Magazine Articles

With coverage in the London Press as well as UK Martial Arts Magazines like 'Combat' and 'TKD and Korean Martial Arts', the Panther Taekwondo Black Belt Academy is going from strength to strength.


Combat Article on Team Panther	Combat Article On Chief Instructor Waine Roye

An Interview From Combat Magazine

Danny John Jules: 'Red Dwarf's' Cool Cat!

Certain television series reach out beyond their perceived fan base to develop an enduring cult following and so it was with the Sci-Fi Comedy 'Red Dwarf', featuring Danny John Jules as Cat. Like the series, Danny has broken out from the shackling restraints of public perception with his acting career, especially his high profile role in the blockbuster movie 'Blade 2' starring Wesley Snipes. Funny, engaging, humble, Danny is as engaging off-screen as his 'Red Dwarf' character is funny on screen and he took time out from filming his new series, 'The Crouches' to talk about his career and his twenty year interest in the martial arts.

Com: Did you ever imagine that 'Red Dwarf' would gain such a cult following?

DJJ: When I read the script I thought that this would be either the biggest thing since sliced bread or we would all be shot at dawn.

Com: Sci-Fi fans can be very fanatical.

DJJ: No more so than martial arts fans, they are 100% dedicated to their, what some would call, unusual past times.

Com: How did the role in 'Blade 2' come your way?

DJJ: I was doing a play in Manchester and someone suggested to the (Blade 2) casting agent that they should see all of the guys in our play as it was quite physical and futuristic. I auditioned for a part that had one line and ended up with a bigger part.

Com: Is it true that your very first day on set was a fight scene with Wesley Snipes?

DJJ: Yes, my very first scene was the fight scene with Wesley and having read the script one would have been a fool not to have been prepared, so, on the advice of my Taekwondo instructor, Ewan Briscoe, I went to Tenerife for two weeks of solid fitness and stretching training and then spent a week training with Donnie Yen and his team in Prague. The following week was spent filming the fight scene with Wesley.

Com: What's Wesley like?

DJJ: He's the ultimate professional, listens intently to people that know, while at the same time keeping his integrity. Once he takes off the long leather coat he likes to go out and enjoy himself. When my family visited, he welcomed them into his trailer for lunch and also posed for photographs etc.

Com: What about Donnie Yen and 'Hellboy' star Ron Pearlman?

DJJ: Donnie's mother is a Tai Chi master and standing next to this pocket dynamo is like standing next to this giant magnet, you can feel his power. Ron Pearlman and I got on fine, we used the hotel gym together and he asked who my agent was, I gave him details and my agent's office now represents him in London.

Com: Is it true that the director Guillermo Del Torro gave you a nickname?

DJJ: He called me by my surname in Mexican and it started when we were doing a special effects sequence with Kris Kristofferson, who was firing a rifle at me. The bullets were hitting my legs like bee stings and it looked like I was doing the Highland Fling, every step accompanied by a little girly 'ouch'. Del Torro shouts at the top of his voice, 'cut, cut, cut! Hon Hoolez (John Jules), what are you doing jumping around like the Sugar Plumb Fairy, you big pussy?' Later on in the shoot, when I did a little stunt that he liked, he said, 'Hon Hoolez, you are no longer a pussy.'

Com: So how much of your own stunt stuff did you do?

DJJ: I did all my own stunts except the wire descent from the hundred foot ceiling, which the insurance wouldn't allow.

Com: Tell us about your martial arts background.

DJJ: My martial art training began in the early eighties, I trained in Taekwondo, under the instruction of Ewan Briscoe, President of Panther Taekwondo Black Belt Academy. He ran classes in conjunction with Staves Gym on site at the Pineapple Dance Centre-I was also very active in dance, which gave me a great start.

I have known Ewan for twenty years and during this time, even though I have been extremely busy in the Theatre, TV, and Film industries, I have always managed to stay in touch and keep my Taekwondo training up to scratch. Ewan is a hard task master but that's the sort of training I respond to and at this stage he is one of the best, you only have to look at the success of his young tournament players and the number of instructors he has produced to date. I was invited to his 6th dan award from Ty Ga Karate presented by founder Gary Wasnyeski and it was a pleasure to witness as it proved that my instructor has recognition and respect that transcends martial styles.

Com: Is it true that you developed an interest in the sword arts since working on 'Blade 2'?

DJJ: Yes. Ewan is also involved in a Korean sword style called Haidong Gumdo and this style appeals to me because of its attention to detail and the challenge of the low stances and extreme body co-ordination, in the wake of films like 'Blade', 'The Last Samurai' and 'Kill Bill'. I think this dynamic style has a great future in the UK.

Com: What are your future plans?

DJJ: At the moment I am doing a TV sitcom called 'The Crouches' but my mind is focussed on writing. However, I will always endeavour to keep fit and make exciting movies if I can-all this stuff starts hurting at my age you know!

My thanks to Ewan Briscoe for finding a brief window in Danny's hectic schedule.

Ewan Briscoe featured in TKD Magazine July 2000, Read the interview by Malcom Martin

Ewan Briscoe, "I Believe In The Tenants Of TKD!"

With the looks of his pal Nigel Benn and an infectious, Eddie Murphy style laugh, Ewan Briscoe is an easy interview, but if you read carefully, you will notice that he has some serious messages behind the laughter. He's been in Taekwondo a long time and as a feted competitor won the British title nine times, but is keen to stress that the tenants of Taekwondo mean as much to him as the trophies.

In this respect his life is indelibly linked with the community he comes from, Panther Taekwondo being very active with local causes and charities in Lewisham. Respectful and respected, Ewan was instrumental in bringing Park Soo Nam over to this country for his first seminars and was the Chairman and founder member of the British Taekwondo Control Board (London Region).

TKD-KMA: Ewan, we're now in the 21st century, tradition or technology, what are your views on training methods?

Ewan Briscoe: I think Taekwondo is a traditional Martial Art, BUT I like to move with the times, (pulls out an electronic personal register) this is my class register. If there is any form of equipment where you can test people's power or reactions, then I'm using it.

I play music when people are training for tournaments because I think people like the rhythm. If you hear music while you're training, then you don't think about it so much, and it's a fact that if you enjoy yourself you try harder.

TKD-KMA: What about the contrast between Taekwondo as a profession or a hobby?

Ewan Briscoe: That's always been a problem with me, a hard thing. My accountants call me stupid because my class fees are cheap, I charge a lower rate for children, I do believe they must have a chance.

A good example is a chap called Charles Gordon, I used to teach him as a kid. He went to Jamaica to live with his dad and gave him a lot of headaches, he lost discipline. He was sent back to England to live with his Aunt, but she threw him out, and at 17 he came back to my class, he was doing business studies and wanted to see how I ran it.

At 19 he came back to me as an estate agent and he runs it along the same disciplined lines as Taekwondo. He's made it now and asking how he can sponsor my class. Now he sponsors my kids class - I believe in that, building esteem for those with low self esteem, calming down those that are boisterous, and he was a good example of that.

TKD-KMA: As a professional instructor, isn't there a danger that it becomes a numbers game?

Ewan Briscoe: Speaking for Taekwondo alone, for most schools it has to be a numbers game. You have to be able to pay the rent. Most instructors have to depend on youth centres, church halls, gymnasiums, and they charge a fee per night that you have to pay.

Also professional instructors, that's their living, it's got to be the numbers game, and there's nothing wrong with that as long as you are giving quality instruction. I have seen examples, especially in the States, where you pay your money, you get your grade.

Certain celebrities have offered me money to make sure they were a black belt, and I point out to them that when they are tested one day, and they fall, they are going to say that I instructed them, so out of principle I just couldn't do that. The numbers game must never make you lose sight of what the Martial Arts is about.

TKD-KMA: What were your own reasons for forming Panther Taekwondo?

Ewan Briscoe: It got to the stage where I was going abroad a lot, doing tournaments, and I was a graphic designer working for a good company and I was always asking for time off.

At first they loved it, going abroad to represent England, but after the fifth and sixth time they thought "hang on, are we paying you to go abroad?" (laughs). I went to my dad, who I have to say is one of my heroes, and asked him what he thought about me going into the Martial Arts as a business, so I wouldn't have to ask anyone when I went abroad.

He was the one who started me off in the arts, paid my years fees, and said if I didn't turn up that he was going to give me a beating! (laughs). I had tried other styles but never stuck with anything.

He gave me £1,000 and said start your business! At that time in Lewisham there was only one other school, a Karate school, there was no Taekwondo wanted to spread the word around that area because Karate and Judo could get funding but Taekwondo - what's that? I particularly wanted to teach children.

There were a lot of kids of the people I'd grown up with, and they wanted them off the street, you know give them something to do, and Taekwondo was one of those things.

TKD-KMA: That leads to an important question - are we just teaching a sport, like football, or do Martial Arts instructors have a moral obligation?

Ewan Briscoe: I don't want this to sound like a cliche but I believe in the tenants of Taekwondo, and respect them. I believe you should respect your seniors and instructors, I was brought up that way at home. Things have changed, but in Martial Arts it should still be like that.

The structure of Taekwondo is built around respect and discipline. Every three months you have to grade, discipline yourself to train for it. People talk about the "patience" of Martial Artists as mystical, it's not, it's about discipline, being determined to turn-up and train regularly despite the many distractions.

TKD-KMA: How did the parents in your area respond to what you were trying to do?

Ewan Briscoe: When I started this, it was at a time of cutbacks, youth clubs were being closed. I started at the St. Mary's Youth Centre and as far as I'm concerned, and I'll say this without apology, it was just a drug den.

By having a class there we changed it slightly, had people bringing their families there. We started winning tournaments and the name of St. Mary's went all around Europe, but in a positive way, and the local newspaper started focusing on the place more for that.

Then the parents saw what I was trying to do there and took their children, realising that I was teaching them learning skills like; discipline, concentration, self-esteem - all Martial Arts teach this.

TKD-KMA: You also do a lot of voluntary work.

Ewan Briscoe: Again, in the tenants of Taekwondo, it says that I shall try and build a more peaceful world, there's lots of ways of doing that and in a way I'm doing that by showing children how to respond to conflict.

In my opinion that tenant also means that you should try and help your community. The Lewisham community has given me a lot and in Lewisham there was the Cat Scan appeal. The mayor asked me if we could help out with that and that wasn't a problem for the school. In the black community we have this problem with sickle cell anaemia, causing your white corpuscles to sickle in shape, which is very crippling.

I went to hospital one day and saw an example of that, so I wanted to help. I also encouraged students to do the same, I ask them if anyone has a cause that we can help, then bring it to the class. That's something that all Martial Arts should do, and I believe that a lot do, compared to other sports, I think that's what separates us.

KD-KMA: Another aspect of your role in the community is as a self defence instructor for the security services, how did that come about?

Ewan Briscoe: We were approached by Lewisham police because they were interested in what we were doing with the classes. There's a story behind this - a young lad was on the railway lines and without thinking I jumped over the fence, ran over, picked him off the line, and the Police thanked me for that - and that's how we met.

I got a community award for that and a few months later the head of security at Lewisham shopping centre invited me to a "brainstorm" with community leaders, on how they can control the children in the shopping centre. They were losing business because the children were terrorising people.

There were situations where, although they were only teenagers, the security men might have to defend themselves and they were worried about assault charges. I felt "release and restraint" was a better option, there's a side to Taekwondo/Hapkido that deals with this, and my instructor Park Soo Nam had taught me that over the years, and that is what I taught them.

TKD-KMA: Following on from that, are you happy with Taekwondo as a modern self defence system?

Ewan Briscoe: A majority of people who do Taekwondo, just like Judo, or anything that becomes an Olympic sport, start to focus just on the sporting side. What's practical never looks good, and what looks good is never practical! In Taekwondo most of the kicks are above the waist, but in the street you wouldn't do that.

Also to score a point with a punch in Taekwondo is very hard, a lot of the techniques concentrate on the legs, but on the street you can stop someone dead with your hands. What happens is that a lot of instructors become so sport-orientated that they forget the art. I remember when I was heavily into the tournament fighting, I really loved it, and Park Soo Nam said to me "Ewan, you're really doing well at tournaments, but what are you going to do when you retire?" I was in my twenties and I thought retirement - that's what old people do! (laughs).

He asked me about the "art" of Taekwondo, and I didn't understand what he meant. He suddenly stopped a punch about a millimetre from my face and he said; "that's the art of Taekwondo, one strike and you are dead, or I can stop it there, dead". You can run rather than fight, defend rather than maim, maim rather than kill, kill rather than be killed. A lot of instructors have forgotten that but Taekwondo is effective if you use all aspects of it.

TKD-KMA: As a successful competitor, and now a mature instructor, what are the merits and benefits of competition within the whole Taekwondo picture?

Ewan Briscoe: I believe that only around 20% of practitioners do competitions, yet the majority of instructors are teaching for competition. I don't want to be perceived as "Mr. How to Run Your Business" but they've lost 80% of their business.

It might be an idea for people to concentrate a bit more on the self defence and the forms. Competition has to be available, especially for the younger ones, it is the ultimate form of any Martial Art because you have to train so hard, and there's rules. When there's rules you actually have to train harder than you do for the street. What competition has done is spread W.T.F Taekwondo around the world, there's no better advert for Martial Arts than the Olympics.

TKD-KMA: This seems a good time to discuss your own career highlights.

Ewan Briscoe: Straight off the top of my head? My hall of fame award from "Combat" magazine. Everyone has their ups and downs, and just before that I had some personal problems, my father was very sick, and eventhough he wasn't well, he still squeezed my hand as if to say well done.

I can't say things that I've achieved personally, other than that. What puts a lump in your throat is when a child comes to your class as an absolute beginner and three or four years later, they're British champion, European champion. That means more to me than anything.

I always brought trophies back to my dad, and he used to say "yeah, that's good, now show your mum". Then one day I told him that I'd trained my first black-belt and he said "Now I'm proud of you. You're an expert teaching experts". That was a day that meant a lot to me.

TKD-KMA: Any other heroes or influences?

Ewan Briscoe: I have to say to you Paul Clifton (I slipped him the tenner Paul - Malcolm), I don't know how you can word this but it's true. He's always given me good advice. Also there's Dave Oliver, he's tried to lift the name of Taekwondo, he's been an inspiration to me.

Hee Il Cho, Bruce Lee, Chris Sawyer, he is one of the guys instrumental in building W.T.F Taekwondo in England and Lindsay Lawrence as well, they were both England fighters and built Taekwondo.

TKD-KMA: Now you admit to drifting through various styles, what was it about Taekwondo that made you stick with it?

Ewan Briscoe: It was the competition - I am a competitive person. I did Wing Chun before and at the time there was no format for competition, you couldn't eye jab someone (laughs), a lot of the technique didn't suit a tournament format.

I went to Judo and got thrown once and that was enough for me. All the air left my body and I thought this can't be right! (laughs), I did boxing and got hit once - Mohammed Ali was a hero, and I used to do all the bag work and speed punching outside of the ring, the Ali shuffle, it looked great.

I got in the ring, the gloves seemed as big as pillow cases and all I remember is the glove coming away from my face! It happened twice, so I simply slipped between the ropes and walked out. That's why my dad paid the yearly fee to ensure I stuck at Taekwondo.

TKD-KMA: Nigel Benn is one of your good friends, isn't he?

Ewan Briscoe: He is a hero of mine. I remember the first kickboxing match I saw him in, in Romford, and he fought a guy called Geoff Britton, who used to be in the band "Manfred Mann". Geoff was champion at the time and Nigel went in as a novice and annihilated him.

Nigel wasn't the most technical fighter, but he had a lot of heart, what we call indomitable spirit.

TKD-KMA: Cross training is the current buzz word in Martial Arts, what are your thoughts on this?

Ewan Briscoe: There's nothing wrong with that, I've been doing it for years. Without cross training, what can happen to you, and your students in general, is that you get burn out, and if they get burn out they leave. Cross training is a good way of keeping your clientele.

Every so often I get an aerobics instructor in, or I'll take them to a ninjitsu class with a friend. Luckily I get on well with all the local instructors, we have a little village of instructors, a family. Tony Elen is one of the top Kenpo Karate instructors, Peter Browne, Jiu Jitsu, Simon Yau, Ninjitsu, we get around and do stuff together. I'm not frightened of letting my students see other clubs, some instructors are frightened of that, for fear of losing students - but if they were meant to go they'll go.

I a confident with what I am teaching.

TKD-KMA: Stylistically (not politically), what are the differences between W.T.F and I.T.F Taekwondo?

Ewan Briscoe: If I can explain it in general sporting terms, I'd say the best description would be the difference between Rugby League and Rugby Union. That's it - one's North and one's South. Same game, slight variation. I don't see one as better than the other and I get on with quite a few I.T.F stylists but I simply favour W.T.F as a personal preference.

From there he came over and did the first black belt gradings. Then he was asked to become President and I did a lot to facilitate that and I think he did a great job building the name of B.T.C.B and Taekwondo in England. From what I can see, he is also well liked by other Taekwondo organisations in England, he seems able to transcend politics.

TKD-KMA: You brought over a Korean Demonstration Team, can we ever be as good or better than the Koreans?

Ewan Briscoe: Times change. I remember ten years ago Master Park telling me that the Europeans were built for Martial Arts, and the Africans, all they were missing was the technique. The more we're exposed to it, now we're in a "global village", the more things change. Look at thai boxing, the thai's aren't the best now.

TKD-KMA: Tell us about your relationship with Park Soo Nam?

Ewan Briscoe: It started about 15/16 years ago, we were a bit cut off from Korea and we needed help getting known throughout Europe, and Park Soo Nam seemed the perfect ambassador. I arranged the first Park Soo Nam seminars in the late 80's

TKD-KMA: Where does the future take Ewan Briscoe?

Ewan Briscoe: I was thinking of writing a book, there's so many notes I've made, then just to build my classes and sooner or later have someone take over, I'm not getting any younger. I want to keep the spirit of Taekwondo alive.

Press Article taken from the South London Press

Panther Taekwondo Black Belt Academy students between the ages of ten and 37 were celebrating after successfully attaining their black belts.

The following achieved 1st Dan Black Belts: Jamal Miller, 10, from Catford; Steven Tran, 12, also from Catford; Natasha Ramfphul, 13, from Lee; Alain Mutombo, 29, from Forest Hill and Jonathan Tetteh, 36, from Catford.These students achieved 2nd Dan Black Belt: Kierian Traille, 11, and Robreto Belfiore, 13, from Catford; Nathan Roye, 14, from Bromley; Courtney Sullivan, 14, from Catford; Natasha Registe, 14, from Bromley; Rosa-Maria Belfiore, 15, Catford and Roye Waine, 37, from Bromley.

Panther Taekwondo has become one of the most well-known and well-established Taekwondo schools nationally and is internationally respected for its team spirit and standards of discipline, courtesy and social responsibility.

It is proud to note that many of its students have won many international championship-winning medals, including a trip to South Korea, the home of Taekwondo, where every player returned with winners' medals. Many students have even gone on to open Taekwondo classes of their own.

For more information about Panther Taekwondo classes, call Master Ewan Briscoe on 020 8813 0079.

Panther Taekwondo | Triumphs in Korea

10 gold, 8 silver, 16 Bronze making a total of 34 medals. 2 medals for every member of the 17 strong team, with 3 of the junior team members achieving double gold medals.
Wow!!
When? Where? How? Who?
When: 22nd - 26th April 2002.
Where: Where else but at the centre of the world of Taekwondo, Korea
How: Hard work, dedication and Master Ewan Briscoe.
Who: Panther Taekwondo Black Belt Academy from SE London

As a result of the successful efforts of the Panther Taekwondo club in Stuttgart, Germany in February, Panther received an invite to the Kyonggi International Open Taekwondo Championships to be held in the Kyonggi province, Korea. Tensions were high and mixed with excitement for the Panther team, which consisted of 11 juniors and 6 seniors, as they flew into Seoul for the three-day event, accompanied by their support team.

Panther received an invite to the Kyonggi International Open Taekwondo Championships to be held in the Kyonggi province, Korea. Tensions were high and mixed with excitement for the Panther team, which consisted of 11 juniors and 6 seniors, as they flew into Seoul for the three-day event, accompanied by their support team.

To visit Korea, the heart of Taekwondo, and take part in one of their tournaments, is the dream of all Taekwondo practitioners. The tournament was organised by Yong-In University and college of Martial Arts, which is now placing itself firmly as a Mecca for Korean Martial arts education and physical education. The department of Taekwondo at Yong-in University is the first one established as a college education program in Taekwondo, and is open to students worldwide.

One the first day of the visit the Panther team had the privilege of being invited to watch the Korean training sessions before the weigh-ins, and the welcome party for International participants.

At the end of the welcome speeches a member of the Panther junior team then had the honour of being chosen to present a bouquet of flowers to the officials. Following the speeches a rather splendid 3 tier cake was then cut by the officials with a ceremonial sword, and a champagne toast of 'cheers' must have raised some emotions in the competitors, and many would have gone to bed that night dreaming of that coveted gold medal.

Day two brought the start of the championships tournament beginning with the opening ceremonies, and Kim Yung Sun, the Grand Secretary, officially declared the championships open. Then followed the grand parade of all competitors around the arena the Panther team stood out among them in their black and yellow track suits gaily waving Union Jack in one hand and the Korean flag in the other. Competitors wished each other luck and many long lasting friendships were made that day. What a great way to cement international relationships.

The Koreans then provided some traditional entertainment, which was followed by some spectacular demonstrations of the art of Taekwondo. The International competitors must have viewed the demonstrations with some trepidation as they saw how skilled the Koreans were at their art. We discovered that the Koreans had been expected some 400 competitors, however over 1,100 turned up to take part, and we pay tribute to the organisation skills of the Koreans for dealing so well with the additional competitors.

Following the demonstrations the junior Poomsae (pattern) competition got underway. The number of Korean entries for this competition was extremely high, and tensions were high with the Panther squad knowing how renowned the Korean were. But undaunted Panther stormed through this competition. Roberto Belfiore and Trey Bogul, each won a coveted gold medal in their groups.

Roberto was the only International in his group, which was made up of all Koreans, making the Gold medal win even more cherished, particularly as he managed to achieve scores of 9.0, 9.4 & 9.5. Daniella Gilbert and Courtney Sullivan each did extremely well taking Silver medals in their groups, and Bronze medals were won by Reece Thangarajah, Sammay Gilbert, Kerian Traille, Nathan Roy, Jamal Miller and Emmanuel Hawkes. The adult Poomsae competition followed and once again Panther fared well with a Gold medal being won by Andrea Bennett and Silver by Bernadette Modeste. Jonathan Tetten, Wayne Roye, Phillip White and Junior Phipps each took a Bronze medal. The days tally for Panther totalled a grand 4 Gold, 3 Silver and 10 Bronze medals.

Day two brought the championships that everyone was waiting for, the Sparring competitions, where this time the grand total of medals won by the Panther team was 6 Gold, 5 Silver and 6 Bronze medals. After gaining the winning points, nathan roye cleverly managed to keep his opponent at bay towards the end of the match, thus ensuring a well earned 2nd Gold medal, whilst Roberto Belfiore didn't mess about, going for a knock out to also win a 2nd Gold medal. Completing the hat trick Trey Bogul too won a 2nd Gold medal for the academy.

The junior's tally of medals in the sparring was 4 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze. The senior sparring competitions had many memorable moments in the tournaments and some terrific matches to watch. What a dilemma for the Panther supporters however when Phillip White and Bassil Richardson ended up fighting each other in the finals of their group, but no matter what the outcome Panther were guaranteed a Gold and a Silver. Phil took the Gold with a very pleased Wayne taking Silver.

One of the most memorable bouts of the tournament however, had to be that of Junior Phipps. Junior used his kicks to a great advantage, sending his opponent flying from the ring and on occasion; it seemed, almost out of the arena. His opponent spent so much time out of the ring however that he was disqualified for running away, leaving Junior to take the Gold medal. The tally for Panther seniors sparring was 2 Gold, 2 Silver, and 2 Bronze making the grand total of 34 medals in all for Panther Taekwondo in the championships.

The performance and appearance of the Panther team, both inside the arena and outside the arena, brought many compliments from other teams and their supporters. The World Taekwondo Federation was so impressed, that the President of the Kyonggi University Dr Jing Bang Yang presented a special award to Master Ewan Briscoe at the reception given for the Heads of Teams. What an achievement!!

Panthers On The Prowl | By Will Scott

PANTHER Taekwondo Academy came within a whisker of winning the Junior German Open from their hosts.

But there was no disgrace in the club's second place finish when you consider it took only eight fighters to compete in the tournament, compared to the German team of 43.

Panthers' master instructor and founder, Ewan Briscoe, was delighted with the performance of his young starlets, who came back from the competition with two gold, one silver and five bronze medals.

He said: "They were magnificent. Considering we only took eight fighters to the competition and to finish second overall is a brilliant achievement. Imagine if we took as many fighters as the German squad? We would have come first, second third and fourth!"

Roberto Belfiorie, 14, from Catford, claimed gold; Kirian Traile, 12, also from Catford, took gold, Sammy May Gilbert, 12, from Catford, 12, won a silver, her twin, Danniela, claimed a bronze; Nathan Roye, 14, from Bromley won a bronze; Jamel Miller, 11, from Catford was also a bronze winner; Courtney Sullivan, 12, from Catford took bronze as did Richard Roach, who is 14. Sullamine Gaye, 25, from Lewisham, won gold in the men's event.

The 46-year-old Briscoe says none of this would have been possible without the help of his celebrity friends from the world of boxing, martial arts, music and film; many of whom turned up at the clubs' presentation evening to acknowledge the Panther's achievements.

Briscoe commented: "Not only has funds been raised by the celebrities and friends of the academy, but I am proud to see so many people willing to assist our young economically challenged children to fulfil their dreams.

Attending the ceremony included: Grand master Gary Wasineski, 10th Dan black-belt; the highest official non-Japanese black-belt instructor in England.

Master grand master Tony Vohra, 7th Dan black-belt Kukkiwon; certified the highest official non-Korean black-belt instructor in England.

Kancho Tony Ellen, 7th Dan black-belt; one of the leading local Kempo Karate instructors in the country.

Renshi Victor Wade, 5th Dan black-belt and undefeated British kick-boxing champion and Wayne Roye, Academy vice-president and team coach.

Danny Jon Jules, is one of Panther's most successful students, and has had starring roles on stage, TV and film, such as: Cats, Red Dwarf, and Blade Two alongside Hollywood star Wesley Snipes. They were all joined by former British and Commonwealth boxing champion, Julius Francis; acclaimed Mobo nominee, Dj Mistri and radio star DJ Smiley P.

Briscoe was officially credited by Grand Master Tony Vohra, as the President of the London Korean Samurai, at the ceremony.

And the event was brought to an emotional close when he was presented with a 6th Dan karate black-belt by Grand Master Gary Wasnesky in recognition for his services to the martial arts community over the last 25 years.

CAPTION: I TAEK THAT: Master Ewan Briscoe is flanked (from left) by Jamal Miller, Roberto Belfiore, Nathan Roye, Courtney Sullivan and Jonathan Registe.

Panthers Show Black Magic

Twelve Panther Taekwondo Black Belt Academy students between the ages of ten and 37 were celebrating after successfully attaining their black belts.

The promotion test was conducted by World Taekwondo Federation-certified examiner Master Pan 7th Dan Black Belt, who took time out of his busy schedule to come down to Panther Taekwondo, at St Dunstans College, Catford, where the event took place Master Pan said: They passed at a very high standard and are all a credit to their instructor and academy. The following achieved 1st Dan Black Belts: Jamal Miller, 10, from Catford; Steven Tran, 12, also from Catford; Natasha Ramfphul, 13, from Lee; Alain Mutombo, 29, from Forest Hill and Jonathan Tetteh, 36, from Catford.

These students achieved 2nd Dan Black Belt: Kierian Traille, 11, and Robreto Belfiore, 13, from Catford; Nathan Roye, 14, from Bromley; Courtney Sullivan, 14, from Catford; Natasha Registe, 14, from Bromley; Rosa-Maria Belfiore, 15, Catford and Roye Waine, 37, from Bromley.

Panther Taekwondo has become one of the most well-known and well-established taekwondo schools nationally and is internationally respected for its team spirit and standards of discipline, courtesy and social responsibility.

It is proud to note that many of its students have won many international championship-winning medals, including a trip to South Korea, the home of taekwondo, where every player returned with winners' medals.

Many students have even gone on to open taekwondo classes of their own.

CAPTION: Nathan Roye and Roberto Belfiore in sparring action

Black Belt Academy Eighty-Nine.. rest nil

Eighty-nine members of the Panther Taekwondo Black-belt Academy School, based at the Irish Centre, in Davenport Road, Catford, have been celebrating after they all passed their grading tests.

Actor Colin Salmon interupted his very busy schedule after his latest blockbuster film, Alien versus Predator, to help celebrate these achievements with his long time friend Ewan Briscoe, founder and president of the award-winning academy.

Briscoe said: "Colin is one of Britain's most renowned actors. With a bold voice and posture, he makes his characters a favourite among audiences for every role he plays.

"He made his feature debut as Sgt Robert Oswald in the British mega-hit mini-series Prime Suspect 2 back in 1992, which gave him much acclaim among British audiences.

"He has had a recurring role in the James Bond films, such as Charles Robinson, M's Chief of Staff.

"Colin has also appeared as Commander James One Shade, in the videogame-to-movie Resident Evil and played Oonu, squad leader of the Skybax in the mini-series Dinotopia.

"His other film credits include Captives, Wisdom of Crocodiles, Fanny and Elvis, Mind Games and My Kingdom. His theatre credits feature Ariadne at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall."

Panther Taekwondo was founded on an ancient code of model citizenship espoused by the earliest practitioners of Taekwondo: loyalty to country; filial piety; honour and integrity; courage in battle and justice in the use of force.

Briscoe added: "Practitioners of Panther Taekwondo Black-belt Academy today strive for these same ideals.

"Through rigorous physical exertion, the practitioner strives to achieve harmony of mind and body, and indomitable strength of spirit.

"Panther Taekwondo has become one of the most well-known and well-established schools, nationally and internationally respected for team spirit and standards of discipline, courtesy and social responsibility. "

Established in 1987, the academy is proud to note that many of its students have won many international championship-winning medals, including a trip to South Korea, the home of Taekwondo, where every player returned with winners' medals.

Many students have even gone on to open taekwondo classes of their own.

Indeed, most of the taekwondo club instructors in Catford, Deptford, Lewisham, Greenwich, Woolwich and the surrounding areas have been taught since they were beginners.

They have been greatly influenced by the style of Briscoe and his award-winning academy, which can be clearly seen in its teaching methods and administration.

Briscoe, meanwhile, left yesterday for a short trip to Antigua.

Prior to his departure and referring to the Caribbean which was battered by Hurricane Ivan last week, Briscoe quipped: "I'm oveerseeing some training sessions, providing Antigua is still there!"

CAPTION: Roberto Belfiore, Courtney Sullivan and Kullam Roye celebrate their black-belt grading successes with Ewan Briscoe (second right) and actor Colin Salmon at the Irish Centre.