Instructors

Katie, originally from the Netherlands and later residing in the UK, before moving to India a decade ago, is a 2nd Dan black belt in kickboxing. She mastered her skills under Justyn Billingham at Blaze Martial Arts in the UK where she achieved her 1st Dan blackbelt. She was awarded her 2nd Dan black belt by the WAKO India Kickboxing Federation. Additionally, Katie holds a 1st Dan black belt in Keysi Fighting Method (KFM), having trained directly under Justo Dieguez, the founder of KFM. She is a Karnataka state WAKO India accredited kickboxing coach.

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Katie's journey in martial arts has spanned two decades. She taught kickboxing and KFM at Blaze Martial Arts for almost a decade. Since living in India she has been a strong advocate for self-defense education, conducting self-defense courses and seminars, particularly focusing on empowering women and children from diverse backgrounds in the country. She was invited to speak to the Dutch King about her experiences when he visited India in 2019. Katie's martial arts journey also took her to Thailand, where she trained in Muay Thai, further enriching her martial arts experience.

 

Katie is deeply passionate about all sports, and alongside her martial arts expertise, she is an avid swimmer. In the realm of swimming, she stands as a proud recipient of 14 Karnataka State Masters medals (across 2022, 2023 and 2024) including an individual gold. Katie's enthusiasm for sports extends beyond her personal pursuits; she also studied sport and exercise psychology. Through this academic journey, she honed her ability to work with athletes, focusing on enhancing sport performance and nurturing mental resilience. Her clientele has included the England CP football team, a national fencer, and a paraglider, amongst others.

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At Kikker Martial Arts, Katie envisions a vibrant, diverse and welcoming environment. One that encourages people to engage in physical activity, regardless of age, fitness or other background and embark on their own unique martial arts journey. Katie aspires to see individuals not only achieve the coveted black belt but also relish a fulfilling journey beyond, celebrating growth, discipline, and a shared passion for movement.