Kire teaches life skills in self-defence

EVEN chief instructor Kire Antoski (pictured) was somewhat taken aback when he suddenly realised that 2014 would represent the 20th anniversary of when he set up Panthers Martial Arts Academy in Yeovil.

Kire, who moved to England from Macedonia in 1990, has become a skilled martial arts leader in many of its disciplines such as Karate, Ju-Jutsu, Kickboxing and Tai-Jutsu.

And although he has achieved many personal goals over the years, Kire is delighted and proud that he is able to pass on his knowledge to his students at the Academy which is based on the Pen Mill Trading Estate in Oxford Road.

He especially takes pleasure in teaching the juniors in the art of self-defence which is becoming – sadly – more necessary in these tough days.

‘’We look at teaching them how to defend themselves against one or multiple attackers,’’ he said. ‘’We want them to defend themselves against knife attacks, bottle attacks, punches and kicks.’’

Many people will remember Kire when he first arrived in Yeovil and him working as a doorman at the now long-since-gone Gardens Nightclub in town during the 1990s.

But he said that violence on the streets had got far worse since those days with the ferocity of attacks far more savage than those stereotypical bar room brawls of yesteryear.

‘’I’m not training young people to become fighters or bullies; I’m teaching them how to overcome that and the ability to protect themselves,’’ he said. ‘’I’m helping them with their confidence.

‘’There is a high level of discipline within the Academy which can help to teach respect and loyalty and the knowledge they pick up will never become abused.’’

Whatever Kire has been doing at the Academy has certainly reaped its rewards. The Panthers group has had ten World champions, six European champions and 23 British champions.

And Kire is confident that that tally of champions will increase in the years to come.

But he smiles to himself when he thinks it is now 19 years ago when he first formed the Panthers group at Images gym in Yeovil. He then moved to a fitness centre in Dampier Street before heading for his current headquarters at Pen Mill.

‘’It’s been good,’’ he said. ‘’We are now one of the most successful and most respected groups in Somerset and that reputation is something we have earned and deserve.’’

The Academy can cater for the whole family with groups for the four to eight-year-olds, eight to 16-year-olds, and then 16+ and adults.

For more information about Panthers have a look at their website at www.panthersmaa.com or phone 07811-283-482.

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