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MARTIN BYRNECURRENT PKA GRADE: 3rd DAN BLACK BELT
DATE STARTED TRAINING WITH THE PKA: MARCH 1998 FAVORITE TECHNIQUE: Lead Leg Axe Kick MY STORY: I have been hooked on Martial arts since my first Judo lesson when I was 5 years old. After studying Judo, Karate and Boxing and after a Martial Arts break of approximatley 5 years, I finally found Kickboxing and knew it was the dicipline for me. Since joining the PKA I have been lucky enough to be trained by some of the countries top coaches and now have the honour of passing my knowledge onto students at our KICKBOX UK clubs. PROUDEST MOMENT: I get the best buzz and proudest moments from coaching. Seeing people come to the club as nervous beginners and then helping them achieve their personal goals is something I am extremely proud of. |
ROB GUNDLECURRENT PKA GRADE: 3rd DAN BLACK BELT
DATE STARTED TRAINING WITH THE PKA: MARCH 1998 FAVORITE TECHNIQUE: Lead Leg Axe Kick MY STORY: I started kickboxing at the grand old age of 29, havin spent years before going to the gym, getting bored. I saw an advert in my local paper for a pka kickboxing class went along and have never looked back. i have made many friends over the years as well as keeping up my fitness. i have trained and worked with many experts and champions over the 10 years as well as a few kickboxing celebrities who have enspired me to achieved my goals. i enjoy training hard pushing myself, but also helping others by passing on my knowledge in my chosen sport. PROUDEST MOMENT: passing my first dan black belt, for me it has to be the most recogniosed belt in all martial arts, i was buzzing for days after. |
EMMA BLOCKCURRENT PKA GRADE: 2nd DAN BLACK BELT
DATE STARTED TRAINING WITH THE PKA: JULY 2003 FAVORITE TECHNIQUE: Rear Round Kick MY STORY: I've been doing "keep fit" for years since I left school, and after wanting something more than skipping to the corner of a room and clapping(!) I started Boxercise classes. They were a great stress buster, and great for all round fitness and keeping in trim. Unfortunately the classes finished, so I needed something else. Then one day on leaving the local gym, I spotted a board advertising PKA Kickboxing classes. This would then be the next level, as I did miss boxercise. I went to check it out first, to make sure I wasn't going to feel out of my depth (among big bloke bouncer types!), and found a mixture of sizes, ages, levels etc. This was for me!! After my first class I was hooked, and the rest is history as they say, I've never looked back. Doing the belts kept me motivated and gave me a sense of achievement. Each class is different, and after almost 10 years I'm still learning. As a 2nd dan black belt, I love watching the other students as they grow and progress and gain in confidence, and it's good to watch them (some of them seem to be naturals!) so I don't get sloppy with my technique. PROUDEST MOMENT: Achieving 1st and 2nd Dan Black Belts! When I was a green belt I trained once with a purple belt, and never thought I'd reach their level let alone black belt, they were awesome!! However after upping my classes to 2-3 a week and training hard outside of kickboxing (gym sessions and running) to improve my fitness, I was ready! The high I felt when we'd all finished was amazing, I could have done it all over again! Hard work and constant training paid off. Also, the brilliant instructors played their part too of course!! ;o) |
MICHELLE REDMANCURRENT PKA GRADE: 2nd DAN BLACK BELT
DATE STARTED TRAINING WITH THE PKA: APRIL 2003 FAVORITE TECHNIQUE: Scissor Front Kick MY STORY: I had never done any martial arts before and decided to try Kickboxing as a way to improve my confidence and fitness. I enjoyed the variety that Kickboxing offered and each class left me wanting to learn more and improve. After passing my Black Belt in 2007 I was keen to help the clubs grow and to start coaching the junior students. PROUDEST MOMENT: Passing my Black Belt and watching the Cadets progress and grow in confidence |
STEVE WINTERCURRENT PKA GRADE: 2nd DAN BLACK BELT
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SIMON HASLAMCURRENT PKA GRADE: 1st DAN BLACK BELT
DATE STARTED TRAINING WITH THE PKA: AUGUST 2008 FAVORITE TECHNIQUE: Knee Strikes MY STORY: I have trained in martial arts on and off since the age of 11. Beginning with karate and boxing. Moving into kickboxing, MMA, Thai boxing and submission wrestling. I enjoy the body movement, learning different styles, techniques and taking the best from each for my body mechanics. Martial arts will give you life long friendships across a broad spectrum of people. PKA kickboxing offer an enjoyable, safe environment for people to grow and express themselves. Through martial arts I get to travel extensively, wrapping hands, cornering and looking after fighters between rounds. Martial arts is a great team sport offering people confidence, friendship and knowledge what ever your level PROUDEST MOMENT: Watching my two daughters grow in confidence, improve in techniques, become fitter and more confident individuals through PKA Kickboxing |
DAVID POOLECURRENT PKA GRADE: 1st DAN BLACK BELT
DATE STARTED TRAINING WITH THE PKA: February 2009 FAVORITE TECHNIQUE: Tornado Kick MY STORY: I had never considered Martial Arts before my sister said she wanted to try Kickboxing and asked me to come along to the trial class with her. I was hooked immediately. I train as often as I can and try to attend all the extra Fighting Fit sparing classes and seminar sessions, as well as being involved at all the Interclub tournaments, whether I’m competing, coaching or judging. PROUDEST MOMENT: Passing my Black Belt in March 2012 was a great moment for me, after 3 years of hard work. Now as an Assistant Instructor I get a great deal of satisfaction from helping students, whether it be nailing that tough technique, perfecting the grading sets for their next belt, or coaching them to victory in a tournament. |
ANDY SPENCERCURRENT PKA GRADE: 1st DAN BLACK BELT
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SOPHIE CALVERTCURRENT PKA GRADE: 1st DAN BLACK BELT
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