Becoming A Muay Thai Kru or Kickboxing – MMA Blackbelt At Elite Martial Arts

Although Elite Martial Arts has been established since August 1978, (40 years) for archive purposes on the website server, only Black belt records since our arrival in Australia are listed on this website, along with those who have qualified as Instructors.

Higher levels of Black belt are known commonly as ‘DAN’ Grades (Dan is the Japanese term that simply means Level). DAN Grades are used within martial arts industry to show the level of knowledge / experience that an Instructor has attained over the years.

Please note that Black Belts are not automatically qualified Instructors and to receive Muay Thai accreditation as an Instructor you must complete the MTIA instructors’ course which will progress you through from Instructor to Kru and eventually Ajarn if you are so motivated.

Should a senior student of Black Belt grade wish to become an Instructor at Elite Martial Arts Studio, they spend approximately one year as an ‘Apprentice-Instructor’ under the direct guidance of a Senior-Instructor before they become a certified ‘Level 1’ (1st Dan) Instructor, or Kru Instructor.

We believe that time-served as an apprentice Instructor is much better than a specific Instructor exam.

Once someone becomes a qualified Instructor at Elite Martial Arts Studio, they are awarded the Instructor Insignia which is a ‘RED BAND’

The Instructor Insignia of a Red Band used widely by many Thai-Kickboxing schools that follow a structured training syllabus.

Additionally, those Instructors with more experience are awarded further Instructor Insignia. This is a very simple, yet effective system. Two Red Bands for second Dan, (which would mean that the person is a Level 2 Instructor), four Red Bands for 4th Dan, (which would mean that the person is a level 4 Instructor).

This helps give a student an idea of the experience the teacher has as an Instructor. Something that is very useful when comparing Instructors or choosing which Martial Arts Centre join.

Would you rather train with an Instructor whose knowledge with just 2- or 3-years’ experience, or with an Instructor who has over 10, 15 or even 40 years’ experience! We can assure you that there is a world of difference!

ISKA Kickboxing: Elite Martial Arts provides the complete pathway for the development of

novices and children in competitive and functional martial arts.

Our ISKA Kickboxing disciplines include:

Kickboxing Grades

Muay Thai Grades

Blackbelt & Kru training

Kickboxing is known as ‘The art of Striking’, and Striking is regarded by many as ‘The Ultimate form of combat’.

With correct and regular training Kickboxers can develop power in their striking techniques that is much stronger than their physical bodyweight, thus leading to a tremendous advantage in a real-life self-defense situation.

MMA – Grading Syllabus at Elite Martial Arts

The core of the Kickboxing system taught at the Elite Martial Arts Gym is based on Technique & Fitness training with Self-Defense applications. Only if a person wishes, are they offered Competition training. It is stressed that the majority of our members do not compete and that you would not be expected too either.

Therefore, our members can also progress though our grading syllabus should they wish to train towards their Black Belt in Combudo Kickboxing MMA.

The Elite Gym’s MMA – Kickboxing syllabus teaches Striking using Kicks, Boxing, Knees, Elbows and Open-Palm Striking. Plus, Throws, takedowns, pins/holds & submissions.  Not forgetting our ground and pound techniques. Techniques are taught for competition & self-defence applications.

Utilizing techniques and training methods from Thai-Kickboxing (Muay-Thai) and Japanese Kickboxing (K-1) as well as traditional techniques from Judo, Ju Jitsu, Muay-Boran and Kyokushin making it an ideal system for those seeking training in a striking/grappling system for Self-defense or for Ring/Cage-Sport under Combudo, Kickboxing, Muaythai or MMA Rules.

Additionally, the Elite Gym’s Kickboxing system also teaches Ground-Striking, for those wanting to compete under M.M.A. (Mixed-Martial-Arts) Rules where matches involve Standup-fighting and Ground-fighting. The Ground-Striking is covered in separate classes to the regular timetable via our ‘Combudo/MMA classes’ (Which include Striking-for-M.M.A.) program.

Jeff Bullock is a 6th Degree Blackbelt under this system.

Muay Thai Grading Syllabus at Elite Martial Arts

Our Muay Thai system is that of the MTIA & Grand-Master Toddy. Thohsaphon Sitiwatjana is a Thai martial artist and Muay Thai instructor. He is known as Master Toddy because after moving to the UK, people were unable to pronounce his name correctly. Thohsaphon has been a Muay Thai instructor since the age of 16 and has trained over 40 world champions over 5 decades

Members can learn the traditional Muay Thai system of 8 limbs and progress via the MTIA grading system that is recognized in Thailand and progress to their Red Pra Jiad’s (Kru) in Muay Thai.

Jeff Bullock is an Ajarn, (Master) under this system and a well know student of Master Toddy’s.