Rachel Vicars

I started training Kickboxing in 2004, when in my third year at Leeds to study for my degree in Medical Engineering. I joined the Leeds University Kickboxing Club where I have trained ever since. After progressing through the Twin Dragon Martial Arts belt system, I achieved my 1st degree Black Belt on 31st March 2007 as awarded by the British Black-belt Schools International.

Whilst Kickboxing will always be my core martial art, I have also trained in Premier Martial Arts (PMA). PMA is a modern American system combining kickboxing, sport-karate, submission grappling, Krav Maga self-protection, mixed martial arts, kali and other weapons training. I began to spar early on in my martial arts training, and have won (and lost) in national events.

I have always been an active member of LUUKB, being Secretary on the club’s committee in 2005/2006 and Vice-Captain in 2006/2007. As part of this, and my wish to engage the club further in competitive terms, I helped to organise the first Leeds University Kickboxing Competition, which was both well received and attended, and its success has meant that it is likely to be an annual event from then on.

I started teaching as an Assistant Instructor for LUUKB under Twin Dragon Martial Arts in 2006. I was able to assist Instructors during classes, taking beginners through basic Kickboxing techniques. In 2007 I completed my instructor training with Beyond Fighting, and am now a main instructor for LUUKB.

Although I graduated in 2006, I decided to extend student life and study for a PhD, mainly so that I could continue training with LUUKB (but don’t tell my supervisor that!).