London Academy of Arnis

Bio

Andrew Janson

Andrew Janson holds a 1st Degree Black Belt in Rapid Arnis (training under Pat O'Malley and Louis Beale), and is the Head Instructor for Rapid Arnis London, The London Academy of Arnis, and the SOAS Kali Society. He has also trained in Jiujitsu, Doce Pares, and is an instructor in Krav Maga Combatives (registered with the British Combat Association). Andy recently won Gold in the May 2010 Arnis Alliance tournament, men's superheavyweight division.

Regarding personal preference, Andy chooses to specialise mainly in modern combatives and improvised and edged weapons, and prefers to fight in the single stick format.

Louis Beale

Louis Beale holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Rapid Arnis, and has also trained in Kenpo and Vale Tudo (which he has also competed in). He is a cunning and nimble long range fighter, as well as a fearsome close range fighter. Louis holds the position of Assistant Chief Instructor in Rapid Arnis International, and is the most senior Rapid Arnis Instructor in London.

Louis is particularly adept in the field of paired weapons, and displays exceptional skill and grace in stick and dagger. He is also extremely formidable in empty hand, longstick, and double stick fighting formats.

Pat O'Malley

When it comes to authentic Filipino martial arts the name Pat O'Malley is known right across Europe as well as in the USA and the Philippines as being Europe's leading light in both the full contact Eskrima scene and the promotion and teaching of Authentic Filipino Martial Arts.

Master Pat O'Malley is the Executive Chief Instructor of Rapid Arnis International. 'Tuhon' 8th Degree Rapid Arnis, 6th Grade Doce Pares, European representative for San Miguel Eskrima, life member of Doce Pares and representative for the Special Emissary of the Asia office of the World Council of the Peoples of the United Nations.

For more information about Pat O'Malley and Rapid Arnis International, please go to his website: www.rapidarnis.com

Edmund Quartey

Edmund Quartey holds a Black Belt in Rapid Arnis (training under Pat O'Malley, Louis Beale, and Andrew Janson), and has also trained in Boxing, Doce Pares, Muay Thai, and Wing Chun Kung Fu. He held British and World Champion status, winning Gold in the Summer 2006 British Arnis Alliance Tournament in Mansfield, UK (Men's Heavyweight category), and Gold in the Winter 2006 World Championships held in Manila, Philippines.

Edmund's main focus is on stand-up empty hand combat, and improvised and edged weapons. His preferred competition format is single stick.

Paul Murray

Paul Murray holds a black belt in Rapid Arnis (training under Andrew Janson and Louis Beale), and has also trained in Judo, Jujitsu, Karate and Kickboxing. Paul started training at the age of six, and holds Dan grades in Karate and Jujitsu, and has successfully competed in all disciplines.

Paul is passionate about all aspects of martial arts, but is heavily into body mechanics, whether it be throwing or striking. His preferred competition format is single stick, Arnis Alliance.

Rapid Arnis Training

THE FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS

"The spirit of the Southern Philippines epitomises the unconquerable spirit of the Philippine Islands. Men of all creeds and colours have scrambled for a foothold in the Southern Philippines. Their bones still lie there, and only the spirit of these intrepid men remains. The Spaniards had not envisioned and could not perceive the courage they were to meet from the defenders of the land."