Mixed Martial Arts Coaches - Centaur, Belfast

Frankie McConville, Muay Thai Coach:

In martial arts circles Frankie McConville needs no introduction. Frankie has taught Muay Thai for over 20 years and is considered by many to be the best, wisest and most experienced Muay Thai Coach in Ireland. Frankie has also trained with some of best Muay Thai Coaches in the world and has himself trained fighters who have fought in Thailand and taken national and international titles. Frankie’s knowledge of Muay Thai and the more ancient Art of Muay Boran is non-parallel. When you are learning with Frankie McConville you are learning from a real Kru (instructor) of Muay Thai.

Gerard McManus:

Gerard has been involved in the boxing game for over 20 years. As an amateur he was known for his sleek and flashy punch combinations and footwork taking Ulster and Irish National title honours and he also represented Ireland internationally. As a coach Gerard has gained a reputation of being one of the best in the country. Gerard now coaches a stable of amateur and professional boxers. More recently, Gerard received major success as the coach of Paddy Gallagher who won a Gold Medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India. So if you are a complete beginner or fighter looking to sharpen your skills there is no better “hands man” than Gerard McManus.

Waqar “the Doc” Ahmed - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach (Revolution) :

Waqar “the Doc” Ahmed is a lifelong student of the martial arts and gained his black belt in Japanese Ju Jitsu in 2001. After visiting and training in the Renzo Gracie academy in New York in that same year he decided to focus his training on Brazilian Jui Jitsu and has trained in art ever since, He visits the united States and Brazil every year where he trains with elite competitors. Waqar has competed extensively in grappling competitions and is an Irish and UK Silver medallist in national BJJ competitions. He is a very highly regarded BJJ coach of international standing and his athletes include National, European and World champions. He is an instructor for BJJ Revolution team which aims to uphold legitimate martial training for sport, self defence and wellbeing.

Testimonials:

“Waqar emanates the true meaning of a mentor. He is well respected by all Brazilian Jiu jitsu clubs around the world through his dedication and hard training over many years. He has trained his students to the highest level possible and he carries his professionalism in working as a doctor into teaching Brazilin Jiu Jitsu. It is my honour to recommend my good friend Waqar classes”, Demetrius Ramos, 2nd Degree Black Belt BJJ Pan American Champion.

“Waqar is an integral part of my training. I have trained under many world class coaches and Waqar is amongst the best. I can undoubtedly say I wouldn’t have achieved as much without his help.” Jonathan Herron, Irish National Black Belt Judo champion and Judo International

“Waqar teaches functional martial arts in an easy to follow yet challenging class. If anyone asks me where to train BJJ in Northern Ireland I tell them to find ‘the Doc’”. John Kavanagh 2nd degree black belt, European champion and technical director of Straight blast gym International.

James Gallagher - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach (Revolution):

James is a purple belt under one of the biggest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) teams in the world, Carlson Gracie Revolution Team, and was the first ever European to be awarded a purple belt under the world class instructor and fighter Demetrius Ramos. James is considered a technically advanced coach with wealth of experience in coaching from children to adults. James not only ‘talks the talk’ but also ‘walks the walk’ - regularly and successfully fighting in National BJJ tournaments. Whether you are looking to start BJJ because you are competitive and want to compete, learn an effective form of self-defence, or simply just get fit, you will be warmly welcomed by James and the team. The Carlson Gracie (BJJ) Revolution Team will do whatever it takes to help get you to achieving your goals. You will quickly learn that BJJ isn't just an art but a way of life.

John O’Rawe – Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Coach

John O’Rawe is Northern Ireland’s National Coach and Talent Development Coach for Olympic Freestyle Wrestling. John manages Redhog Wrestling Club, which he launched in 2008 and has three other venues in Belfast and Lisburn His experience as a coach and an international competitor has given him the expertise to develop other wrestlers within Northern Ireland to achieve international status representing Great Britain. John’s vocation in wrestling began in 1978 aged nine; he represented Great Britain at junior and senior level and reached GB rank no.2 twice. Wrestled for Northern Ireland at the 1994 Canadian Commonwealth Games; returning in 2010 this time as Northern Ireland Coach at the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Skilled in the planning and training of athletes on an international pathway, successfully coached an athlete to gain a place on the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Team 2010. John has trained alongside the finest Eastern European freestyle coaches and joined the Ukraine’s Olympic camp coaches at their international training centre prior to the 2010 World Championships. In the field of collegiate wrestling, John also studied with excellent American athletes and coaches for 12 months in Richmond, Virginia. Additionally, John is a practised Physical Training Instructor, qualified in Sports Specific First Aid (combining Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Anaphylaxis and the Administration of an Epi-Pen). When it comes to Olympic Freestyle Wrestling John O’Rawe is a coach of International standing and one of the best in country. Attend his class and be inspired.

Marty Donnelly – MMA, UCT/ Wing Chun, Combat Conditioning Coach:

Marty Donnelly has been training Martial Arts for over 20 years starting way back in 1984. Marty’s journey in Martial Arts began with Kick boxing and eventually in 1994 crossed over to Wing Chun kung Fu. Marty has extensive training in several styles of Wing Chun. Nine years ago while training in Holland he met and began training Sifu Benno Westra and his instructors in UCT/Unarmed Combat Training (www.iucta.nl) in Amsterdam. UCT’s Jing Wu Yong Chun Quain (meaning “mixed style” in Chinese) is a highly efficient martial art combining effective Wing Chun, Vale Tudo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Marty is now a 1st Technician Grade for UCT/Unarmed Combat Training – the only instructor in Ireland. UCT consists of striking, grappling, anti-grappling, conflict strategies for cage fighting, ground-fighting, self defense. Marty is also a certified Hardstyle Kettlebell Instructor (HKC) and coaches in the Centaur Kettlebell Conditioning classes.

Marty Donnelly is a true Martial Artist, an instructor of considerable ability in Wing Chun and the devastating UCT’s Jing Wu Yong Chun Quain style. Marty is the Master of a complete fighting system and is able to translate this knowledge to his students. Frankie Mc Conville, is a considered by many to be the best Muay Thai coach in Ireland, when seeing one of Marty Donnelly’s MMA classes Frankie commented, “I have trained in many famous gyms around the world and seen some good instructors, Marty has got to be one of the best MMA instructors I have seen, he teaches with great clarity and makes complex drills seem simple. On top of that all his drills are highly effective and bring complete destruction on the opponent. Marty is really impressive.”