Master Richard Olpin

Founder and Chief Instructor

Richard Olpin has been training in the martial arts for nearly twenty five years and since 2002 he has been a full-time, professional instructor.

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 record by achieving perfect ‘A’ grade passes in every one of his grading examinations up to Black Belt. He opened his own Taekwondon school in 1995 which then further expanded in 2001 when 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 Richard left his day job as a Software Engineer 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 November of the same year he received an award from the British National Martial Arts Association for his contribution to Martial Arts in the UK (link). In 2009 Master Olpin was further honoured with an instructors award from Black Belt International.

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.

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.
  

Qualifications:

• Full-time professional Martial Arts Instructor

• 5th Degree Black Belt (link )

• International Instructor / Examiner

• 25 years active training experience

• 17+ years teaching experience

• Inducted into the Worldwide Martial Arts Hall of Fame as
  “Master Instructor of the Year" 2004 (link)

• BNMA National Instructors Award for contribution to the development of the Martial Arts (2004) (link)

• Black Belt International Instructors Award 2009 (link)

• Full Enhanced CRB Check available

• Full Professional Liability Insurance

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..

"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

Specialised Courses and Seminars

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.

With his highly motivated and motivational approach to personal development, Richard also provides personal development and life skills coaching both to individuals and groups of all sizes.

• Founder and Chief Instructor of a successful full-time martial arts school, the Ilyokwan Black Belt Academy

• Specialised self-protection courses in schools including both practical self defence, ‘stranger danger’ workshops, anti-bullying etc.

• Worked with the Avon and Somerset Police to provide self defence courses for the “Youthwatch” programme in South Gloucestershire.

• Provided specialist training courses for local education authority Pupil Referral Unit, working with children who are outside the regular school system due to behavioural and emotional problems.

• I’ve worked with Tiger Aspect television as a martial arts advisor for a television show for Channel 5.

• Selected by Jetix Television (Part of Disney) to host a special “Channelling your Energy for Good” event at my school. One of only 15 instructors in the UK invited to take part.

• Regular contributor to charity fundraising events, including school visits for LEPRA and organised/hosted annual events for charities including: Cotswold Care Hospice, Make-a-Wish, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Gemini Trust.

• Featured instructor at SENI, the worlds largest Martial Arts show at the NEC Birmingham.
  

"Excellent in every way -
enthusiastic and dynamic in delivery.
The pupils wanted more, as did the staff!!"

- Mr W Griffiths, Head of Year, Nunnery Wood High School