Founder and Chief Instructor

Richard Olpin has been training in the martial arts for over twenty five years and since 2002 he has been 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 record by achieving perfect ‘A’ grade passes in every one of his grading examinations up to Black Belt.

He opened his own Taekwondo 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.

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"

Qualifications:

Full-time professional Martial Arts Instructor
5th Degree Black Belt (link )
International Instructor / Examiner
27 years active training experience
18+ years teaching experience
MASTARR Coaching Award (Level 3)
MASTARR Coaching Children (Level 3)
KEWAP - Knives / Edged Weapons Awareness Programme Instructor
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..

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 dynamic approach to personal development, Richard also provides personal development and life skills coaching both to individuals and groups of all sizes.

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 Gloucestershire local education authority Pupil Referral Unit, working with children who are outside the regular school system due to behavioural and emotional problems.
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

Richard Olpin is available for courses, seminars and grading examinations worldwide. Please contact us here for further information.

Photography

In addition to teaching the Martial Arts, Richard is an accomplished photographer. In April 2011 he was awarded a distinction from the Royal Photographic Society.

Richard utilises his many years of teaching experience to share his photographic skills too, both to individuals in personal one-to-one training sessions, and for larger groups on workshops and seminars.

You can find out more about Richard's photography at: