Name: Sir Usman Ali
Role: Instructor at Hadri Taekwondo Clayhall
Grade: 3rd Dan Black Belt
Sir Usman’s passion for Taekwondo was ignited when called upon to help out in a Taekwondo sparring tournament whereupon he signed up for training, worked hard towards getting himself prepared for participating in the kind of competition he had just help run. On route to his black belt qualification, he took part in a number of local and national competitions successfully. He has many notable achievements in the sparring arena most memorable securing gold medals competing in two different weight categories in the same tournament on two separate occasions, a feat only accomplished by Master Esrar previously.
Just as he had given support in the sparring tournament, in the Dojang whilst still a yellow belt, he assisted with the training, closely working with Master Esrar. It wasn’t surprise then, when shortly after black belt qualification, he founded Hadri Taekwondo Clayhall with his brother and father. Together, under his leadership, they grew the club from a hand full of students to now over 30 regular students today.
Sir Usman has a very simple philosophy, “do the things that need doing when they need doing”. As with other Academy clubs fun and challenges are essential ingredients in all session plans, however, simplicity is the name of game as far as Sir Usman is concerned. Although it is important to learn a variety of techniques, when it comes to combat use the techniques that work for you.
If you want to experience ‘stealth learning’, few are better than Sir Usman. In the Dojang students fall into line automatically as he expertly leads them through a series of exercises by the time the session is over each and every student seems to light up with self-discovery having found in themselves a new ability.