Mark Broom (1st Dan) - TOTALBODYDEFENCE

Name: Mark Broom

Hometown: Pontypool, Gwent

Occupation: Business Development Manager (Wholesale)

Club: / Grade : Risca/ 1^st Dan

Hobbies/sports:

I have been involved in Martial Arts for over 35 years. I started practising Judo from the age of 7; I also studied Shotokhan Karate and trained in Tae Kwon Do for many years in Devon under the instruction of Master John Black 8^th Dan.

I was awarded my Tae Kwon Do 1^st Dan Black Belt in 1986 by Grand Master He Il Cho and went on to win several national titles between 1986 - 1989 including the English and Welsh Championships in Sparring, Patterns and Destruction.

I am a qualified Football Leader and UEFA C Licence holder with the FAW (Football Association of Wales). I have managed and Coached a Junior football team (Fairfield Utd) for the last 8 years and in our 1^st competitive season 2009/2010 we won the Torfaen County U12’s League Cup Final, Having played football at a fairly high level myself as a youth, this was one of my proudest moments seeing my team presented with the League Cup at Cwmbran Stadium on 25^th April 2010.

Why you started TBD

I started training in Goshinkwai in 1986 under Sensei Dave Baker whom I met while training at my local weight training gym in Devon. I used to travel weekly from Devon to Bleanavon in South Wales with Dave to train, until I eventually persuaded him to teach me and a couple of friends locally.

I trained with Dave for 4 years and graded to 4^th Kyu Green Belt. Ironically I moved to Talywain, Pontypool (3 miles from Bleanavon) in South Wales in 1989 and continued my training on and off for a couple of years with Sensei Jeff Keen. My work began to take me away from home and my training began to suffer because of this.

Then in 2006 my eldest son Tyler expressed an interest in Martial Arts which is when I contacted Alun Williams (Founder of TBD) and together with Tyler resumed my training under Alun’s Instruction. I was promoted to 3^rd Kyu Blue Belt on the TBD Annual Course in 2008 and my 1^st Kyu Brown Belt at the 2010 Annual Course; I attained my 1^st Dan Black Belt at the TBD Annual Course in November 2011.

I regularly attend Extra Progressive Training sessions both in South Wales and London with Alun. I have also supported many of the Seminars given by some of the Top Martial Artists in the world that Alun has hosted, Including Maul Mornie of Silat Suffian Bela Diri, Chris Crudelli (Mind Body and Kick Ass Moves) and Joey Ansah who is most famous for his part in the Bourne Identity Films, Rob Ho Instructor and Actor http://WWW.VIGILANTETHEMOVIE.CO.UK and Zara Pythian World Champion Martial Artist and Actress, to mention a few .

It was a great honour when invited by Alun to be the Guest Instructor at the 2^nd TBD USA Seminar in Orlando Florida – On 12^th April 2009.

I was also invited back to Orlando Florida to instruct at the 3^rd TBD USA seminar in April 2011, which was a great experience for me personally.

Alun had previously forged links with the Orlando Martial Arts Meet up Group, and when Holidaying with my family in Florida, Alun arranged for me to instruct the Seminars on behalf of the TBD Organisation. http://www.meetup.com/orlando-martial-arts/events/16592232/

What you most like about TBD/club:

There is a strong passion and respect for all within the Risca club, No Ego’s which I like. The level amongst most of the junior grades is very very high, which keeps me on my toes and pushes me to develop my own skill and knowledge continually, creating a very high standard throughout the club.

I like the flexibility of the style, Alun is keen for his students to have their own ideas and scenarios, and will work with each individual to adapt these into our own techniques.

Aims/Ambitions:

Now that I have achieved the rank of 1^st Dan Black Belt. I am keen to continue my training and develop as an Instructor, especiually as I opened my own school in Pontypool in Feb 2012 training both adults and childre. I am currently preparing to take my 2nd Dan in Total Body Defence Ju Jitsu November 2013.

Over the last couple of years both Alun, the senior instructors and many of the students within the TBD organisation have worked very hard in terms of networking and have made many new friends in the world of Martial Arts.

I feel that there are many opportunities for TBD on the horizon, to be working with like minded students in other countries, not only Europe but around the world, and would love to be a part of this, not if, but when it happens.

Courses Attended –

Maul Mornie - Silat Suffian Bela Diri May 2007 – Risca South Wales

TBD Annual Course November 2007 – Risca

Gun Defence Course – Matt Hall / Rob Pasco April 2008 – Risca South Wales

Seni 2008 – April 2008 - London Excel

TBD London Seminar July 2008 – London

TBD Annual Course November 2008 – Risca South Wales

TBD London Seminar January 2009 - London

Chris Crudelli Feb 2009 – Abertillary South Wales

Joey Ansah March 2009 – Risca South Wales

TBD USA 2 Orlando Martial Arts Seminar April 2009 - Orlando Florida (Guest Instructor) http://www.meetup.com/orlando-martial-arts/events/9450344/

Seni 2010 – April 2010 - London Excel