Kevin Pell Hanshi 10th Dan…
Born in 1958 in Edmonton, North London and raised in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire Kevin Pell began his martial arts career in October 1966 and following a life dedicated to the martial arts, 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 and from its humble beginnings, with just 7 adults training on the first night, Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu has today become one of the largest multi-style martial art organizations in Europe, and currently embraces the disciplines of Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Kobudo, Karate, Shorinji Kempo, Aikido, Escrima, MMA and Submission Grappling.
Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu currently has in excess of 1,400 students training regularly throughout its clubs in England. This no nonsense style of Ju-Jitsu is the culmination of over 57 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-Jitsu, Shorinji-Kempo, Judo, Wing Chun, Iaido, Escrima and Kyokoshin Karate. Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu is a modern and constantly evolving martial art, yet the system proudly embraces the best of its Japanese heritage and traditions.
Kevin is also an established author and has written two books and published in several languages on the subject of Ju-Jitsu and Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu and wrote a 32 page section for the bestselling book “The Ultimate Book of Martial Arts” which has gone on to being one of the bestselling martial books of all time.
Since the early 90’s, Kevin has received invitations to teach worldwide his no-nonsense style of Ju-Jitsu, 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) and the Royal Military Police (253 Pro Coy). He also served 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 leading members of the United Arab Emirates.
In November 1997 Kevin moved to Norfolk and established the Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu 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 magazines black belt hall of fame and in 2003 was invited back to receive a “Guardian of the Martial Arts award. Kevin was once again invited back this year to the 2011 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…
