Instructor

Alex Gent

Alex Gent is the club founder and a 2nd Dan black belt in Takemusu Iwama Aikido. He started training Aikido in 2007, which encompassed the study of several disciplines Taijutsu, Jojutsu and Kenjutsu. The training focused heavily on weapons, which gave Alex a solid foundation in weapon based martial arts.  

In 2012 Alex began training HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), concentrating mainly on European longsword. He focused on transferable skills and was given the opportunity to apply previous knowledge in a combative and competitive environment

Through HEMA and flow arts, Alex became interested in Indian club swinging. He had already been introduced to some aspects of flow through the concept of "Aiki", however, swinging heavy wooden clubs showed another dimension which needed to be explored. This training helped to develop powerful yet flowing movement. 

In 2015 Alex started teaching Aikido and continued his studies in HEMA and other martial arts. The COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately led to the closure of the Aikido dojo, however in 2021, Alex started teaching again and this is when the Martial Weapons Academy was formed.

Alex continues to expand his knowledge through his martial art studies. His teaching currently focuses on the core principles found within Aikido and other weapon based martial arts. Alex aims to share this knowledge with his students by teaching them key concepts and transferable skills. 

OTHER instructors

There are other instructors also connected the Martial Weapons Academy, who periodically deliver seminars or provide support for the club. For more information about them please click on the links below.

Tony Sargeant

Director of TIAE

More details regarding Tony Sargeant can be found here.

Paul Lowing

Technical Advisor

More details regarding Paul Lowing can be found here.

Raj Soren

Under 16's Instructor

More details regarding Raj Soren can be found here.

"Iron is full of impurities that weaken it; through forging, it becomes steel and is transformed into a razor-sharp sword. Human beings develop in the same fashion."

O' Sensei Morihei Ueshiba