Krav Maga (pronounced ‘krɑːv məˈɡɑ’) is an Israeli defence system translating to ‘contact combat’, devised in the 1940s by Imi Litchfield who established a training scheme for the Israeli Defence Forces built upon earlier methods of many other fighting styles. Krav Maga is not a martial art, but a system of pure, highly effective and practical self defence that has been designed for real world situations. It combines elements from boxing, wrestling, and other martial arts to provide individuals with the skills to defend themselves from attackers. It emphasises techniques that are easy to learn and apply under high-stress conditions, making it a popular choice for law enforcement and military personnel.
‘Krav Maga, so that one may walk in peace’ – Imi Litchenfeld, Founder of Krav Maga
Having begun Krav Maga Cornwall Ltd in 2010 with the British Krav Maga Association, it is through founder and head instructor, Dan Tswei, that Krav Maga Cornwall proudly holds Europe’s first black belt CT707 as qualified by Sgt Maj Nir Maman of the IDF in 2019 after having previously qualified under CT707 in 2011.
As a family run club Dan and Ellie (Father and Daughter) have created a place where people from all walks of life can leave their baggage at the door and step into a class where every student is there to help one another improve on their training and ultimately get home safely.
Krav Maga Cornwall are proud to host an inclusive, non-judgemental atmosphere, welcoming students to train from any level or ability and have thriving classes across the South West. With a standing ratio of 60:40/men: women and 90% of our students initially joining to build their self-esteem and confidence, it continues to be a club that produces students with not only excellent self-defence techniques but also a strong sense of themselves and the power that they hold within themselves.
Having worked with the Military, the Navy and local Police forces, KMC offers disciplined and intensive classes with a dedicated focus on personal safety and eliminating the threat. When Krav Maga was initially devised it was a military system, of pure self-defence. The moves were not created to boost an ego or to be flashy or competitive. This is a value we keep in order to deliver the most effective and truest form of Krav Maga.
Establishments that KMC have worked with include women’s refuge centres, safe homes for surviving trafficked victims, orphanages, NGOs, private security firms, premier football clubs, and primary & secondary schools and colleges.*
Dan and Ellie both instruct, which allows a male and female instructor to be present in the lessons.
Additional qualifications include; Safeguarding Adults and Children, IOSH, Management Risk Assessment, FREC3 and FREC4.
In 2019 Dan was qualified as Europe’s first black belt in the CT707 systems (pictured above)
In 2023, Ellie was awarded Cornwall’s 30 Under 30, and Self Defence MD of the Year South West by SME News, both for her work developing KMC.
* The individual establishments will remain anonymous for security reasons.