Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu Thetford

Soke Kevin Pell (Jiu-Jitsu - 10th Dan)
Born in 1958 in Edmonton, North London and raised in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, Kevin Pell began his martial arts career in October 1966. Following a life dedicated to the martial arts, he turned professional and founded his own school of Ju Jitsu on the 9th of January 1990 – and named it “Ishin Ryu” (One Heart/Mind School) based in his then home town of Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, England. From its humble beginnings, with just 7 adults training on the first night, this no nonsense style of Jiu Jitsu (jiujitsu), has today become not only a “National Governing Body”, but one of the largest independent martial art organizations in England, embracing the arts of jiujitsu, judo, kobudo and karate. Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu is the culmination of over 54 years of martial arts experience and “cross-training” (a term virtually unheard of in his early pioneering days) by Kevin Pell in the arts of Ju Jutsu, Shorinji-Kempo, Judo, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Iaido, Escrima and Kyokoshin Karate. Ishin Ryu jiujitsu is a modern and constantly evolving martial art, yet the system proudly embraces the best of its Japanese heritage and traditions. Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu (jiujitsu) currently has in excess of 2,000 students, both Infants (4 – 7 years) Juniors (8 – 12 years) Teenagers (13 – 15 years) and Adults (16 – 80 years) training regularly in separate classes throughout its clubs in England. Kevin is also an established author and was invited to write two books, now in several languages, on the subject of Ju Jitsu (jiujitsu) by the publishing giants, Barnes & Nobel, Alan Clark Books, Connections and Edison Sadd, along with a 32 page section for the internationally-acclaimed “The Ultimate Book of Martial Arts”, which has gone on to being one of the best-selling martial books of all time, and printed in several languages. Since the early 90’s, Kevin has received invitations to teach his no-nonsense style of Jiu Jitsu from around the globe, attracting international attention from many of the world’s leading close protection agencies and military Special Forces. Kevin has served with the Royal Marine Reserve (City of London), the Royal Military Police (253 Pro Coy) and as a dog handler in The Parks Police completing his service at the rank of Sergeant. Kevin also worked for six years as a professional close protection officer, having been personally invited to join an elite team drawn from Britain’s Special Forces, being primarily responsible for the personal security of the Dubai Royal family. In November 1997, Kevin moved to Norfolk and established the Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu (jiujitsu) headquarters in the picturesque village of Caston, where he personally teaches twice a week in the evening aside of his professional duties as the founder and chief instructor. In 2001 Kevin was inducted in to Combat Magazine’s Black Belt Hall of Fame held at the Aston Villa Conference Centre in Birmingham , and in 2003 was invited back to receive a “Guardian of the Martial Arts” award. In 2011 Kevin was once again invited back to the Combat Hall of Fame awards held at the Aston Villa Conference Centre in Birmingham where he was officially honoured and recognised for his service to the world of Martial Arts with a “Lifetime Achievement Award”… In November 2013 Kevin was invited to the “Martial Arts Illustrated” Hall of Fame awards where he was presented with a “Lifetime Achievement Award”…

Renshi Trevor Steward (Jiu-Jitsu - 5th Dan)
I am the National Coach for the development of children within Great Britain. I have been training in the art of Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu since 1995 and have been teaching children from the age of four upwards since March 2000. I first met our founder and chief instructor, Kevin Pell (Soke) in 1989 at my local Jiu Jitsu club in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. I then moved to Norfolk to be with my instructor and pursue my teaching career and immediately joined him at our headquarters (Honbu Dojo) in Caston, Norfolk, where I became the first student to pass the coveted Ishin Ryu Black Belt in November 2000. I have had the honour of accompanying Soke to teach in the United States, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Ireland, Finland, and here at home within the UK. I have also been exceptionally privileged to take part in many high-profile courses and close protection contracts with Kevin Pell Soke including: • SAS “Surveillance and Anti – Surveillance Close Protection Courses” • SAS “Practical and Advanced Firearms Courses” • Appearing alongside Soke on London Weekend Televisions Saturday nights primetime game show – “You Bet” • SAS Survival Courses • Worked alongside Soke on High Security Close Protection Contracts • Combat Magazine Photo Shoots • Combat Hall of Fame 2011 • Martial Arts Illustrated Hall of Fame 2015 • SKY Television • Since 2002, Represented Martial Arts at “The Presidents Day” for Disabled children from Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. I continue to teach weekly and from April 2021 I will become the children’s instructor at the national training centre in Caston, Norfolk, a challenge I relish and can’t wait to get started.