Instructor Team

At Widnes Martial Arts, we hold ourselves to a higher standard—one built on excellence, leadership, and legacy.

Our Kuk Sool Won instructors don’t just teach; they lead by example, drawing from cutting-edge science in movement and performance to unlock the full potential of every student. Trained in a system that values quality over quantity, our instructors are not only highly skilled but also active competitors on the tournament circuit, proudly representing the success and spirit of our school at every level.

As you’ll see in the instructor bios below, each one carries forward our mission to build champions both on and off the mats.

Rank : 5th Degree Master

Title : Pyung Kwahn Jahng Nym

Started Kuk Sool Won : 2003

Master Karl trained in multiple Martial arts styles prior to Kuk Sool but on finding how comprehensive and extensive Kuk Sool is, decided to go all in back in 2003 when he joined with a friend.

Master Karl founded the Widnes school in 2009 and now teaches here 7 days a week but is also a keen Mountain biker, enjoys travelling and has a husky called Bruce. He enjoys spending time with his wife Pu Sa Bum Nim Sarah riding their motorcycles, cooking, or doing any outdoor activity.

Black Belt Grand Champion Honours:

3rd Dahn Competitions:

2nd Dahn Competitions:

Rank : 4th Degree Black Belt

Title : Sa Bum Nim

Started Kuk Sool Won : 2007

Sa Bum Nim Jake moved to us from another Kuk Sool Won school in 2014 and became a full time instructor here in 2015. He teaches here 3 days a week whilst working as HGV driver for the other days. Pu Sa Bum Nim is a big music fan and has a wide taste ranging from the 1950s right through to modern day.

Black Belt Grand Champion Honours:

Rank : 3rd Degree Black Belt

Title : Pu Sa Bum Nim

Started Kuk Sool Won : 2010

Pu Sa Bum Nim Luke was one of the school’s very first junior students back in 2010 and has become part of our family both in and out of the Dojang. Ever present at tournament, Pu Sa Bum Nim was very successful in coloured belt competitions but has truly excelled since promoting to Black belt in 2015, winning 10 Grand Champion awards at 1st Dahn level and a further 7 at 2nd Dahn. He promoted to 3rd Dahn in June 2023.

Pu Sa Bum Nim is a big fan of superhero movies, comic books and TV series and is the go to knowledge base for all things Marvel.

Black Belt Grand Champion Honours:

Rank : 3rd Degree Black Belt

Title : Pu Sa Ba Nim

Started Kuk Sool Won : 2009

Pu Sa Ba Nim Sarah entered her first tournament in 2009 and has entered every competition, every year since then winning hundreds of medals and many Grand Champion honours. Pu Sa Ba Nim’s favourite food is Indian or a hearty Christmas dinner. Outside of Kuk Sool she enjoys riding her motorcycle, baking and spending time with her husky and husband. Pu Sa Ba Nim Sarah also works in a senior leadership position for a school trust.

Black Belt Grand Champion Honours:

Rank : 2nd Degree Black Belt

Title : Kyo Sa Nim

Started Kuk Sool Won : 2014

Kyo Sa Nim Sean initially started Kuk Sool for the physical section of his Duke of Edinburgh Award at school. He moved to Widnes from another KSW school in 2024, and now trains every day of the week. He teaches at the dojang two days a week, in addition to running his own school in Salford.

Outside of Kuk Sool, KSN Sean teaches computer science at a high school. He is also an avid reader, enjoys gaming, and watching TV in his spare time.

Black Belt Grand Champion Honours:

Rank : 2nd Degree Black Belt

Title : Kyo Sa Nim

Started Kuk Sool Won : 2013

Kyo Sa Nim Derek has been a successful tournament competitor throughout his time as a coloured belt competing in 3 competitions per year and often winning multiple Gold medals. Derek promoted to 2nd degree at the 2022 UK Championships.

Primarily a student of the adult morning classes, Derek has started to extend his lesson times to include junior and teen classes. Kyo Sa Nim works with children and young adults with special needs helping them to use public transport and attain self sufficiency in their everyday lives. He is married with 3 children of his own and enjoys cooking, football, cycling and red wine.

Black Belt Grand Champion Honours:

Rank : 2nd Degree Black Belt

Title : Kyo Sa Nim

Started Kuk Sool Won : 2013

Kyo Sa Nim Ste started training at Widnes Martial Arts in 2013, beginning with 9 months of private lessons before joining the regular adult classes. During those private lessons, he focussed mainly on self defence techniques from the syllabus which helped develop a confident understanding of this side of Kuk Sool.

KSN Ste promoted to the rank of 1st degree black belt in 2018 and has been teaching ever since across most classes and ability ranges within the school. He promoted to 2nd degree in November 2022.

He enjoys travelling, playing squash, going to the cinema and beating KSN Derek in sparring.

Rank : 2nd Degree Black Belt

Title : Kyo Sa Nim

Started Kuk Sool Won : 2015

Kyo Sa Nim Neil first joined Widnes Matrial Arts as a parent when his daughter joined the Little Vikings class.  After sitting on the sidelines for six months he started to train in Kuk Sool Won when his wife bought him some lessons as a birthday present.

During his time as a coloured belt he has completed in tournaments in England, Scotland and Spain often winning multiple gold medals and was extremely proud to promote to second degree black belt in June 2023.

A former offer in the British Army, Kyo Sa Nim Neil now runs his own company providing IT systems to the health industry.  He his married and has five children. He enjoys most sports, particularly rugby and football, and is an accomplished pianist.

Black Belt Grand Champion Honours:

Rank : 1st Degree Black Belt

Title : Jyo Kyo Nim

Started Kuk Sool Won : 2016

Rank : 1st Degree Black Belt

Title : Jyo Kyo Nim

Started Kuk Sool Won : 2016

Jyo Kyo Nim Jak started Kuk Sool shortly after his son as a way to spend time together, bonding over Kuk Sool and learning together. Jak is passionate about developing his own knowledge and understanding of Kuk Sool as well as sharing this with others through his teaching. His love for it has extended through his family, encouraging his younger daughter and youngest son to become part of the Widnes Martial Arts team.

Jak runs a successful building company. He loves a challenge and tries to take all challenges with a big smile on his face. Jak can often be found eating cake, singing and dancing - he is a friendly and supportive member of the team.

Black Belt Grand Champion Honours: