you will rotate your wrist inward so
your thumb points downward.
Keeping some force in your wrist, you will
let your arm turn over and use your elbow to
deflect the punch to the side. This deflection
is accomplished by protracting your scapula
TM3
forward, which pushes your elbow over.
From this wing arm position, you can simply
drop your elbow down towards your centre-
line into a tan sau or palm up position.
When your partner than responds by sticking
to your arm with a fook sau, you will be able
to continue your sticking hand drill.
Although, this drill seems difficult, with prac-
tice it will become instinctive.
When you combine the principles of
change and flexibility you will find that you
have a vast arsenal from which do defend
yourself and an innate ability to stay one step
ahead of an attacker.
About the Author:
Master Ron Heimberger is a direct disciple of
Grandmaster Ip Ching, he is one of the
Directors of the Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) Ip
Ching Athletic Association. Sifu Terry Estcourt
represents Master Heimberger in the UK, any-
one interested in learning and training Ip
Ching Ving Tsun may contact Sifu Estcourt on
07958451718 or visit us on the internet at
www.ipching.org
TM4

TM1 through TM4

This is an alternate drill that is actually a partner drill, it helps sensitivity of the arms which gives you greater reactions and is called Chi Sao, or sticking
hands, do to the fact that both partners stay connected at the arms. Photo TM1, partner A is connecting from the top as partner B connects from the bot-
tom side. Photo TM2 partner B begins his attack forward as partner A jerks his hand downward as a defensive movement to redirect the attack. Next part-
ner A begins to launch a counter attack in photo TM3. Photo TM4 illustrates the last movement as partner B sticks to the incoming attack and redirects the
punch by raising his elbow and pressing the punch to the side. This drill is done like this for at least 10 minutes then change positions and repeat. Now,
repeat the same thing again, except this time use the opposite hands.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 85
 H THE LIONESS!
UNLEAS
Ten points that c o u ld
Robin Horsfall
v e
s Real Self
sa -Defence for Women
oted Karateka and SAS vet-
N eran Robin Horsfalls latest
production An SAS sol-
diers guide to womens self
defence is a ruthless and effective
way for any woman to save her life
if violently attacked. It is a no
holds barred system of fighting that
requires very little training. The ten
items laid out below are easy to
remember. In the awesome 90
minute DVD former SAS soldier
Robin Horsfall teaches 4 women in
six hours how to save their lives and
tests them to the limit.
Robin will be doing a seminar at
Seni 07 on Sunday 20th May. Call
seminar co-ordinator Tony on 02476
331239 or book online, visit -
www.senishow.com
For a full interview with Robin
on his highly effective but controver-
sial Womens self-defence teaching
methods, get our sister magazine
Traditional Karate this month.
You can contact Robin directly
by calling 07788196575 or visit
www.londonkarate.co.uk or
www.robinhorsfall.co.uk
your life
Ten points that could save your life
1. Never fight for anything except
your personal safety.
2. Always try to escape or get
help first.
3. Always give up possessions
as trade for your safety.
4. If you have to fight, fight with
all the force you can muster.
5. Go for the eyes, throat or groin.
6. Pinch, bite, scratch, tear,
rake and gouge
7. Use any items you can find
as clubs, stabbing weapons
or projectiles.
8. Hurt the person severely
enough to make good an
escape.
9. Worry about the law when
you are safe.
10. Remember the worst that
can happen if you fight is
the same as the worst if you
dont fight. You might die!
COMBAT May 2007 Page 87
THE GIFT OF FEAR!
would like to introduce you to a

I particular skill we all have but

most of us do not realise the gift we
were all born with. The name of
this gift is instinct. The gift can
affect us in different ways, from the hairs
on the back of our necks standing to
attention to sweating profusely and ulti-
By Keith Gray

mately to fight or flight. Instinct comes

in many disguises. Understanding the
phenomenon can be frustrating, therefore
let me explain its many disguises. The
lift opens in a dark and dingy housing
estate block and inside is a rather grue-
some scruffy individual; your survival
signals tell you not to get in the lift at
this precise moment and to just let the
lift go as you are not in any particular
hurry. You know you only have one
decision to make, which is to let the lift
go and wait for the next one.
Unfortunately human behaviour is so
complex you can think three or four Here are some points to look out for: Last but not least, never ever except a
times faster than the average person can No means No; favour from a stranger as you will be
speak, so within the time the doors open indebted to them.
to the time the doors close you may have Unsolicited promises are only given
already decided that this poor guy is when you clearly do not believe what Hopefully anyone who reads this
down on his luck and is probably harm- is being said; article will understand the gift of fear.
less. Anyway, it will really be embar- Too many details - when people are
rassing to let the lift go. Well guess telling the truth they dont feel the Oss!
what happens next? The gift of fear sig- need for additional information;
nals were there but you decided not to Be-aware.co.uk - for a latter insight into
listen; why on earth trust or worry what Charm and niceness - is this person the gift of fear. Contact any bookshop.
a undesirable stranger thinks? Does he charming or is he trying to charm me; com under the name of Gavin de Becker.
deserve to take your gift and toss it to The word we should always send a
one side just because you gave him the survival signal to your brain as no
benefit of doubt? If instinct was a gift stranger deserves the right to associ-
then doubt will be the death of you. ate themselves so closely to you.

COMBAT May 2007 Page 89

 Training For Hostile
The
Environments...
ave you ever had to edge that aggression and danger are not restricted to conflict
Russian
Chronicles
With Aran Dharmeratnam
H travel to a country
where there is a major
crime problem? Has
your job ever required to you
to enter potentially hostile
areas; we must be prepared for events and actions that could take
place in seemingly non-threatening places.

environments or are you the adventurous type who likes to
explore far away lands? Today, many people feel that they need
more specific training to make them better prepared for foreign
environments or conflict zones. Now, some of my previous fea-
tures have focused on the close quarter tactics utilised in the
Russian hand- to- hand systems. For the purpose of this article,
we are going to take a look at how some of the Russian survival
training can be applied to the subject of travel safety. I would also
like to share insights based on some of my own experiences.
Definition
This term: foreign conflict zone refers to those areas around
the globe where there is instability and unrest. It represents an
area where there is fighting, violence and hostility taking place.
The violence may involve military and police forces. The fighting
may be a result of civil unrest or political tension. The conflict
may be between warring factions or it could be based on the
actions of terror groups. We have to take into account that often
aspects of the conflict may spill into more peaceful areas. You
may remember an incident that took place about five years ago in
South East Asia, where militant gunmen in the Philippines carried
out a raid on an island holiday resort. It was the tourists who were
taken hostage. These people were not a part of the conflict; they
were simply trying to enjoy their holiday. So we should acknowl-
Initial Preparation
Some of the dangers that travellers can face can include: mug-
gings, kidnappings, and aggression based on racial or political
tension. In conflict zones, there is also the danger that a civilian is
caught in a crossfire. This is a problem for many journalists and
foreign correspondents. Prior to any visit to foreign places, there
are number of pre travel measures that need to be carried out. I
cant stress the importance of research. Try to find out as much as
you can about your destination. Use the resources at your dispos-
al. The internet has certainly become one of the most accessible
research tools. But in using this tool, here are some words of
warning: there are many websites that provide excellent back-
ground information about travel destinations and their potential
for trouble; there are also lots of information channels were there
is very inaccurate information and entirely too many urban leg-
ends. Be careful of the advice given on certain web forums,
unless you are confident that the source of this info is genuine.
Some posters may exaggerate the hazards and dangers; others
may take a more macho stance, by down playing the dangers.
State of mind
It is good to be cautious about unfamiliar destinations, but
dont let people put fear into you about the place you are visiting.
You need to hear the facts, and understand areas to be avoided;
but you dont need to be stressed out unnecessarily. When I first
arrived in Moscow, I remember talking with an expat, who had
lived there for sometime. He started to tell me that as a foreigner I

there are other

In extreme situations
ance our chance
qualities that can enh
lude our stamina
of survival. These inc .
al and mental agility
levels and our physic
Russia's great out doors

Page 90 COMBAT May 2007

was placing myself into a very vulnerable environment. Then
came the stories about his encounters. His stories concerned me
initially; then I realised that the man was a very anxious person
and many of the situations he had ended up in were the result of
his own total lack of awareness.
In training, one of the things people hope to gain is a better
understanding of fear control. Along, with this see how you can
prevent fear from being absorbed. This is another aspect of aware-
ness training. We need to be alert and we need to familiarise our-
selves with the activities that take place within our destination. At
the same time, we need to keep our awareness skills under con-
trol, filtering any fearful emotions or thoughts. Fear leads to stress
and stress will fatigue the human psyche. Over an extended peri-
od, stress can dampen energy levels and awareness levels.
Physical maintenance
In the Russian martial arts, there are many physical exercises
and the psychological exercises are designed to help the practi-
tioner to keep himself in good physical condition. These exercises
can be carried out as maintenance work, to ensure that the body
remains functional, mobile and responsive. They are accessible
exercises; you dont require a vast amount of floor space or spe-
cial equipment. How does this relate to training for hostile ter-
rain? Well, when we are working in foreign environments, it
essential that we stay healthy and fit. By taking responsibility for
our health and fitness, we can ensure that we have energy and
vitality. There are some parts of the world, where you really dont
want to fall sick! On a more simple level, when we are in good
physical condition, it is easier for us to become more aware of our
surroundings. Some people who work abroad, may be involved in
very mentally demanding work. Their mind has to work at a very
intense level. But this type of work can be just as fatiguing as
some manual forms of work. Thats why certain physical exercis-
es can be useful; because by focusing on the body and movement,
tension can be allowed to escape from the mind.
Other health measures
Of course, there are other areas to consider. Personal hygiene
is very important when faced with challenging living conditions.
Be selective in regards to what you eat and where you chose to
eat. The same applies to what you drink. It is important to keep
hydrated, especially if you are in a tropical or desert environment.
At the same time, you have to be selective about drinking sources.
Is the water in that bottle of mineral water you just bought, really
from the mountains or from some rusty tap?
Sensitivity to environments, food and conditions
In training with the Russians, I have been able to pick up many
interesting survival tips from people who have had to operate in
deserts, jungles and other extreme places. Here is one tip relating
to water consumption: If you need to drink water, when the body is
very hot, perhaps after intense exercise or fatiguing travel, try to
sip the water. Dont gulp it down too quickly. This is especially
important if the water is very cold. It was explained that it can be
beneficial to keep the water in the mouth for a brief moment. In
this way it gives the body a chance to adapt. It helps to quench
thirst and it reduces the waters chill factor. I mention this tip
because sometimes, when I have been in a foreign environment, it
has helped me to develop a basic sensitivity to water quality and
food quality. This is not something mystical. By using our sense of
taste and smell, we can become aware of what it is we are consum-
ing. This has obvious uses when we are working abroad and want
to avoid food poisoning. It is not a full proof method, but it does
provide another way to limit the damage. Some of the Russian sur-
vival experts have other interesting drills for increasing awareness
of environmental conditions and how they affect our body.
Presentation
Another area of study is body language. By training with indi-
viduals who have backgrounds in field intelligence and security, I
was presented with other unique angles to consider in relation to
travel safety. The way we walk, the way we stand and the way we
move can provide predatory eyes with much information. There
are many self-defence books that advice people to stand tall and
The way we walk, the way we
stand and the way we move can
provide predatory eyes with
much information. There are
many self-defence books that
advice people to stand tall and
look confident, when moving
through hostile terrain.
look confident, when moving through hostile terrain. I am sure
you have heard this advice many times. But one thing I would
like to mention is that there is a fine line between looking confi-
dent and looking aggressive. Furthermore, in some environments,
its not so much about looking alert or confident; it is more essen-
tial that we fit into the environment. Think about it this way- if
you consider a film set- it sometimes best to be like an extra who
is merely a part of the surroundings; as opposed to looking like
the leading cast member. Through the study of body language,
emotions and facial expressions, we can learn how to adapt and
merge with different social and cultural environments.
Choice of clothing
You have to be careful with what you wear when moving
through unstable environments. For example if you are visiting a
country where there is unrest, be careful that your clothes do not
convey the wrong image. People who are trekking in certain
regions should try to avoid wearing combat trousers or military
style clothes. Make sure that any logos or images on your
clothes do not convey an unintentional political statement.
Alternatively, if you have to live in areas where tourists or for-
eigners may be mugged, try to avoid clothes with expensive
labels or brand names on display.
Perception
In extreme situations there are other qualities that can
enhance our chance of survival. These include our stamina lev-
els and our physical and mental agility. All sorts of things can
occur when we dwell in unfamiliar surroundings; and if there is
one thing that will help us; it is the way we perceive a situation.
When challenging incidents occur, we have various strategies at
our disposal, if we remain calm. The key here is to make sure
that the difficulty in front of us does not cause us to despair or
feel overwhelmed. Optimism must be kept close at hand; he is
our bodyguard against fear and panic.
Conclusion
In this article, I have purposely avoided some of the more
obvious travels safety tips. Thats not to imply that these measures
are not important but since they have been mentioned in so many
other articles and books, this article has provided a few other
angles to consider. And no matter what your own reasons are for
travelling; do some research, keep training and stay vigilant.
If you would like to organise training with Aran; then
email him at: aran@globalkick.com www.globalkick.com
or telephone: 07939 678 356.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 91
MODERN COMBATIVES
AND THE FORWARD
AGGRESSIVE DRIVE
Cry havoc and let slip
the dogs of war!
ts a phrase from Shakespeares
I Julius Caesar Act 111 Scene 1,
and Im sure that we have all
heard that phrase at some time
or other. It summons up images
of war dogs, soldiers and mercenaries,
weapons at the ready, straining at the
leash to get into the maelstrom of bat-
tle, who are then released on an unfor-
tunate enemy so that that they can
attack and rip them limb from limb. It
is what we should be like in a violent
encounter against an aggressor - fired
up and ready to do some real damage.
Unfortunately the reality may be
Page 92 COMBAT May 2007
nothing like that. With adrenaline and
the physical effects of danger, we will
be frightened, clumsy, self- doubting.
All the usual suspects there then. In
this situation we have two basic
options; give in or FIGHT BACK!
The latter may be the hardest part -
whoever said that the greatest battle
takes place in the mind had it absolute-
ly right. The willingness to act is the
trigger that starts your counter-attack,
run with it and you can survive, ignore
it and it will be to your detriment.
The ability to deliver a technique
effectively -whether it be a punch, slap,
kick, elbow, etc - rides on our ability to
drive forward. Common sense dictates
that in order to physically end a violent
confrontation we cannot remain com-
By David Armstrong
pletely static or fight going backwards.
In short we cannot fight defensively.
Fighting defensively by its very nature
means losing, and that at point we
should take our attack to the attacker.
Either that or suffer the very dangerous
consequences of inaction. By contrast
close combat is designed to aggressive-
ly engage an enemy. How? By taking
ground from him, closing him down
and hitting him hard. Its not rocket-
science and its not pretty to look at -
but boy is it effective.
One of the most important lessons I
have learned in my 20 years of close
combat involvement is the ability to
get POWER into any strike I deliver.
Power is the movement of our body-
weight forward, plunging the striking
tool through an opponent and out the
other side. There are many different
methods of delivering power into a
strike - not only physical, but also con-
ceptual. One of the concepts that we
train at our combatives programs (and
have done for many years) is SWAMP.
SWAMP comes from the late com-
batives instructor Bob Kasper and his
GHCA organisation and is an excel-
lent tool for getting into the correct
mental and physical state for an
aggressive forward drive.
For those who have not come
across this acronym before SWAMP
stands for;
Stay relaxed - keep your body as
loose as you can
Weapon Moves first - do not telegraph
your strike
Accelerate - the strike
Move - in the direction of the
target
Plunge through - drive through the tar-
get and out the other side
SWAMP is a superb example of
using a conceptual tool to get the indi-
vidual into that fight state that can
turn a violent assault around in favour
of the good guy. With the effects of
adrenaline and imminent danger, our
body does a number of things that can
actually help with taking the attack
into the attacker. We drop our body-
weight, lowering our centre of gravity
- thus leaning our bodyweight forward
and moving into the target area. As an
analogy imagine a man standing
halfway down a hill with an out of
control train hurtling towards him - he
has no chance of stopping a large
object that has gained that much
momentum. You have to be that train.
From here we have to overwhelm
the attacker/aggressor with a flurry of
power-driving strikes, forcing him
back. We literally have to take
ground from him replacing his back-
ward steps with our forward steps.
After all, a man cannot fight effective-
ly whilst going backwards, due to the
speed of attack and sheer body dynam-
ics. He will effectively be on the
back foot. As an example of this, we
train the hammer-fist as a gross motor
skill/stand alone technique. This
involves using a closed fist, and using
the meaty bottom part of the fist in a
hammer-like striking motion, either
vertically or horizontally.
But when this is combined with a
forward aggressive drive drill, it pro-
vides a skill set that can turn the tables
on a violent aggressor. In our training
programs I have seen much smaller
men literally pound 6ft plus individu-
PTS001/01
als into the mats. Impressive stuff.
Now apply that basic concept to a
real world application.
Imagine you are backed against a
wall down an alley. In front of you is
a 6ft groc who is intent on kicking
lumps out of you for an imagined
slight. Your overall plan is obviously
to escape, but in order to do that you
have to drive through your new best
friend to get to freedom. Your back is
to the wall - what can you do? You
have no other option but to launch an
attack, or as I tell the guys who train
with us - you have to be like the shark,
ALWAYS going forward. After that
the most important part is continuation
- dont allow him to re-orientate, turn
that pause to his advantage and re-start
his attack. You MUST keep the
momentum by driving him down until
hes a bloody mess on the floor or no
longer a threat to you. Pressure, pres-
sure, pressure.
Aggressive forward drive can not
only give us a physical superiority due
to its ballistic effect, it can also help us
to develop an aggressive mindset - or
Mental Combative Attitude as we
teach on our Modern Combative semi-
nars. After awareness and avoidance
topics, instilling combative attitude (or
aggression as it is normally known)
into the seminar attendees is a vital
key in providing them with a winning
attitude. This can be done in a num-
ber of ways ranging from mental
imaging, kinaesthetic learning and sce-
nario based applications, and can all
be brought together to create a skill set
that gives the individual the chance to
tap into theyre previously undis-
turbed darker side.
However training the forward drive
without using aggression is a recipe for
disaster. The student will be just going
through the motions, and for effective
self- protection training it needs to be
combined with full on mental attitude
to make it work. One without the
other is basically an obsolete weapon.
To use an analogy, if the mental atti-
tude is the Gun - then the forward
drive is most definitely the Bullet!
Stay safe
David Armstrong has been involved
in close combat training for over 20
years. A professional security consul-
tant, he runs the Modern Combatives
Group which regularly trains both civil-
ian and specialist security personnel in
self- protection, close quarter combat-
ives and personal weapons skills.
For more details please visit:
www.geocities.com/combativeuk

BE A BODYGUARD
We are now offering the SIA approved City & Guilds
Level 3 Close Protection Officers Award.

Are you Disciplined? Dont stagnate!

Do you like new challenges?
Take your Martial Arts to the next level
Are you focused?
Do you wish to put your skills to the test?

Currently there is a shortage of qualified close protection officers in the UK.

If you have ever thought of working in this industry, or would just like to own
an official Close Protection Officers badge, then look no further:

This is a course run over 16-21 days of intense instruction tailored for the UK
CP market

Interested? Our next 50 places are at a cost of 1950 (the most competitive
rate in the UK)

For more information contact Principal Training Services

Web: www.principaltraining.org

Tel: 0121 525 8984 Fax: 0121 553 7475 Email: info@principaltsltd.com
COMBAT May 2007 Page 93
 Pre-emptive striking is legal too - provid-
JUSTIFYING THE USE OF ed the threat is imminent, i.e. you honest-
ly think the bloke in front of you is about

FORCE
to attack you.
Common Law, the Criminal Law Act
and other aspects of Statute Law give the
legal basis on when or why to act.
Proportionality is achieved when there
are no other equally effective measures
with significantly lower medical implica-
tions; and necessity is when using person-

A legal argument
ll martial artists, irrespective of
By Ben
no banned techniques. These terms are
al safety skills other than force (conflict
resolution skills etc) have either proven
ineffective or would not be appropriate
given the circumstances (e.g. the assault
has already started). Perhaps the key
Ryder thing to understand is that you are
responsible for your use of force, you

A their desired training outcome,

carry certain responsibilities
towards their training, and obvi-
ously this is increasingly true for
instructors. I am yet to see an advert for
a martial art related activity class that
does not profess to address the issue of
self- defence, yet very few instructors
comment on or deliver training on legal
aspects on the use of force.
banded about to qualify a bunch of tech-
niques or a perspective and are used as
good marketing tools. The concept of
banned techniques has arisen as institu-
tions and corporations have attempted to
limit corporate liability in environments
where use of force is common place:
health care is a good example, even the
door supervisor company I work for pro-
cannot be told to use a certain amount of
force or vice versa - you have to judge
the circumstances and respond in a way
you truly believe to be reasonable.
There is a regularly repeated phrase
throughout all of the use of force legisla-
tion following the use of words such as
proportional or reasonable, the phrase
is given the circumstances. The circum-
stances give the context of the inci-

We are privileged to be able to dent, or more appropriately your
access a diverse range of combat- honest perceptions of the incident.
ive styles and systems forged in
foreign cultures in some cases over
A person may use such force The circumstances mean that an
individual cannot respond in the
many centuries; but it is key to
remember that the cultural forces
as is reasonable in the same way every time and expect to
be fully justified in his/her actions,
in the location the system was
devised and at the time it was
circumstances as he honestly and must therefore be considered
before action is taken. The circum-
devised will have influenced the
training methods, the actions con-
believed them to be in the stances also dictate that different
people will respond in different
tained within the system and its defence of himself or another ways to the same stimuli, as they

philosophy/morality in application. are based on perception - hence
Our culture is broadly defined - Lord Lane, Williams v Queen, 1984 disagreement on what is propor-
within our legal framework, though tional to the circumstances.
not limited by it, and should be studied hibits the use of improvised weapons There are three basic steps to deter-
by those teaching self- defence. Law is when forced to defend oneself, even mining the use of force: a profile of the
complex - but like all aspects of our train- though such actions can be justified in the aggressors behaviour and incidental
ing, the very minimum we should have is right circumstances. impact factors, both of which help
an awareness to the issues, concepts and The basic proposition of UK law is determine a reasonable response (judged
consequences. that the use of force is illegal unless it is from the medical implications of the
Id rather be tried by twelve than car- justifiable as proportionate to the threat applied technique). Profiling the
ried by six and the law is your other encountered, conducted on a legal basis, aggressors behaviour can be done by
enemy are often cited perspectives on and the actions are absolutely necessary. assessing what they are doing in order
the legal ramifications of self- defence, The Human Rights Act of 1998 sets out to achieve their objective:
and while I do agree with the sentiment many basic rights (the most important in Verbal Intimidation and Gestures - non-
behind the statements they are hardly suf- this area being 2: right to life, 3: prohibi- physical threat
ficient for the responsibilities of teaching. tion of torture and inhuman treatment and
Thankfully the people who wrote such 7: protection from punishment without Passive threat - for example, preventing
statements did have a good theoretical legal basis) that we have - both the preda- you from passing by
and working knowledge of the law, tor and the prey - and these rights could Active threat - for example, they make
because on an area potentially so costly a be interfered with unless the action is contact to control or provoke you
more substantive knowledge should be legally justified. This previously existed Assaultive threat - for example, their
required of us. Incidentally, I dont view under Common Law and Section 3 of the actions are to hurt you
the law as an enemy; it has kept me safe Criminal Law Act 1967 which both state
for the vast majority of my life. The law that a person can use force that is reason- Threat to life - the aggressors actions are
sets a standard of living in which we are able in the circumstances to protect them- to cause long term serious injury or death
truly lucky to have, a brief look in the selves from attack, prevent crime or assist The classification is of the persons
international news will give examples in the lawful arrest of criminal at large. actions - not their intentions i.e. ...they
where others are not so lucky. What is more: A person may use were trying to mug me... is not a portray-
Before we delve into the meat of the such force as is reasonable in the circum- al of the behaviour, instead a description
topic a couple of myths need to be dis- stances as he honestly believed them to of the force they were using to achieve
pelled: there is no such thing as Home be in the defence of himself or another that goal would be most pertinent. The
Office approved techniques and there are (Lord Lane, Williams v Queen, 1984). aggressors objective - type of crime -
Page 94 COMBAT May 2007
would be an incidental impact factor. This is too high then maybe it is time to fight nique and the receivers ability to deal
is specific to the incident, and in this par- as the boundaries change when you start with that trauma - but these are the inci-
ticular case the nature and severity of the valuing the life of a loved-one. dental impact factors, which will again
offence will influence what you can justi- The response you employ should be influence your decision making process.
fy. To illustrate, an attacker may use force judged afterwards by the medical impli- I said it proportionality was simple and
to steal your car and use the same level to cations of what you do in relation to the despite this quite deep analysis it
abduct your child - there is a clear differ- threat (behaviour profile + impact fac- remains so in theory and application:
ence in the [non-pecuniary] cost and so tors). So a way of looking at proportion- develop strategies for high risk, medium
different actions would be justified. ality would be medical implications of and low risk incidents. If you respond in
Other incidental variables may be: threat influenced by impact factors a way that is too high or too low, then
age, gender, size, strength, skill, intoxica- against the medical implications of the you encounter resistance or demolish the
tion by drugs or alcohol, numbers response. The greatest problem with this resistance, and adjust your use of force
involved, injury, location, time of day, is that medical implications can be a bit accordingly to achieve your aim of
presence of weapons, mental illness, of a lottery: the number of head punches escape, survival or detention.
experience of the person, and personal/ that get thrown on a Friday night must By looking at why certain situations
learned experience. All of these factors register in the thousands, most of which are high risk or low risk, we help students
relate to both parties - the aggressor and end up resulting in a sore head or black to be more responsible in their actions,
the defender and are relative: bigger, eye, but then there is the odd one-punch- develop their understanding of training
smaller, drunk, more skilled etc are ways kill. The same can be true of any joint and improve their awareness to conflict
of highlighting the differences between crank, takedown or throw - people cant and the aftermath.
you and them, and it is important to note break fall - they fall over and hit the
can work against you as much as for you floor and so the result can be head
(How long have you been doing martial injuries or fractures. So what can you
arts? So you have skill then?). do? Well you can categorise areas of the
The behaviour profile and the impact body into groups of roughly the same
factors create the circumstances - they are medical implications:
the diagnosis, which requires a method of
Lower risk: muscle groups, resulting in
treatment. While it has taken over 400
pain, loss of balance or dead arm/leg
words and a few minutes reading to
describe the circumstances, the actual Medium risk: joints or bony surfaces, res-
process takes very little time in the ulting in intense pain or possibly fractures
majority of cases. As the situation moves
Higher risk: head, neck and throat, where
through the phases of conflict you pick
there is an increased risk of causing long
up, most of the time subconsciously, on
term serious injury or death
aspects of body language that are intimi-
dating or gestures showing a heightened The implications are tough because
state of aggression, process verbal threats they will be dependant on the amount of
and encroachment on personal space, try force used (full strike, short sharp jab-
and work out what the hell they want, and bing attack, slap, gouge etc) and the per-
a threat level is reached in a matter of sons ability to deliver the applied tech-
seconds, sometimes even quicker when
referring to flinch reflexes.
Then there are response options:
Evade or Surrender - where possible avoid
conflict or just give them what they want
Negotiate - use verbal control and body
language to avoid violence
Stun and run - make a quick escape
Stun and detain - detain the person for
the police
Stun and finish - unable to detain, so
higher force is used to immobilise them
The above simply escalate the level of
involvement from avoidance, talking your
way out and, if left with no other option,
then use physical means. The concept of
surrender is sometimes viewed with
resentment - and sometimes is not an
option due to the nature/severity what the
attacker wants, but sometimes it could
just be a good way of avoiding injury. By
assigning financial value to things then
you can see their real worth, to illustrate:
a criminal wants your mP3 player or they
will give you a kicking - you could fight
for it, or maybe if you give it to them
they will go away. It goes against some
peoples moral fibre, but you can always
buy new possessions; if however the cost
COMBAT May 2007 Page 95
 L to R: Saeed, Neil,
Gavin and Lee
Karate works in the
eil Grove arrived in the UK from
N South Africa in December 1996 with
the intention of being a barman but
at 6 7 and 22 stone, it was obvi-
ous he was going to end up working the
doors. After about 4 years he decided to
return home but there was a problem - he
had fallen in love with a stunning blonde from
Essex and 13 Months later they were married.
As a result of a brawl in the Kings Cross dis-
trict, Neil was to meet another huge influence
on his life, Gavin Mullholland. Believe it or
not, Neil hate fighting because as a child, his
family moved around a lot and as a
result Neil got into a lot of scraps at
school. He lost a few, but after a
while started winning and ended up Then my opponent entered and I
fighting boys and young men much
older and bigger than himself. thought of calling it off right there
Despite being somewhat scepti-
cal at first, Neil started training with and then. He was just as big as me,
Sensei Gavin in his martial art,
Okinawan Goju Ryu. In the first ses- 3 inches shorter, but weighing in
sion Gavin laid down the law but
2lbs heavier, an enormous man!
Neil wasnt impressed - Here was
this 6, 13st , man telling me, 67
22st how things are going to be! It
wasnt until later that I realised I wasnt dealing
with an ordinary man. We were practising thigh
kicks but I wasnt convinced, so I asked Gavin
to demonstrate. He agreed. The next thing I was
on the floor in pain I cant describe and still
dont fully understand. He just told me to join
the class once I was ready and walked off! I
loved it from that day to this.
His Goju training gave Neil more self- con-
fidence and eventually led to him becoming
Head Doorman, wherever he decided to work.
In June 2005, five years after he first entered
Sensei Gavins dojo, Neil achieved his Black
Belt and reached the grade of Shodan. Like
many, he had been watching the UFC
(Ultimate Fighting Championship) and other
MMA fighting competitions on TV with interest
but Neil had been a Black Belt for 18 months
Page 96 COMBAT May 2007
Neil in traditional Gi
when it finally came into focus for him - he
wanted to fight in that cage!
After 10 years on the door, Neil knew that
his Goju worked in that arena - but what about
the Cage? I was, and remain, confident in my
ability to protect myself or my loved ones, how-
ever, my competitive nature kept asking the
question - what about the Cage? I had to see
what I was made of. Could I apply what I had
been taught? With these questions still ringing
in his ear, Neil had six weeks to prepare for his
debut in the cage, and was nervous to say the
least. Neil trained at two gyms, either in
London or in Strood (Kent). Sensei Gavin runs
the Goju Ryu training in London and most of
what I know as a martial artist, he has taught
me. His knowledge and way of training has
made him feared, respected and loved by oth-
ers in his trade. Closer to home, I train with Lee
and Saeed of Medway Submissions in Strood.
Twenty years ago Sensei Gavin had himself
fought in no-holds-barred fights and was very
open to the idea of me fighting in a cage.
Luckily and thankfully he took it upon himself to
concentrate most of his time in the dojo training
me on a one-to-one basis.
One evening Neil walked into class late
and was totally unprepared for the test that was
to follow, as Gavin himself gloved up. After
three minutes of getting my behind kicked, I
thought I was going to rest, but he soon had me
on the floor mounted and defending from the
onslaught that was to follow! He was obviously
fitter than I thought! Two minutes later while he
rested, I had to carry on and spar Tunde - a
ferociously fast Black Belt at the club. This was
immediately followed by a very hard-hitting 6
5 Black Belt called Dave (Big Dave to everyone
else). Both of these men will be attempting
their Goju Nidan (2nd Dan) this summer, which
will include a 30 Man Kumite, amongst other
tests, so they are extremely fit and both very
good fighters! They rested and it started all
over again, first Sensei, then Tunde, then Dave.
And whenever they seemed to look
tired, Sensei would throw in Sempai
Goran (4th Dan) and a few others
just for good measure!
During the course of the train-
ing they worked mainly on Neils
weaknesses, focussing on take-
down defence or clinching.
Training in Strood with Lee and
Saeed was also a new experience
for Neil. Lee was the event organ-
iser and founder of Extreme
Fighters. They have fighting com-
petitions quarterly and have been
doing so for over 10 years now. Lee is a spe-
cialist in Brazilian Ju Jitsu and has won several
wrestling competitions in the past, and not so
long ago. Saeed is a world champion in his
weight division freestyle wrestling, and turned
Pro MMA just recently. At my first session, I
soon realized that none of them were training
there for fun of it. They were all professional
fighters. Some retired but still willing to show
the youngsters old tricks, and willing to be
punch-bags as it were, when necessary.
Neil stopped drinking any alcohol or fizzy
drinks 6 weeks before his fight and started
eating sensibly, smaller portions but often and
in the process lost over a stone in weight.
Three days before his fight, Neil stopped
training and started focussing on relaxing.
One of the biggest hurdles Neil had to over-
 Neil doing the business in the cage!

Cage!
come was the thought of hurting someone else
to prove he could do the business in the cage.
Sensei Gavin helped me by reminding me that I
was a martial artist and that I would be entering
the cage to challenge myself and to test my abili-
ty as a fighter. My opponent might be a martial
artist or he might just be a brawler but both
would be aiming to do me some serious damage.
Either way I should honour and respect him for
allowing me to test my ability, and afterwards
thank him, whether I win or lose.
And so fight day arrived and the nerves start-
ed to kick in. The nearest I could compare what
I felt like at that time, was how I felt the morning
of my wedding day! Half an hour before the
fight, Gavin and Saeed helped Neil stretch out,
warm up and keep calm and focussed. Neil had
brought 160 supporters there that night but
couldnt hear all their cheers and words of
encouragement as his heart was beating too loud.
Then my opponent entered and I thought of call-
ing it off right there and then. He was just as big
as me, 3 inches shorter, but weighing in 2lbs heav-
ier, an enormous man! It was his opponents
debut too and I cant put into words exactly what
happened next. It went so fast - 55 seconds fast in
fact. My preparation and strategy had worked and
in less than a minute of the first round, the referee
stopped the fight and awarded a TKO in my
favour. I was over the moon. I had won. The roar
and chants that came from my supporters and the
rest of the crowd, was deafening - and this time I
could hear it. I felt proud and I had done my
trainers and Sensei proud too. I had entered the
cage and I had won.
By the time you read this, Neil has since won
Goju Ryu exponent
Neil Grove wins his
in the cage but is philosophical about his new
cage career - I am a martial artist and I test
myself through combat. Whatever happens I
know my roots and foundations are solid. I cant

first two cage fights!

even imagine what my life would be like without
martial arts and if it werent for the training Ive
received from Sensei Gavin and Goju Ryu, I would
never have entered the cage!
COMBAT May 2007 Page 97
THE WON
Watford Open Nationals
O
Michael Page n the 28th February, the sec-
ond Watford Open
Nationals were held at the
Sports Centre in Hemel
Hempstead, organised once
again by Dave and Becky Ryan, from
Watford Freestyle Kickboxing School.
They managed to build on a very success-
ful competition last year, by adding
Brown and Black Belt sections for the
children, Open Weight Sections for
Ladies and Men and Veterans Sections for
the Men. With over ninety eight cate-
gories this year, seven areas ran simulta-
neously. These again covered all sections
from a Childrens under 122cm Semi
Contact category to Forms and Xtreme
Tricks Battles (XTB), which was a new
concept devised by Dave Ryan specifical-
ly for this competition last year.
There were well over 700 competi-
tors on the day, with good support
from South East Academy (Corey Cain
Page 98 COMBAT May 2007
and Peter Edwards), Fu Jau (Master
Bedlow), Phoenix (Anthony Claydon)
and a very good attendance from
WFKO and Cadoxton UTI From Wales.
Also lets not forget Predators who were
also out in force! We even saw com-
petitors from as far away as Italy and
Northern Ireland. Watford Freestyle
managed to field a squad of 45 com-
petitors, many of whom were sampling
their first major competition, and sur-
prised themselves by taking home tro-
phies. These included 1sts for Raees
Sayed for the Boys -130cm Semi
Contact category, Alfie Edwards in the
Boys -130cm Light Contact Category
and Andrea Kokkinos in the Girls 15
Years and Under Novice Section.
The finals of the Open weight
Sections were contested by Michael
Venom Page from Predators and
Robbie Hughes of Liverpool Freestyle for
the Men and Bev Sturzata from NSKA
and Lorraine Reilly of Liverpool Freestyle
for the Ladies. They were excellent con-
tests, with Michael Page and Beverley
Sturzata claiming the crowns and Prize
monies of 150 each. These were spon-
sored by TSA Martial Arts and Watford
Freestyle Kickboxing.
There are too many winners to men-
tion individually, but congratulations go to
Darryl Gallagher of Liverpool Freestyle,
who took home a 1st for the Boys -
150cm Coloured Belts Semi Contact cate-
gory, Andrea Smith of Fu Jau, for a 1st in
the Girls -160cm Mixed Light Contact cat-
egory, Ruth Nelson of Phoenix for a 1st in
the Ladies -65kg Coloured Belt Semi cate-
gory and Grant Gibson of Crawley SKF
who took a 1st in the Mens +75kg
Coloured Belts Semi Contact Category.
The Childrens Team event was won by
Team Renegade from Watford Freestyle,
who received a Top Ten Head Guard
each, sponsored by Dave Lowe from
Bytomic Distribution. The Adults Teams
were won by NSKA from Leyland and
each member received a pair of SAP box-
ing Gloves, sponsored naturally by Peter Beverley
Edwards from SAP. Well done both Sturzata
teams! The Forms sections were also well
supported again this year, with Ruby
Plansan taking four 1sts! Ryan Doyle
from Airborne Entertainment, Liverpool,
won the XTB section for the second year
running with his amazing routine. You
needed to see it to believe it! Well Done!
Dave and Becky would like to say to
everyone who attended on the day, thank
you for helping to make The WON 2007
another success. To all of the referees,
helpers, table people and dogsbodies,
thank you, thank you for your help and
support, we couldnt have done it without
you. Steve Dixon, you are as always,
wicked, and Joe Tierney, nice to see
you! Hope to see all of you again in
2008, hopefully end of January, beginning
of February, but dates yet to be con-
firmed. Info can be obtained from Dave
Ryan on Mob: 07956 948667 or 01923
235599 or by e-mail to dave.ryan@wat- www.watfordfreestyle.com. Photographs
fordfreestyle.com , Or alternatively keep a of the event can be viewed at www.
look out for details on our Website: catchitquick.co.uk/viewyourphotos.html
Team Renegade
COMBAT May 2007 Page 99

MATT
PRICE
KUGBS Captain Retires from competition
M
att Price has trained in
Traditional Shotokan karate
with the KUGB for the last 25
years becoming an
International KUGB competitor in 1992.
He was given the position of KUGB
Captain in 1999 and achieved 5th Dan sta-
tus under Sensei Andy Sherry in April
2005. Now, after 22 years of competition
and as a great ambassador for the KUGB,
this battle-hardened and respected warrior
has decided to retire from competition.
Why have you decided to retire?
I have been competing a long time now,
and feel I want to concentrate more on
my teaching and coaching. I have agreed
to do the World Shotokan Karate
Championships in September and maybe
the European Championships at the end of
the year but that is it.
What has competition Karate given you?
Competition Karate has been fantastic for
me. It teaches you to overcome fears and
disappointments. Many times I have gone
out of a competition and been frustrated
and annoyed with myself. I have learned that
the best thing to do is get back in training
and work out what went wrong and what I
can do to put it right. It teaches you to have
confidence in your own abilities and skills.
What do you think of your years
as a KUGB competitor?
I am very proud of my competition
career. Everything I have ever won has
come from hard work. I am not blessed
with bundles of natural talent. I have spent
many hours working out what I need to
do to become a winner.
With the KUGB I have had the oppor-
tunity to train with and compete against
some of the worlds finest karateka. Karate
has also taken me around the world. I
have been places that I would never of
had the opportunity to visit and I will
always be grateful to the KUGB for every-
thing it has done for me.
Most memorable Fight moment and why?
Winning the ESKA (European Shotokan
Karate Association) title in November 2006.
This is a massive title to win and I have
been trying to win it for about 15 years. I
had been fighting well all day and had not
been scored on in any of my fights leading
up to the final (6 fights to get to the final) In
the final I met Serafin Blanco-Granes of
Spain who was also having a great days
competing. At the end of time we were tied
on half point each, and it went to first to
score. He attacked and I timed him to the
punch. When I saw all the flags signalling
my point I was very happy to say the least!
Toughest opponent and why?
Alexander Gueronov. He has incredible
kicking skills and he uses his long body so
well. You think hes in distance for an attack
but as you go he weaves away leaving you
short. He can be very frustrating to fight!
Personal philosophy?
Train Hard or Go Home!
Combat magazine wishes
Matt all the very best
in his retirement.
TITLES
2006 ESKA European Individual
Kumite Champion.
KUGB Grand Champion
3 x KUGB National Champion Kumite
3 X KUGB National Champion Kata
16 x UK Grand Slam Kumite Champion
2 x Best European Competitor title
English International Open Silver +80kg
A full list of titles can be seen on
my web site at www.lka.org.uk
COMBAT May 2007 Page 101
 First off Cris talks to Glyn Smith a 4th

DOUBLE IMPACT! Dan Karate who is Chief Instructor to a

British Organisation

An open forum with CRIS JANSON-PIERS: Hiya Glyn What

would you recommend that people look
Master Cris Janson-Piers for when searching for a new club or dis-
cipline and how would they know if the
& Kerry-Louise Norbury club was of good standard?

What to expect from a club or GLYN SMITH: To be honest a lot of this is

down to common sense. Any worthy
instructor should be fully accountable. He

organisation as standard Part 1 should be able to show you his own licence,
grades and insurance and also his suitability
for working with the public especially
minors in this very popular past time fre-
quented heavily by children.

CJP: So how do you know their qualifi-

cations are legitimate or of the required
standard?

GS: A difficult one at the moment. The best

Professionally run clubs offer fully certified and recognised grades
n todays constantly changing and ments they have to continually look at.
guide is that there are a number of very
large organisations involved in martial arts. If
people are affiliated to one of these they
are showing their willingness to be governed
by their rules and policies. You can be
assured the larger organisations run in line
with as many legal requirements as possible.

I demanding society, whether these are

from the student/customer, or the
powers that be such as insurance,
government or governing bodies, we
thought we would have a basic look at how
individual clubs or organisations are made
up and what considerations or improve-
We hope this account will allow people
to make further considerations or comments
that we will gladly include in future articles
so that they may aid the further advance-
ment of safety within our sport. There are
so many areas to be discussed that we can-
not possibly cover them all in one article
CJP: So you are not saying that if its a
small group keep away from them?

GS: No not at all, but martial arts tuition

but hope we have included some of the
main points. As a student or prospective
student of a club it may serve as a guide to
ensure your first steps are heading in the
right direction. As a club instructor it may
help you realise what support and facilities
should be available to you.
Never hesitate to ask questions. Any
instructor, club or organisation should be
confident to impart information freely if
they are following good practice.
During this article we will involve dif-
ferent instructors within the question and
Happy members, thats answer sections to give as much different
what we all want to see!
opinion as possible.
and groups can be very fragmented today.
Even the smaller groups can show they are
acting responsibly by being directly
involved or registered with other bodies
who are known for their high standards or
integrity within the sport.
We move on to Mr Mark Helders, a
Child Protection Officer appointed by
one of the martial arts organisations.
KERRY-LOUISE: Hiya Mark, I personally
consider that, although all the points
raised already are very important, Child
Protection is one of the most essential.
Obviously the main priority is looking
after the welfare of all minors within the

When asked about Organisation policies and procedures, Cris
Janson-Piers, who in the course of his work is involved with several
of the larger martial organisations stated, No matter how we all try
to stay within the guidelines and procedures, there are many changes
constantly taking place. Hopefully these are for the good and will
help towards creating a better and safer martial arts environment.
These very same points relate to clubs as well as Organisations and
Associations with some of the main areas of importance being:
1. A good constitution
2. A set of Organisation guidelines
3. A Child Protection Policy
4. On-site First Aid training leading to First Aid qualifications.
5. A yearly course for all instructors to go through new procedures or
legislation. By the time this article comes out it will be compulsory
for all persons involved in teaching, including after school clubs, to
hold an enhanced CRB check. This is another great move in my
eyes.
6. Risk Assessment procedures and documentation.
7. Insurance requirements and guidelines
8. A clear display of responsibilities within the organisation.
9. A list of accepted styles recognised by the group and the rules and
regulations applying to all disciplines. (Some clubs do take part in
competition under different bodies with varying rule interpretation)
This list could go on and on.

Page 102 COMBAT May 2007

sport and then secondly the laying out of
clear and precise information for all
adults working with the children, hopeful-
ly producing a safe and pleasant envi-
ronment for all. What made you take on
this responsibility?
MARK HELDERS: Having children of my
own and nieces and nephews within the
sport, along with studying martial arts
myself, I realised very quickly the impor-
tance of correct procedures within class and
also what I see as an extension to the club
activities such as travel, socialisation outside
competitions and courses. I therefore took it
upon myself to study Child Protection in
depth and take relevant qualifications,
before offering my services to the group I
was involved with.
Good distancing
puts the children at ease
KL: Thats really good Mark, has it been
rewarding?
MH: More than rewarding! I love my posi-
tion and it is met with open arms from
everyone. I travel around classes through-
out the country at random, checking on
everyone. Its great as the instructors actual-
ly welcome me, as is proper, as they should
have nothing to hide.
KL: Can you lay out some main points
that relate to your job?
MH: Wow, an endless task! Some of the
main areas are:
Firstly we must make sure that any child
who is a student is comfortable in the
presence of all the qualified staff who
are to be teaching or advising them.
The adult staff are advised on correct
and incorrect or poor procedure and
are educated to a standard that both
myself and the organisation are satis-
fied with.
The child should be able to have a good
rapport but still respect authority.
Kerry-Louise gives an account on what
she would look for when looking at a new
club through the eyes of a student or,
more importantly, a parent placing a child
in a contact sport.
First of all I would search out clubs
from sources such as Yellow Pages,
www.yell.com or via other internet sources,
maybe looking at local clubs who may be
affiliated to the larger organisations (As
this is an independent view we will not
publicise one group over another).
Although titles are not the be all and end
all it is nice to see the instructors have
attained a high level themselves.
A World Champion
instructor is not
the be all and
end all but it is
something for
the children and
adults to look up
to and aspire to
These are just examples but what I am
trying to get at is look at Instructors and
clubs who are very up front about their
activities. On the whole these are the guys
who are placing themselves in front of
many eyes, including the authorities and
the tax man.
This commitment, expense and
accountability is usually a good ground to
at least check the club out and formulate
ones own opinion. Do not go to a club and
be forced into joining. You or child should
look at different styles (Some of the rep-
utable groups involve many disciplines
under one roof; if YOU are not sure on the
first night, how is your child supposed to
The instructors should look at each stu-
dent and their capabilities independently
and always bare this in mind whilst
matching students up in terms of size,
strength, capabilities or limitations.
I think some people forget one thing, we
are not trying to make people feel uncomfort-
able, we are trying to create a safe, harmo-
nious and enjoyable environment and child
protection policies are there for the good of
both the child and the adults.
I could go on!
KL: Mark, you do a very thorough job, I
can see why parents and children can
feel reassured!
make up their mind?) Take your time in
selecting what you think is best, do not get
three months into your training and realise
its not what you wanted.
Another area to beware of is member-
ship. A membership that is solely devised
to save you money may be good, but do
not commit to a one year No get out
contract. If your child ceases training
after three months you may be paying for
the next 9 months for nothing! (The drop
off rate in youngsters is high and actually
happens around the three to four month
period, so be warned.) Although I started
at 7 years old and have been training con-
tinuously up until last week when I was
26 and I do not intend to stop yet! Pay
per lesson may seem old hat in the age
of the credit card and finance, but it is
added piece of mind if its an option.
When participating in a first visit
expect to be asked several questions so the
instructors can assess your suitability and
formulate an early risk assessment. These
should be such as:
Your name
Parent or Guardian details
Contact and/or Mobile Number
Illnesses or Injuries
Are you Asthmatic and do you have
your inhaler (with your name on it)?
Have you done any Martial Arts before?
Most clubs will want to see your par-
ents also on the first visit to show them the
facilities and explain the safety procedures
and pick up times for the club. A simple
form will help ensure a safe but speedy
induction and ensure the parent has given
consent by the way of a signature.
After taking part in the lesson the
instructor will usually speak to the student or
the parent of children to check if the lesson
or style etc was suitable and then suggest
further suitable training dates. Most mem-
bers usually attend at least twice a week. A
very important point is re-assessment of the
club and instructor after you have been train-
ing for a while. Is the service level still the
same or were you sold false promises by a
good salesman, not an instructor?
Finger tip contact to
guide the students
COMBAT May 2007 Page 103
 THE CAGE / OCTAGON
Cage Rage bouts take place in a 32
corner-to-corner, fenced octagon.
The Octagon floor shall be covered with a
protective, shock absorbing mat at least
40mm in thickness, with a clean, tightly
stretched canvas covering.
The Octagon covering shall be securely
attached outside the cage sides.
The Octagon uprights and cross beams shall
be covered with a smooth padded material.
The Octagon platform shall be solidly con-
structed, shall be stable and level, and shall

NEWS
CAGE RAGE 21: Judgement Day
The Beast finally fights in the cage!
ts the talk of the MMA world; Cage
have no uneven areas. The Octagon
entrance / exit shall have locking bolts to
hold it shut during competition. A solid
walk way shall be used to travel to and from
the Octagon entrance / exit.
Wembley Arena 21.04.07 Live on Sky Sports 3
CAGE RAGE HISTORY
Cage Rage Championships, also known

I Rage and UFC staging shows on the

same night, with many worrying for
the British Organisation, as the might
of the Americans invades our shores
in Manchester. Well, Cage Rage looks
more than up for the challenge with the
signing of the larger than life Beast, Bob
Sapp, who will fight inside a cage for the
very first time. Alongside this, Cage Rage
has just announced that the show will be
aired live on Sky Sports 3 (therefore no pay
per view fees) for the very first time, a gen-
uine landmark for MMA in this country and
a statement that has got the forums quite
literally buzzing.
FIGHT CARD
Robert Berry versus Bob Sapp
Vitor Belfort versus Igor Serati
Cyborg Versus James Zikic
Daijiro Matsui versus Mark Weir
M.M.A. (summary)
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact
unarmed combat sport that permits tech-
niques from a range of disciplines, includ-
ing, Boxing, Thai Boxing, Wrestling,
Submission wrestling, Judo and Ju Jitsu.
Techniques from any Martial or fighting art
that are not deemed to be a foul in the fol-
lowing text may be used.
as Cage Rage, is a United Kingdom-based
mixed martial arts promotion that premiered
on September 7, 2002 in London. It has
grown to become one of the UKs most pop-
ular promotions.
Cage Rage is promoted by Dave
ODonnell and Andy Geer, who have also
served as on-screen personalities for Cage
Rage TV shows and DVD releases. Cage
Rage events are shown on Sky Sports, along
with a weekday show on TWC Fight! Cage
Fighter, a daily magazine show that has
proved hugely popular.
Cage Rage boasts links with some of the
top MMA camps in the world such as AMC

BOB SAPP VITOR BELFORT

One of the giants of the MMA world, in every sense, Sapp is
a star of movie proportions in Japan. As a College Football star, it
was a surprise that his pro-football career came to nothing and
Sapp went on to pro-wrestling, where he won the IWGP World
Heavyweight title with New Japan Pro-
Wrestling. Whilst in Japan he caught the
attention of the Pride organi-
sation and quickly estab-
lished himself as a fan
favourite, overwhelming
his Japanese opponents
with sheer brute strength
and wind-milling punches.
From Pride he moved to K-
1 where he quickly
achieved notoriety, twice
defeating Ernesto Hoost before his
bullrush tactics were clinically
exposed by Mirko Cro-Cop. His K-1
career ended in controversy when he
failed to show for a fight against
Ernesto Hoost in Holland, despite
having weighed-in and turning up at
the venue. Now he is to fight in
Britain, where he was rapturously
received at Cage Rage 20 by the
audience. Cage Rage 21 will be his
UK debut and Buzz Berry will
have to go to infinity and beyond to
cause an upset and beat The Beast!
Brazilian Belfort is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt most noted
for his early UFC career, where he became the Light Heavyweight
champion at a young age. He has also fought in
Pride and his career with both major compa-
nies has been chequered-In the UFC he
stopped Tank Abbott and Pride sensation
Wanderlei Silva in devastating style but
could not better Randy Couture (they
fought on three occasions) and narrowly lost
to Tito Ortiz in a fight many felt he had
won. In Pride he has defeated Gilbert
Yvel and Heath Herring but lost to
Alistair Overeem twice. Known
for his superb hand-speed and
striking skills it was no sur-
prise to see the phenom
fight pro-boxing and he
won his debut by KO in
round one. Vitor made his
Cage Rage debut at Cage
Rage 14, dominating the
dangerous Antony Rea,
before stopping him in round
2. It was vintage Belfort and the
crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Since then he has been criticised for
a passive Pride performance against
Dan Henderson, so hopefully the
Cage Rage fans will inspire him to
greatness once more.

Page 104 COMBAT May 2007

 Evangelista Cyborg Santos throws a kick in whats been dubbed the best ever Cage Rage
bout when he fought Melvin Manhoef at Cage Rage 15
Pankration and Chute Boxe Academy, who
have had fighters competing since the first
Cage Rage event. Cage Rage started out at
Ceasars nightclub in Streatham but, as its
popularity grew, moved first to the Wembley
Conference Centre and then the larger
Wembley Arena. Along the way it has creat-
ed a number of stars, including Anderson
Silva, the current UFC Middleweight World
Champion, Melvin Manhoef, now with K-1
and Zelg Galesic, recently offered a Pride avoiding and blocking of strikes, reversals
Contract. Big name stars on the show have from pins and mount, escapes from sub-
included Mark Kerr, Vitor Belfort,
Butterbean, Matt Linland, Dan Severn, Kimo
and home-grown superstars Mike Bisping,
Ian Freeman and James Thompson.
For far more on Cage Rage 21:
Judgement Day, look out for our sis- assess area b, and so on.
ter magazine Fighters this month.
SCORING
The most commonly used scoring sys-
tem used for MMA competition is the 10
Point Must system. Each round of a con-
test is scored individually and if no sub-
mission or KO occurs, these are totalled
up and a decision announced.
The winner of a round will be awarded 10
points, and the loser 9 points or less.
Criteria that the judges will be assessing,
in order of priority, are as follows: -
a) Effective Aggressiveness. This is deter-
mined as the fighter showing most effort
to win. It is of no use to simply be aggres-
sive. The fighters effort must be effective
effort.
b) Effective Technique. This area
includes Striking, Clinch Work,
Takedowns, Submission attempts,
Transitioning, and Positioning.
c) Cage/ Ring Control. This is assessed
by determining which fighter has used the
fighting area to his / her advantage the
most.
d) Defence / Escapes. This area includes
missions i.e. transitioning to avoid a sub-
mission, etc. etc.
The above areas are to be used in order
of priority, and each consecutive area is only
considered if the preceding one has been
determined to be equal for both fighters. If a
fighter dominates area a there is no need to

CYBORG DAIJIRO MATSUI

Chute Box team member Evangelista Cyborg Santos fea-
tured in the best ever Cage Rage bout when he stood toe to toe
with Melvin Manhoef, the Tyson of MMA, at Cage Rage 15.
Described by many as a mini-Wanderlei Silva,
(a team-mate) fans love Cyborg for his all-
action style. With 14 wins and 9 losses on his
record, Cyborg is very much a fighter in
the mould of Mark Epstein, who he beat, in
that he will either win or lose in spectacular
fashion. Since his loss to Manhoef in
that epic fight, Santos has strung
together a 3 win sequence,
interrupted only by a decision
loss to Nakamura, fighting
within the Pride Organisation.
He comes back to Cage Rage
after a victory in Pride, a sub-
mission at Pride Final
Conflict Absolute, secured
by rear naked choke in
round 1. His fight at Cage
Rage 21 promises to be
another spectacular bout, as it
sees the return of our very own
James Zikic, a superb stand-up
fighter looking to set the scene
alight once more. He was last seen
at Cage Rage 8, where he beat
Mathias Riccio but Cyborg will
prove a much sterner test.
Matsui has become something of a Cage Rage favourite, with
his fight anyone, anywhere attitude, some-
thing that he has brought to the UK from
his days with the Pride organisation. A
flamboyant character, Matsui has fought
the very best Pride has to offer and
whilst the notches in the win column are
few, he has given most a real battle,
including Wanderlei Silva and the afore-
mentioned Vitor Belfort. He has fought
four times already at Cage Rage, los-
ing only once and used to train
under Nobuhiko Takada, one of
Japans biggest shoot-wrestling
stars, alongside his training
partner, the legendary
Kazushi Sakuraba. With such
a pedigree its no wonder that
Matsui is such a handful and
the relief when he got back to
winning ways at Cage Rage 20
was obvious for all to see, as he beat
Tom Watson with a spectacular arm-
bar. Now he faces another man des-
perate to get his career back on track,
Mark The Wizard Weir, who lost in
emphatic fashion to Zelg, ironically a
man Matsui was matched to fight
against but Zelg pulled out through
injury. Small world, isnt it?

COMBAT May 2007 Page 105

 8. Small joint manipulation.
9. Striking to the spine or the back of the
head.
10. Striking downward using the point of
the elbow.
11. Throat strikes of any kind, including, with-
out limitation, grabbing the trachea.
12. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.

NEWS
13. Grabbing the clavicle.
14. Kicking the head of a grounded oppo-
nent.
15. Kneeing the head of a grounded oppo-

THE UFC HITS THE UK! nent.

16. Stomping a grounded opponent.

UFC 70 Nations Collide! MEN Arena Manchester 21.04.07

17. Kicking to the kidney with the heel.
18. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on
his head or neck.
f you dont know that the UFC is

I coming back to Britain for the first

time since UFC 38 The Brawl at the
Hall in 2002, you must be blind
because the poster seems to be
screaming out from every advertising
hoarding in the country. The UFC is back
and not only is it back with a bang, Dana
White insists that the UFC is here to stay,
with shows scheduled throughout the UK.
UFC 70 is extra special, though, as it sees
our very own Ultimate Fighter Season
Winner, Mike Bisping make his UFC home
soil debut after successfully beating Eric
Schafer at UFC 66 by TKO in round one.
This time around The Count takes on sea-
soned veteran Elvis Sinosic who coinciden-
tally featured on the bill the last time the
UFC rolled into town.
THE FIGHT CARD
(confirmed at time of going to press)
Michael Bisping vs Elvis Sinosic
Mirko Cro-Cop vs Gabriel Gonzaga
Andrei Arlovski vs Fabricio Werdum
Forrest Griffin vs Lyoto Machida
FOULS
1. Butting with the head.
2. Eye gouging of any kind.
3. Biting.
4. Hair pulling.
5. Fish hooking.
6. Groin attacks of any kind.
7. Putting a finger into any orifice
or into any cut or laceration on
an opponent.
19. Throwing an opponent out of the ring
or fenced area.
20. Holding the shorts or gloves of an
opponent.
21. Spitting at an opponent.
22. Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct
that causes an injury to an opponent.
23. Holding the ropes or the fence.
24. Using abusive language in the ring or
fenced area.
25. Attacking an opponent on or during the
break.
26. Attacking an opponent who is under
the care of the referee.
27. Attacking an opponent after the bell
has sounded the end of the period of
unarmed combat.

MIKE BISPING MIRKO CRO COP

From the off, those in the know have tipped Wolflairs Mike
Bisping for greatness and now it seems he is fulfilling his poten-
tial on the World stage with the UFC, after starring as Champion
for both Cage Warriors and Cage Rage. Bisping is skilled across
all ranges, winning his first pro-fight in 2004 by
arm-bar and scoring his first KO in his third
fight. Two memorable wars with Mark
Epstein, Bisping winning both by KO, not
only secured his status as our best light-
heavyweight but also brought him interna-
tional attention. The result was a coveted
spot in the hugely successful UFC
feeder show, The Ultimate
Fighter, which Bisping went
on to win. His growing
stature was cemented by his
win over Schafer at UFC
66 and now he faces Elvis
Sinosic, who recently
also beat Mark Epstein.
Sinosic is competent
on the ground and
striking and is a
well-known name
but Mike is also an
all-around fighter
and (I believe) better
skilled in all departments,
so Elvis could be leaving the
building early in Manchester!
One of the most devastating heavyweights in the World, Croatian
born Cro Cop was a former commando in the Croatian Police,
where he was given the cro cop nickname and is a serving mem-
ber of the Croatian Parliament but it is as a dev-
astating stand-up fighter that he is best known.
Famed for a knockout left roundhouse kick,
Cro-Cop started out in K-1, where he beat
virtually every top international name in a
distinguished career. He moved to Pride,
where he continued this trend, once again tak-
ing many big-name scalps by way of KO,
on his way to becoming Open Weight
Grand-Prix Champion in 2006.
By the time he moved to the
UFC, after the many
rumours that he would be
leaving Pride proved true,
Cro-Cop was an estab-
lished superstar and
quickly established his
credentials in the
States by stopping
Eddie Sanchez in
the first round at
UFC 67. This time
around he faces
Gabriel Gonzaga and not many
would bet against a repeat perfor-
mance, despite Gonzaga having a
pretty decent record.

Page 106 COMBAT May 2007

 Marshall Zelaznik addresses the
amassed media at the recent
press conference in Manchester
28. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions
of the referee.
WAYS TO WIN
1. Submission by: Physical tap out. Verbal sumo and other combat sports. The winner
29. Timidity, including, without limitation, tap out.
avoiding contact with an opponent,
2. Technical knockout by the referee stop-
intentionally or consistently dropping
ping the contest.
the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
3. Decision via the scorecards, including: these bouts became major events.
30. Interference by the corner.
Unanimous decision. Split decision.
31. Throwing in the towel during competi- Majority decision. Draw, including:
tion. Unanimous, Majority or Split draw.
4. Technical decision.
BOUT DURATION 5. Technical draw.
All non-championship bouts shall be three
6. Disqualification.
rounds.
7. Forfeit.
All championship bouts shall be five
rounds. 8. No contest.
Rounds will be five minutes in duration.
For much more UFC news, views and resulting in a growing fan base that has
A one-minute rest period will occur information, see our sister magazine grown exponentially through the years.
between each round. Fighters this month.
ANDREI ARLOVSKI
A superb stand-up striker, it is hard to believe that this giant of a
man was bullied as a boy growing up in Minsk, Belarus and
despite being known as a Kickboxer, his MMA
career started off equally inauspiciously, los-
ing his debut by way of KO. Undeterred,
he went on to win the M-1 European
championships in the year 2000 and
joined the UFC, winning on UFC 28. He
was thrown in at the deep-end, losing
early bouts to Ricco Rodriguez and Pedro
Rizzo but came good when an interim
champion was created due to Frank
Mirs motorcycle injury.
Arlovski became the champi-
on but his career to date will
be defined by his three
bouts with current
Heavyweight champion
Tim Sylvia. They won one
apiece by way of KO
and the rubber match
was an absolute war,
with Sylvia edging the
decision. The big
Belarusian is back, how-
ever and after a first round
KO of Marcio Pe De Pano at UFC
66, he is looking to make Peide vet-
eran Fabricio Werdum his next vic-
tim on the comeback trail.
UFC HISTORY
Started in 1993, the Ultimate Fighting
Championship brand is in its thirteenth
year of operation as a professional mixed
martial arts organization offering the pre-
mier series of MMA sports events. The
UFC organisation follows a rich history
and tradition of competitive MMA dating
back to the Olympic Games in Athens.
About 80 years ago, a Brazilian form of
MMA known as Vale Tudo (anything goes)
sparked local interest in the sport.
Then, the UFC organization brought
MMA to the United States. The goal was to
find the Ultimate Fighting Champion with
a concept to have a tournament of the best
athletes skilled in the various disciplines of
all martial arts, including karate, jiu-jitsu,
boxing, kickboxing, grappling, wrestling,
of the tournament would be crowned the
champion. Once the UFC brand was
launched, MMA popularity surged in Brazil,
followed by immense interest in Japan where
In January 2001, under the new owner-
ship of Zuffa, LLC, the UFC brand com-
pletely restructured MMA into a highly
organised and controlled combat sport. As a
result, the UFC organisation now offers eight
live pay-per-view events annually through
cable and satellite providers. UFC fight pro-
grams are also distributed internationally
throughout the world, including Japan, Brazil
and the United Kingdom. Response to the
UFC brand of MMA has been tremendous,
FORREST GRIFFIN
Griffin was the first ever winner of the UFC feeder show The
Ultimate Fighter and the UFC fans seemed to take his all-action
style to heart, as he seemed to wear his heart
on his sleeve every time he stepped into the
Octagon. His war with Tito Ortiz at UFC
59 saw him a hero, despite losing, as
many felt he had actually won the fight.
Prior to his UFC career, however, Griffin
had already fought some big names, such
as Dan Severn, Jeremy Horn and Jeff
Monson and was unbeaten in the UFC
prior to his bout with Ortiz. The defeat
was seen as a momentary blip but
Griffin was booed when he got
the decision against Stephan
Bonner (The UF1 rematch) at
UFC 62, despite the judges
and professional critics giv-
ing him all three rounds.
Things got worse at
UFC 66 when he was
knocked out by Keith
Jardine and Griffin was
visibly distraught, giv-
ing a disjointed, tearful
interview. Now he is on the come
back trail and trying to re-establish
his fanbase with a victory at UFC 70,
as he takes on Lyoto Machida, who
could give him a stand-up war.
COMBAT May 2007 Page 107
C
APRIL
1
7/8
alendar
M A R T I A L
Taishindo Defence Combat System, vertical grappling workshop,
Dumfermline, Fife. 15, 10am-1pm, contact Stuart 07877
824003 or stuart@taishindo.co.uk
FTAKBA presents April Duel, evening of freestyle kickboxing,
Radlett Centre, Radlett, Herts, doors open 4pm. Discounted tick-
ets if booked on line www.shaolinboxing, tel 07904 079147
International Martial Arts Tournament, Douglas, Isle of Man.
This section is provided as a service to all our readers. If you have information which you would like to
appear in the calendar we must receive it six weeks in advance. Send your entry to Calendar,
Combat, 135 Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2ET. E-Mail: calendar@martialartsinprint.com
WUKO rules, no entry fees, start 10:00am. Contact Frank
Newton 01624 612305.
7 Doce Pares Eskrima seminar with Grandmaster Danny Guba in
Cambridge. Tel: 01223 565020 or email: info@cama.org.uk
8 Disclosures of light from the core, Krishan Godhania presents the
core of sayoc kali, Church Stretton Secondary School,
Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269
14/15 Sports Hypnosis, with Tony Pillage, Coventry, 1am-4pm, cost
125 includes books. Contact John Biggs at
jo.biggs@ntlworld.com or www.sacredspring.org.uk
14 AMA Karate Squad training/selections, Bury/Haslingden, Lancs,
start 2pm contact Peter on 0161 797 1077 for details.
15 Open to all styles championship series, consecutive points, Peter
Paine Sports Centre, Boston, doors open 10am. Call Andrew
01733 810043 www.bostonseries.co.uk
15 BIKO Open Weapons Training Course, Maiden Place
Community Centre, Reading. Authentic kobudo kata will be
taught. Contact The Secretary 01227 369212.
17 Jeet Kune Do workshop, Merseyside with Sifu Alex Jameson,
full instructor under Sifu Steve Golden one of Bruce Lees stu-
dents. 0151 513 8745 ww.jeetkunedomerseyside.co.uk
21 13th Scottish Karate Alliance Children & Cadet Open, Citadel
Leisure Centre, Ayr. 1-5pm shobu-ippon (hand pads) kata,
kumite, contact Bill Hair 07979 222986.
21 Tsuyoi-Ryu, Knockdown seminar, East Grinstead dojo, start
3pm. For details contact Gerry Bryan on 01243 266586
22 Combat Champions League, Event 2 - England. For details phone
0121 344 3737 or Curtis Page 07939 217772
22 The Infinite group presents core trapping/anti grapple, Church Stretton
Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 for details.
22 AMA Northwest Karate Championships 2007, Buy Castle.
Leisure Centre, Bury. For information Contact Peter on 0161
797 1077 or 07939 289711.
22 Close-Quarter & Savate Defence seminar with Ollie Batts in
Cambridge. Tel: 01223 565020 or email: info@savaqte.net
22 AMA Karate squad training/selections,, Bristol, contact Peter on
0161 797 1007 or Simon ama.sensei@btopenworld.com, start 3.30pm
25 AMA Jujitsu seminar with visiting Jujitsu masters, Leeds & Bolton,
limited places. Details from Colin Whitaker on 07759 837193.
28 UK Martial Arts Federation, combat weapons course, Nottingham.
Instructor Phil Mead 6th dan, details from 0115 9702877.
28 AMA course with Oren Gorgov & Kube Mizrahki, Leeds Met
University, 10:30 till 4pm. 20, limited places, must pre book.
Contact Colin Whitaker 079635 02424
28 Zazen Karate Academy, Kata application & kyusho techniques
seminar, 12-3pm, Eastbourne, East Sussex. Call 01323 736389
or 07952 670349 for details.
28 Hokushin Karate Academy/Karate-no-Michi World Federation
(GB) course, Glasgow. Contact Mike on 07879 238089.
28/29 Kanazawa sensei - Open course, Lilleshall National Sports
Centre, Telford. Details 01952 201479 or www.wrekin-
shotokan.com tony@wrekinshotokan.com
29
29
29
A R T S
EMA 2007 Open Championships, Grand Championship Trophy
Day, Boston, The Peter Paine Sports Centre, Roseberry Avenue,
PE21 7QR. Tel 01142 747825 for details.
Northern Open Classic Karate Championships, Sutton Leisure
Centre, Merseyside. Reg 9.00 start 10:00am, for details contact
Brian on 07736 741332.
Judgement Day, Sheffield. Open to all styles, entries must be
paid by 13th April. Contact Brian Beck 0114 2640114 / 0779
1227075 or www.judgementday.co.uk
29 MMA Competition Katana, NKA dojo, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.
Details from Dave Moore 07805 195952 or
katanamartialarts.com email brian@katanamartialarts.com
MAY
5/6 Hit harder, mover quicker boxing concepts - tvp instructors
course with Tommy Thompson & Rocky Sondhi, Nottingham.
Contact tvp Institute on 0115 955 5109.
6 Taishindo Defence Combat System, ground fighting workshop,
Dumfermline, Fife. 15, 10am-1pm, contact Stuart 07877
824003 or stuart@taishindo.co.uk
6 BSKI 1 day course, open to all Karateka, The Oldham Sports
Centre, Lord St, Oldham. For details contact Fred on 07782
345646 or cgidley@bski.fsnet.co.uk
6 Knife Defence seminar with Dr. Crimi, USA Instructor,
Upminster, Essex. For details contact Mike on 01708 620138
(M) 07973 273142 or email mfarmer@btconnect.com
6 NAS Tournament, South East Round 1 K2 Crawley. Tel 0208 715
9955 for details.
10 Funakoshi Memorial training, 24 hours of training, Devon, 20.
The Karate Academy, Newton Abbot, Devon. Call 01626 360999
for more information
11 Prof Rick Clark, Cabra, Dublin. For details contact Jon Mackey
085-7309740 or iutfdublin@eircom.net or www.iutf-dublin.com
11/14 Tsuyoi-Ryu South Harting Spring course Friday-Tuesday
(Camping). For details contact Gerry Bryan on 01243 266586
12 Prof Rick Clark, Rathfarnum, Dublin. For details contact Paul
Hughes 087-8053778 or paulrhughes1@eircom.net
12/13 International Chang Hon TaeKwon-Do seminar with ICTF
Master Mel Steiner 8th Degree, Merseyside. 20 per day, 10am-
6pm. Contact Brian on 01704 876290.
13 The Infinite group presents the pro-active sphere, Church Stretton
Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 for details.
14 Prof Rick Clark, Ennis, Co. Clare. For details contact John
Tunney 087-1249616 or johnjtuney@eircom.net
15 Prof Rick Clark Tralee, Kerry. For details contact Niall
Wright on 086-0526319 or NiallWright@KerryKarate.com
www.kerrykarate.com
16 Prof Rick Clark Castleisland, Kerry. For details contact Niall
Wright on 086-0526319 or NiallWright@KerryKarate.com
www.kerrykarate.com
17 Prof Rick Clark Kenmare, Kerry. For details contact Niall
Wright on 086-0526319 or NiallWright@KerryKarate.com
www.kerrykarate.com
17 Jeet Kune Do workshop, Merseyside with Sifu Alex Jameson,
full instructor under Sifu Steve Golden one of Bruce Lees stu-
dents. 0151 513 8745 ww.jeetkunedomerseyside.co.uk
19 Prof Rick Clark Cork City. For details contact Paul OLeary
086-3545032 or jungshin@mac.com www.jungshin-tkd.com
19 EKR Open Championships, Worthing Leisure Centre, West
Sussex. Tel 01903 877456 or 07880 726167 for details or e-mail
the tournament organiser at Robert@ekr.uk.com
COMBAT May 2007 Page 111
20 BIKO Referee/Judges & Table Official course, Canterbury.
11:00pm-3:00pm, Contact The Secretary 01227 369212 or
07778-169212 www.bik.org.uk
19/20 Seni 07 - The Combat Sports Show, Europes Martial Arts
Exhibition & Festival, ExCel, London. Tickets 8 adults 5 chil-
dren. Ticketmaster 0870 6077477 or www.senishow.com
20 Pain & Glory, K1 Max Tournament plus MT & MMA
Superbouts, ExCel London Docklands, tickets 25, 75 RS,
Ticketmaster 0870 6077 477.
20 Prof Rick Clark, Waterford City. For details contact John
McGrath or Colette Kent on 087-9025141 info@waterfordmar-
tialarts.com www.waterfordmartialaqrts.com
20 Judo competition, Bulldogs, Wallace Sport & Education Centre,
Stoke-on-Trent. Details from Dave Moore 07805 195952 or
katanamartialarts.com email brian@katanamartialarts.com
21 Patrick McCarthy 8th dan hanshi, flow drills & kata applications,
20. The Karate Academy, Newton Abbot, Devon. Call 01626
360999 for details
22 Prof Rick Clark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Contact Brian Toomy on 087-
2500783 ijkaireland@eircom.net www.geocities.com/ijkaireland
23 Prof Rick Clark Bantry, Co. Cork. For details contact Les Elliot
audreybooaudreyles@yahoo.co.uk
26 UK Martial Arts Federation, combat weapons course, Nottingham.
Instructor Phil Mead 6th dan, details from 0115 9702877.
26 Viper Program - Female Self Protection & Personal Security
workshop, Wirral, Merseyside, 9.30am-4.00pm. Contact David
Armstrong on 0793 249 1694 for details
27 Steve Tappin presents the core of street effective escrima,
Church Stretton Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899
801269 for details.
27 Back to Back competition, katana, NKA dojo, Longton, Stoke-
on-Trent. Details from Dave Moore 07805 195952 or katanamar-
tialarts.com email brian@katanamartialarts.com
JUNE
1/2/3 WAKO 12th International Bestfighter Tournament. For any ques-
tions contact Gianfranco at info@bestfighter.com
3 Taishindo Defence Combat System, edged weapons defence
workshop, Dumfermline, Fife. 15, 10am-1pm, contact Stuart
07877 824003 or stuart@taishindo.co.uk
3 BIKO, Level One Coaching Course, Cambridge, must pre book,
12:00pm-4:00pm, Contact The Secretary 01227 369212 or
07778-169212 www.bik.org.uk
3 Doce Pares Eskrima seminar with Percival Pableo & Danny Guba
in Cambridge. Tel 01223 565020 or email info@cama.org.uk
3 AMA karate squad training/selection, Walsall Sports Centre,
Walsall. Cotact Peter on 0161 797 1077 start 14:30 hrs.
9/10 Hit harder, move quicker boxing concepts - tvp instructors
course with Tommy Thompson & Rocky Sondhi, Nottingham.
Contact tvp Institute on 0115 955 5109.
9/10 Master Percival Val Pableo 2 day seminar, Kent open to all.
80 in advance for both days, 100 on the door 10am-4pm.
07932 746642 or info@rapidarnis.com
10 The infinite group presents the re-active sphere, Church Stretton
Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 for details.
16 Hokushin Karate Academy/Karate-no-Michi World Federation
(GB) course, Glasgow. Contact Mike on 07879 238089.
17 31st Cumbria Open Karate Championships, Carlisle. Juniors
start 9am, seniors start 2pm. Entry through club or instructor
only. Contact Doug 016974 73239
17 Open to all styles championship series, consecutive points,
Peterborough, Doors open 10am start 11 prompt. Call Andrew
01733 810043 www.peterboroughseries.co.uk
21 Jeet Kune Do workshop, Merseyside with Sifu Alex Jameson,
full instructor under Sifu Steve Golden one of Bruce Lees stu-
dents. 0151 513 8745 ww.jeetkunedomerseyside.co.uk
22 Midsummers Night Meditation Course, with Jo Biggs and Adam
Vile, Russell Park, Bedford. 7pm start to late, 20. Contact John
Biggs jo.biggs@ntlworld.com or www.sacredspring.org.uk
23 UK Martial Arts Federation, combat weapons course, Nottingham.
Instructor Phil Mead 6th dan, details from 0115 9702877.
24 Combat Champions League, Event 3 - England. For details phone
0121 344 3737 or Del Sampson 07836 555394.
24 Mick Coup BCA presents c2 core combatives anti grapple,
Church Stretton Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899
801269 for details.
24 AMA National British Karate Championships, Harvey Hadden,
Nottingham. Closing date for entries 11th June. Contact Peter on
0161 797 1077 or 07939 289711.
24 Tsyuyoi Knockdown Fighting seminar (Bare knuckle full con-
tact) For details contact Gerry Bryan on 01243 266586
24 Back to Back competition, Bulldogs, Wallace Sport & Education
Centre, Stoke-on-Trent. Details from Dave Moore 07805 195952
or katanamartialarts.com email brian@katanamartialarts.com
30 Zazen Karate Academy, Wespons attacks - and how to survive
them seminar, 12-3pm Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Call 01323
736389 or 07952 670349 for details.
JULY
1 Taishindo Defence Combat System, stick fighting workshop,
Dumfermline, Fife. 15, 10am-1pm, contact Stuart 07877
824003 or stuart@taishindo.co.uk
1 BIKO Open North Eastern Training Course, Cleveland.
12:00pm-3:00pm, Contact The Secretary 01227 369212 or
07778-169212 www.bik.org.uk
7 AMA Coaching course, Karate England HQ, Bisham Abbey, nr
Marlow, Buck. For details contact Peter on 0161 797 1007.
7 Hit harder, mover quicker boxing concepts - tvp instructors
course with Tommy Thompson & Rocky Sondhi, Nottingham.
Contact tvp Institute on 0115 955 5109.
7 Tsuyoi-Ryu Knockdown seminar, East Grinstead dojo,start 30m.
For details contact Gerry Bryan on 01243 266586
8 The infinite group presents the no-nonsense package, Church Stretton
Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 for details.
8 U.M.A British Open Submission Ground Fighting
Championships, Carver Rd Centre, Burton-on-Trent. Entry fee
9, Jim McSherry, 01283 510321 or 07968 310970.
14/15 UKs 2nd FMA Festival, open to all, Kent. 80 in advance, 100
on the door. Party & awards ceremony on 14th. Call 07932
746642 or info@rapidarnis.com
15 Open to all styles championship series, consecutive points, Peter
Paine Sports Centre, Boston, doors open 10am. Call Andrew
01733 810043 www.bostonseries.co.uk
15 Great Britain Savate Federation Savate League Event 2 or 3 in
Guildford. Tel 0777 0226089 or email savateur@tiscali.co.uk
15 Central England 11th Open Karate Championships, University of
Wolverhampton, Walsall. Entry forms form 01902 397650 or
karate@cewka.co.uk
17 Jeet Kune Do workshop, Merseyside with Sifu Alex Jameson,
full instructor under Sifu Steve Golden one of Bruce Lees stu-
dents. 0151 513 8745 ww.jeetkunedomerseyside.co.uk
21 UK Martial Arts Federation, combat weapons course, Nottingham.
Instructor Phil Mead 6th dan, details from 0115 9702877.
22 Combat Champions League, Event 4 - Scotland. For details
phone 0121 344 3737 or Rob Smith 07795 980383.
22 Iain Abernethy BCA presents survival, Church Stretton Secondary
School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 for details.
22 Judo competition, katana, NKA dojo, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.
Details from Dave Moore 07805 195952 or
katanamartialarts.com email brian@katanamartialarts.com
22 NAS Tournament Central West Round 1 Cocks Moor Woods,
Birmingham. Telephone 0208 715 9955 for details.
29 Ground fighting Competition, Katana, NKA dojo, Longton,
Stoke-on-Trent. Details from Dave Moore 07805 195952 or
katanamartialarts.com email brian@katanamartialarts.com
AUGUST
3/5 Taishindo Defence Combat System, sunner training weekend in
Dumfermline, Fife. 50, minimum of 10 hours, contact Stuart
07877 824003 or stuart@taishindo.co.uk
12 EMA 2007 Open Championships, The Derbyshire Open Title,
Ilkeston, The Albion Centre, East St, Derbyshire, DE7 5HW. Tel
01142 747825 for details.
16 Jeet Kune Do workshop, Merseyside with Sifu Alex Jameson,
full instructor under Sifu Steve Golden one of Bruce Lees stu-
dents. 0151 513 8745 ww.jeetkunedomerseyside.co.uk
COMBAT May 2007 Page 113