Meet our head instructor: Sabeom-Nim Jamie Hubbard
|
BiographyI have been practicing different styles of martial arts for over 38 years, I started off training in the style of Shotokan Karate at the local youth centre and was hooked straight away. Sometime later, I moved on to study Korean karate under the instruction of John Gannon at the leisure centre on saffron lane, Leicester.
As I started to move up through the grades, I began to investigate other styles and what they may offer me as a martial artist. I started a plumbing course at Leicester South Fields College and came across an advertisement for a style of Korean martial arts called Kuk Sool Won and decided to pop along and take a look. I was amazed by the diversity of the style, from its application of pressure points; joint locks, throws and weapons, it seemed to be just what I had been looking for and decided to join up under the excellent tuition of Kyo Sa Nim David Johnson. After studying Kuk Sool Won for a while, I unfortunately had to take a break from training and focus on work, and eventually moved to Cornwall. Upon my arrival, I decided I had to get back into training and searched around for a suitable club. That's when I came across Maher's Martial Arts Academy in Truro. The Academy’s core style was another Korean art called Taekwondo, but Master Maher also skilfully included elements from other martial arts into his Taekwondo syllabus to compliment the art. This comprehensive syllabus was similar to Kuk Sool Won and just what I had been looking for. |
I have been studying and teaching Master Maher’s Taekwondo there since 2005 and attained my 4th degree black belt under the tuition of Master Peter Maher. After receiving my 3rd Dan grade from Master Ken Pankiewicz, I felt that once again I needed to advance my skills further and joined a Jujutsu club in St Austell under the exceptional instruction of Sensei Dave Remnant. I have found many similarities in Jujutsu and how the techniques integrate well with my existing Taekwondo training.
Around the same time as starting to practice with Sensei Dave Remnant, I had the very good fortune to meet Dr Haru-Hisa Takamatsu (or Harry as he prefers to be called). Harry has practiced Iaido for many years and offered personal tuition to myself in the style of Hasegawa Eishin Ryu and Yamamoto Ke Den Touhou Kodachi Batto (Harry's family style) which incorporates Kendo practice to advance my technique.
In 2021 I became a member of the International Taekwondo Council and later went on to join the Absolute Taekwondo Association and continue my learning under Master John McNally, in November 2023 I successfully graded and was proudly awarded my 5th Degree black belt in Chang Hon Taekwondo.
I continue to develop my martial art skills and seek a better understanding of the arts, enhancing my understanding of Taekwondo and teaching it alongside my knowledge of Jujutsu, Kenpo Karate and Iaido. Adding elements from different sources together can enhance the martial arts providing a better understanding and experience for the practitioner. Since opening our own Dojang Flying Dragon Martial Arts Club (Hiryu Budou-Jyo) in 2016 we now offer lessons to children and adults.
Our club is also now accredited with the International Taekwondo Council, which includes myself and my co-instructor Boosabeom-nim Emma Hore being DBS checked and First aid trained.
Around the same time as starting to practice with Sensei Dave Remnant, I had the very good fortune to meet Dr Haru-Hisa Takamatsu (or Harry as he prefers to be called). Harry has practiced Iaido for many years and offered personal tuition to myself in the style of Hasegawa Eishin Ryu and Yamamoto Ke Den Touhou Kodachi Batto (Harry's family style) which incorporates Kendo practice to advance my technique.
In 2021 I became a member of the International Taekwondo Council and later went on to join the Absolute Taekwondo Association and continue my learning under Master John McNally, in November 2023 I successfully graded and was proudly awarded my 5th Degree black belt in Chang Hon Taekwondo.
I continue to develop my martial art skills and seek a better understanding of the arts, enhancing my understanding of Taekwondo and teaching it alongside my knowledge of Jujutsu, Kenpo Karate and Iaido. Adding elements from different sources together can enhance the martial arts providing a better understanding and experience for the practitioner. Since opening our own Dojang Flying Dragon Martial Arts Club (Hiryu Budou-Jyo) in 2016 we now offer lessons to children and adults.
Our club is also now accredited with the International Taekwondo Council, which includes myself and my co-instructor Boosabeom-nim Emma Hore being DBS checked and First aid trained.