Two martial arts legends from the USA are visiting Rye in the spring. Karate and kickboxing students at Sean Kinsella Martial Arts (SKMA) say they are looking forward to training with them when they visit Rye’s only purpose-built dojo in April and May.
Loren Avendon holds 9th Dan Taekwondo and Grand Master which is a senior rank reflecting decades of dedicated training. He also holds 9th Dan Hapkido which is a Korean style of the art.
Loren believes that martial arts is a way of life, it is a discipline, it teaches humility and gives structure to a way of living. He teaches students to improve themselves constantly and he says training does not stop at the dojo door. Courtesy, self-control, perseverance and respect should carry into everyday life.
He places strong emphasis on mind over ego. True strength in his view comes from humility and control. He teaches that progress is earned through repetition and patience and believes there are no fast tracks to success, only steady commitment.
He was also a martial arts film and TV star.
His seminar is on 29 April at SKMA Rye from 6pm to 8.30pm, cost £60
Benny “The Jet” Urquidez says that martial arts is not about fighting. It’s about living correctly. He believes that speed is important but timing is everything. He holds 10th Dan kickboxing. He is a full contact fighter holding 63 Wins, 57 by K.0 He is also a six-times World Full Contact Champion in five weight classes. He has a black belt in nine martial arts
He is a true king of kickboxing and was also a film star and a fight choreographer for Road House the movie.
He teaches his students to respect their opponents because a fighter’s ethos should be rooted in humility. Benny did not just move fast —he changed the pace of the fight itself, that is why he is called “The Jet”. His legacy lives on in fighters who value timing over force, in martial artists who bow as deeply as they strike, and in the understanding that the highest level of combat is knowing when not to use it.
His seminar is on 30 April at SKMA Rye from 6pm to 8.30pm, cost £60
Sean Kinsella comments, “These legends will be showing how three fight systems work as well as being available for photos, autographs and questions; opportunities not to be missed.
“On 21 February, our young Rye fighter George Cook, 16, will be stepping into full contact ring, taking his first fight in Hastings. We wish him the best of luck.
“Our SKMA fighters are training hard for upcoming national and international tournaments, but a big one on our radar runs from 27 to 29 March. It is a WKO event called the Arnold UK Combat sports Tournament hosted in Birmingham which will see our competitors compete in many disciplines in front of the legendary action star Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“As always we are welcoming many new people to our full time Martial Arts Academy in Rye, teaching Wado Ryu karate and kickboxing. Text 07983609263 to book a free trial session.”
Image Credits: Loren Avendon , Michael Deubner .