Self defence franchise launched

A Shropshire man has called on his decade’s experience as a close protection officer and doorman to launch a new business venture in the county.

Ravi Shergill, of Telford, has studied most disciplines of martial arts for many years and now, following months of individual one-to-one training, has become an international instructor for the Defence Lab martial arts system, gaining his Black Belt.

Defence Lab is a global network of self defence and fitness facilities and was formed by Andy Norman, a renowned martial arts expert.

Ravi has been personally training with Andy Norman for the past four years and will complete his journey by being the first to have a franchise of the Defence Lab operation in this region, initially online with video tutorials, but with dedicated training sessions to be hosted at Telford College of Arts and Technology in Wellington.

Currently working as a security officer, Ravi formerly worked as a door security official in Shropshire, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and London and at major venues throughout the UK for many years.

Ravi said: “I have studied most forms of martial arts since my youth including Krav-maga - as used by Israeli defence forces - and full-contact mixed martial arts (MMA) alongside Thai Boxing, SAVATE and KFM, but Defence Lab techniques have proved to be a revelation and the answer to my prayers.

“I am thrilled to be fully qualified as an international instructor and to be launching this new business venture, enabling me to pass on my training skills and help students to achieve their own goals and ambitions through first class methodology.

“The Defence Lab principle is different to the traditional style of martial arts that people are used to and I urge them just to give it a try. They can come along to free trial gym-based classes at TCAT where the superb facilities include air conditioning, showers, changing rooms and free parking or I can provide personal tuition anywhere for groups or individuals.”

Picture: Ravi Shergill, right, with Defence Lab creator Andy Norman.