Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu

General information

Kevin Pell Sensei. 9th 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 Hertf...ordshire, 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, Kick Boxing, Shorinji Kempo, Aikido, Escrima, MMA and Submission Grappling.

Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu currently has in excess of 11,000 students training regularly throughout its clubs in England, Scotland, Wales, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Croatia, The Falkland Islands and Camp Bastian - Afghistan. This no nonsense style of Ju-Jitsu is the culmination of over 46 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, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, 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 on the subject of Ju-Jitsu and Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu and wrote a 32 page section for the best selling book "The Ultimate Book of Martial Arts" which has gone on to being one of the best selling martial books of all time and has been printed in several languages.

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 and the Royal Military Police. 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...

In 2012, Kevin went in to business with his friend Kwoklyn Wan and they jointly founded “K2 International” which boasts a number of previously successful companies including the "Martial Arts Expo" Europe's most successful Martial Arts Show along with a host of new companies covering the world of television, publishing, the leisure industry and the world of Martial Arts