All our instructors are professionals who have been developed to offer the highest quality instruction. Every member of our instructor team is approachable, caring, and possesses a true love for teaching martial arts. After taking just a few lessons, you will see why The Rapid Defence Martial Arts Academy is Norwich’s choice for martial arts and self-defence training.
Sifu Talib Fehlhaber
Sifu Talib is a veteran of the martial arts with over 30 years of experience.
Born in Germany in 1965, Talib was first introduced to the matial arts at the tender age of 6, when his father tired to channel the lively boy and proceeded to enrol him at a local Judo club. This was the beginning of a lasting love affair with the fighting arts that has endured until today.Over the years Sifu Talib has managed to accumulate a vast array of experience and belts in many different martial arts styles, ranging from Judo to Karate, Jiu Jitsu (traditional as well as Brazilian), Kick Boxing, Aikido, Western Boxing, Tai Chi (Chen Style), Chi Gung, Escrima and Wing Tsun Kung Fu.
In a life time effort to keep his teaching practical and relevant he has devised his own method he calls “Dynamic Wing Tsun Kung Fu”. As the name suggests it is broadly based on Wing Tsun, but incorporates and integrates ideas of other fighting disciplines.
Sifu Talib is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Rapid Defence Martial Arts Academy. He is available for private and group bookings as well as for bespoke training for corporate clients.
Here is what some people have said about him:
"Sifu
Talib is a great instructor, above all he is passionate about martial arts and firm enough to keep you motivated and relaxed enough to allow
a perfect balance of enjoyment to every class. If you’re keen to learn
he's keen to teach."
S. Stephens, 22, RAF engineer
"Sifu Talib has
good control of the class and it seems to me he holds a belief that people
can always do more than they think they can. He won’t put up with
laziness but is sensitive to people’s abilities or ‘stumbling
blocks’ in their learning. His enthusiasm and love for the art rubs
off and inspires the class and is surely a must for any instructor worth
his salt.
He is always ready to pressure test any technique and clearly has an excellent
command of the Wing Tsun system. He never shies away from awkward questions about
the system and encourages reflection but not procrastination at the expense
of hands on training in the class."
R. Johnson, 36, Social worker
"His unrivalled
passion is infectious and he is extremely approachable yet maintains a distinct
air of authority."
G. Barron, 23, Nautical engineer
"Sifu Talib
is easy to talk to, funny and will help with any thing that you don't understand,
basically he helps you learn."
A. Bateman, 20, Student
"Sifu Talib
is very confident in the way that he teaches, and this rubs off on me when
it comes to my performance. He's not afraid to get stuck in and show you
productivly where you are going wrong, as once your shown you wont do it
that way again. He likes to keep the whole class energised so we can get
the best from ourselves during the short time we have."
T. Sewell, 22, IT networks engineer
(See our Testimonials for more information.)
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Instructor Will Bridgman
Will started his training in the martial arts in 2004 under the guidance of Sifu Talib. He represents in many ways a new generation of young martial arts instructors with his unrivaled passion for the fighting arts.
He has so far been training in Wing Tsun Kung Fu, Escrima, Submission Grappling, Judo, Kick Boxing, Tai Chi and Chi Gung. Although only young, Will is already a full time martial arts professional and a capable and very popular instructor.
Assistant Instructor Ciarán Utting
Ciarán is one of the youngest members of the Rapid Defence Instructor team. He started training Wing Tsun Kung Fu on a personal basis with Sifu Talib in 2007 and then took the oppurtunity to enter on the Career Intensive Training Programme ealy 2008. He has so far been training in Wing Tsun Kung Fu, Escrima, Submission Grappling and Judo.
Ciarán has all the hallmarks of an amazing instructor and has already surpassed all expectations. He is well on his way to becoming a formidable martial arts professional.
Assistant Instructor Michael Jobson
Michael has been a keen student at the Rapid Defence Academy since 2006 and managed through true black belt focus and attitude to be excepted into the instructor team. So far he has trained in Wing Tsun Kung Fu, Escrima, Submission Grappling and Tae Kwon Do.
He has a long martial arts history and already achieved a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Michael is recently married and will be looking after the Wymondham branch opening later this year.
