|
Born in 1958 in Edmonton,
North London, Soke Kevin Pell began his martial arts career in October
1966. During his 39 years of training to date, he has studied the arts of
Judo, Karate, Ju Jitsu, Kung Fu, Shorinji-Kempo, Kickboxing and most
recently Iaido and Kendo.
In 1982 his fascination of the striking and locking arts took him to Japan
to study the art of Shorinji-Kempo at the Honbu Dojo (headquarters).
In January 1990 he opened the very first Ishin Ryu school of Ju-Jitsu
based in his home town of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, in the United
Kingdom.
Since early 1990, Kevin Pell 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 was also a dog handler in The Parks Police completing his
service in the rank of Sergeant. In 1996, Kevin was personally invited to
join an elite team of close protection officers drawn from Britain's
Special Forces, responsible for the personal security of leading members
of the United Arab Emirates.
His Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu clubs have had numerous television appearances both
nationally and internationally. They have appeared on
The James Whale Show, London Weekend
Television's prime time challenge program "You Bet", The Link, Sky
and Cable Television. Kevin
has recently appeared as an instructor in Andy McNab’s recent video "The
S.A.S Survival Guide" where he trained and arranged the escape
and evasion sequences.
Kevin appears regularly in martial arts magazines and publications both
here and abroad including the internationally acclaimed best seller “The
Ultimate book of Martial Arts” in which a 32 page section is dedicated to
Kevin's unique style Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu. He continues to receive
invitations to teach and expand both at home and abroad.
Soke Pell has also appeared on the front cover of Steve Grayston's Martial
Arts in 1996.
On Saturday the 6th of October 2001, Soke Kevin Pell was inaugurated into
Combat Magazines' "Black Belt Hall of Fame". Soke was presented the award
by Combat Magazine's editor, Mr. Paul Clifton, in recognition of his
outstanding contribution to the Development of Martial Arts in the United
Kingdom and around the world.
In April 2002, Soke Kevin Pell also appeared on the front cover of Combat
Magazine, (Europe's largest martial arts magazine). Further more a full
six page article about Ishin Ryu and Soke Kevin Pell's devotion to martial
arts was printed inside.
On the 25th day of October 2003, Soke Kevin Pell was invited to the Combat
Magazine's "Hall Of Fame" for a second time. At the end of the evening the
editor of Combat Magazine, Paul Clifton, bestowed upon Soke an award
inscribed with the words "Guardian of the Martial Arts"
On the 8th of November 2003, Soke Kevin Pell received his Hachidan (8th
Dan). This was presented to him by the Japanese master Doshu Shiro
Shintaku 9th Dan and Stephen Grayston 10th Dan, in the presence of the
late Dr. Vernon Bell, president of the European Ju-Jitsu Union.
On the 2nd of October 2004, Soke received life membership to "Jutsu
Akademie Harms" also known as the "Brotherhood Of Martial Arts
Instructors" acknowledging his recognition as the Soke of Ishin Ryu
Ju-Jitsu
On the 2nd of December 2004, Soke was awarded honorary life membership to
the all Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation by it's board of directors
in recognition of his lifetime achievements and contribution to the art of
Ju-Jitsu and martial arts throughout the world.
Shodai Soke Kevin Pell and the
Ishin Ryu School’s of Ju-Jitsu are now officially recognized by the
International Society of Headfamilies & Headfounders. (ISHH)
"I would like to welcome
Shodai Soke Pell to our family as a first generation founder and wish him
well for the future. You have a fine organization with fine people doing a
great job, and it is my honour to be associated with such good people."
Gunshi John J. Williams
36th generation Iemoto (Soke)
Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu Shintokai
Kyoju Dairii Kenkyushin Daito-Ryu
Co-sponsor ISHH, Inc.
Canada
|
