Nick Wyborn - Kapap - Krav Maga - Israeli Jiu Jitsu Australian Representative, Avi Nardia Academy Nick is a L3 Kapap / Krav Maga Instructor under Master Avi Nardia and is one of the highest ranking Kapap Instructors in Australia. He operates his school ‘Nick Wyborn Practical Martial Arts’ in Mulbring, NSW. He has been graded in Israel and is a Krav Maga Law Enforcement Instructor (Krav Maga Worldwide - Force Training Division), and a 1st Dan Black Belt in Israeli Jiu Jitsu under Sensei Avi Nardia. Nick holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Bujinkan Ninjutsu, 1st Dan Black Belt in Taiho Jitsu, and 1st Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo. He holds other instructor-level qualifications in Modern Defendo, CQC, Police Judo, FMA, FAST Defense, RBPP, Combat Hapkido, Floro Fighting Systems and others and is a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Avi Nardia. Nick is a former NSW Police Operational Safety Instructor (Defensive Tactics/Firearms), and served in the WTTU (Weapons & Tactics Training Unit), a specialist unit within the NSW Police Academy. During this time Nick received specialist tactical training becoming ‘Basic SWAT Certified’ in the USA through the National Tactical Officers Association, as well as becoming a Police & Civilian Response to Active Shooter Instructor. Upon leaving the NSW Police Force Nick became a Security Trainer, specialising in Defensive Tactics, Batons & Handcuffs and Conflict Resolution. Nick currently also works in the community services sector as a senior youth worker working with children with challenging behaviours due to complex trauma, and is also a mental health/first aid trainer. He is trained in occupational first aid, mental health first aid, psychological first, suicide prevention and intervention and is a registered instructor for Stop The Bleed. He is a published author of the book ‘Defensive Tactics for Security Professionals - a comprehensive guide for staying safe in the security industry’ and was recently interviewed as a special guest Defensive Tactics SME on the ‘Managing Violence Podcast’. Nick is regularly engaged to teach courses and seminars around the country.

Maximillian Gusset is a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate Sensei Maximillian is a highly renown and respected martial artist from Zurich in Switzerland and has his clubs in Zurick Switzerland and Fort Lauderdale in Florida USA. Sensei Maximillian has been involved in martial arts since 1984 and began competing in full contact karate in 1991. Sensei Maxwell has notched up a successful competition record firstly via the Seido Kaikan K1 Championships, Kickboxing , and MMA. Sensei Maximillian is currently the Branch Chief for the Switzerland and USA for the Kyokushin AIKO (Associated International Kyokushin Organization) and looks forward to expanding the organization in his jurisdictions. As a full contact fighter Sensei Maximillian know all too well the sacrifices and hard work required to be a champion. Sensei also believes in the balance between Kyokushin Karate and other disciplines that lead to being a champion MMA fighter. The world has changed in the way they view martial arts can sometimes challenge the traditional values of Budo Karate, however this is not the case for a true Budo-ka such as Sensei Maximillian. Sensei understands the deep values attained by traditional Karate and intends to continue the legacy of his style and pass on his champion skills to the next generation. Sensei Maximillian is currently working hard on a World Symposium of martial arts in Switzerland in 2023. The event will be one of the most significant in the full contact karate calendar. You may contact Sensei Maximillian for more details via the Coach Check message service.

Damien Martin is kaicho (Chief Instructor) at Southern Cross Martial Arts. Damien has been training in the martial arts for over 30 years having initially commenced training in Judo in 1982 and then Karate in 1984. Over the past 30+ years he has extended his interest in and explored the history and practices of a variety of martial arts; modern and traditional. Damien has worked extensively with kids and young people both in and out of the Dojo. He started his registered Kidz Karate classes in the 1980’s and has spent decades researching, studying and improving the results. He has extensive qualifications in psychology, education, OH&S and risk management, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies from Griffith University. Damien still works regularly teaching martial arts to kids, some of whom have trained with him for over 25 years (obviously they are not kids any more). Continuing his interest in all aspects of the martial arts he has researched and implemented many traditional aspects into his training, holding a 7th dan in Goki-Kai Karate, a 6th dan in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate, a 2nd dan in Ryukyu Kobudo, a 5th Khan in Muay Thai and is a 4th kyu Kudo Sempai and hold a Green Glove rank in Savate. Damien continues his own study and practice and regularly travels to Okinawa to train with his Sensei, Masaji Taira, Hanshi 9th dan, of the Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenkyukai; as well as in Kobudo with his Sensei Satoshi Kinjo, Kyoshi 7th dan, of the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozonkai. He also trains in China in MingHe Quan (Singing Crane Boxing), a precursor art to modern Goju Ryu, with Master Yu Dan Xiu. Damien is a recognised branch of MingHe Quan and one of very few Westerners practising the art. Damien was inducted into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame for services to the Martial Arts in 2005. Damien founded Goki-Kai Karate in 2008 when he started Southern Cross Martial Arts. Damien is also the co-founder of the Australian branch of the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozonkai group under the auspices of the Kinjo family in Okinawa. Damien worked in the security industry for over 20 years where he was constantly exposed to some of the seedier and more violent characters in our society; an environment where techniques, tactics and training methods had to work! He has been lucky enough to travel the world with his work and has trained extensively in the US and the UK; he has also trained extensively in karate and Kobudo in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate; as well as researched the roots of Karate in Fuzhou, China. Through his experience running an internationally recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Damien is considered to be a pioneer and expert in scenario based self defence training and has been developing and delivering this training within the national training system for over two decades. Damien is highly qualified in the martial arts and associated fields and holds instructor qualifications in Muay Thai Kickboxing and Docé Pares Eskrima; holds ranks in Judo, Kudo, Savate, and la Canne de Combat; and is a member of a number of internationally recognised martial arts organisations including the MingHe Quan Research Group and the Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenkyukai. Damien continues to compete on a National level in kata and weapons kata. He no longer competes in sparring events due to recurrent injuries. Damien is a published author, having co-written a book on firearms and defensive tactics, as well as authoring a number of industry journal articles as a subject matter expert on use-of-force, restraint, restraint related deaths and, of course, martial arts. These articles have been published in Blitz Australasian Martial Arts Magazine, Okinawa Karate News, Australian Hospital and Healthcare Bulletin, and Security Oz Magazine. Damien is also the course developer for the increasingly popular Martial Arts & Autism course, being delivered across Australia.

Jasmine Parr is a champion Muay Thai fighter and sought after coach. Weiging in at 50 KG Jazzy Parr has made her mark on the Muay Thai industry with many titles to her young age. As a trainerJazzy is a business in her own right, attracting many clients from all walks of life. If its a client just wanting to tone up and lose weight or a client who wants to achieve a high performance level, Jazzy is there to provide expert tuition. Jasmine Parr is part of the Parr Team who own and operate the Boonchu Muay Thai Gym on the Gold Coast in Australia. The gym has developed a strong reputation over many years for giving clients what they want, be it a champion fighter, or just a better body. Boonchu Gym provides fitness programs with outcomes far beyond training at a regular gym. Jazzy Parr is born and bred into an industry where long term goal setting is the norm and health, fitness and self defence is the outcome, this knowlledge leaves jazzy with an unfair advantage over others in the fitness business, but is a great opportunity for clients. Boonchu Gym - 7/9 Kortum Drive, Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia 4220 www.boonchu.com

Pablo Cardenas is a Sifu in Wing Chun kung Fu. Sifu Pablo trained in Wing Chun under the legendary Grandmaster William Cheung of which he represents in North Queensland. Sifu Pablo has been serving the community of Townsville since 2005, offering traditional Wing Chung Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA training. . Sifu Pablo is the owner and principal instructor of UMF Academy, formerly NQ Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy. Sifu Pablo began his training at age 14 and has been a devotee of the art ever since. In 1984, Pablo enlisted in the Australian Regular Army and in his 21 years of service he was selected for an exchange program with the UK Ministry of Defence and was deployed to East Timor as part of the UN peacekeeping task-force. Sifu Pablo has trained with numerous military units around the world, including the US Army, US Marine Corps and the Gurkhas. Sifu remains active in the Australian Army as a reservist and is at UMF Academy instructing full-time. through his understanding of martial arts and military life Sifu Pablo has been able to change the lives of hundreds of students that have trained in his school, Sifu Pable is dedicated to the betterment of his students ohysically, mentally and morally.

Richie Ivory is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and accomplished MMA coach Richie Ivory began his martial arts training at an early age, his father supported his efforts and encouraged the young athlete as he competed in Irish and European Championships in Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. In 2005 Richie deided to expand his knowledge and left for Australia where he continued his Brazilian jiu jitsu training under the Ben Hall / Carlson Gracie BJJ Academy. It wasnt long before Richie was noticed as he began to make a strong impact in the local BJJ and MMA competitions. Richie was offered a job to manage the Bendigo Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Bendigo Central Victoria where he drew a large number of students, many of whom went on to chalk up some significant wins in the tournament circuits. Richie himself entered some of Australia's most significant MMA circuits and became a local celebrity amongst enthusiasts. Richie Ivory is not just a champion fighter he is also a family man who needed to move his Irish family back home and continue down his chosen path of teaching martial arts. Richie Ivory opened his school in Gorey County Wexford, and it has grown ever since. His wealth of knowledge and compassion for his students have made him a well sought after coach on two continents. Richie Ivory believes in ethical and professional practices in martial arts, and is an advocate for child safety and positive physical and mental development through martial arts. Richie has a variety of titles in Brazilian jiu Jitsu and muay thai and competes at a professional level in MMA. Richie has already trained a very strong stable of fighters in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, many going on to compete well in regional and state titles. Richie operates the Richi Ivory Jiu Jitsu Academy in Ireland where he has already gained a great following that includes junior and senior students.