Master Richard Olpin

Founder and Chief Instructor

Richard Olpin has been training in the martial arts for over twenty years and is now a full-time, professional instructor.

He is a fifth degree black-belt, with extensive experience in a number of martial arts, including Taekwondo, Karate, Ninjitsu, Tai Chi and Torite Jutsu.

For more than ten years Richard was a member of one of the countries largest ITF style Taekwondo associations where he set an unbreakable recod by achieving perfect ‘A’ grade passes in every one of his grading examinations up to Black Belt. Leaving this group 2001 he set out to broaden his horizons and to enable him to expand the scope of his teaching beyond the constraints of a purely Taekwondo based association. Shortly after this he left his day job as a computer programmer to concentrate full time on teaching martial arts.

In February of 2001 Mr Olpin was awarded the title of 'Master' and in June 2003 he was promoted to the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt.. In June 2004 Master Olpin was honoured with an induction into the Worldwide Martial Arts Hall of Fame ain the category "Master Instructor of the Year" (link).

In addition to his teaching at the Academy, Master Olpin is available throughout the United Kingdom and internationally for specialist courses, seminars, grading examinations and consultancy. Please use the contact form for more information.

"Excellent in every way - enthusiastic and dynamic in delivery.
The pupils wanted more, as did the staff!!"
- Mr W Griffiths, Head of Year 7, Nunnery Wood High School

International Recognition

Master Olpin’s grade and position as the head of the Ilyokwan School is recognised internationally. He is a Black Belt member of the following organisations:

• International Taekwondo Federation (U-ITF)
  Grandmaster Hwang, Kwang Sung K-9-1
  (view master Olpin's certificate HERE)

• Black Belt Schools International

• The Martial Arts Industry Association

• National Association of Professional Martial Artists

• Dragon Society International

• Worldwide Martial Arts Hall of Fame "Master instructor of the Year"

• UK Martial Arts Standards Advisory Commission.

Real World Experience

A specialist in practical self-defence and close-protection training, Richard has worked for a number of years on the door at various pubs and clubs as well as providing security for concert and recording artists at various venues.

Master Olpin has provided security services for many international recording artists including Paul Young, Bob Catley, Wishbone Ash, and many more.

"We never lacked anything when Richard looked after us"
- Gavin Rossdale (Bush, Institute)

"Mr Olpin is my first choice for security at our events.. I know that when I hand security matters over to him he will be handle everything in a responsible and trustworthy manner." - Kris Weston

A firm believer that quality knowledge is based on practical experience, Richard passes on this knowledge both at the school, and to students on specialist courses and seminars. Richard runs his own company ICT Protection Training, which was set up to provide training in all aspects of personal protection to both individuals and specialised groups such as door staff, security teams and bodyguards.

Richard is currently writing a series of books and video on Martial Arts and Self Protection

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