John McGrath first graded under Master Juerg Ziegler (Switzerland ) in June 2006 and then trained with Grandmaster Ernesto Presas in the Philippines during April 2007 after which the Grandmaster graded  John Mc Grath to 2nd Dan Guro and gave him the privilege as well as the task of establishing Kombatan in Ireland.One of the many unique features of the art is using both sides of the body thus engaging both the right and left side of the brain. To date there are various universities using this art in the training of Doctors .

Waterford Martial Arts intends to teach various parts of the Kombatan curriculum as part of the overall experience.We are presently the only school in Ireland who would be exposing our students to Kombatan Arnis.

A complete Authentic & Realistic Combative Martial Arts System of Self Defense
“An Art within an Art“

Filipino Fighting Arts History

Over the centuries the Philippines has been a crossroad for various cultures trading and fighting. Until recently , few people , inside and outside the Philippines , realized that the indigenous fighting arts of the Philippines represent some of the most effective hand to hand and bladed fighting methods in the world today.

Kali is the mother art of the modern Filipino Martial Arts. Records from the Malay Sri-Vishaya Empire dating to the 8th Century A.D refer to Kali as the art of the Philippines. According to historians , the Ten Datus of Borneo brought their fighting methods to the islands of Panay.Here , basic reading , writing and Kali were taught in the schools.

Due to the loss of written records , the exact techniques of Kali remain a mystery today although elements of Kali remain alive in the foundation of today’s Filipino Martial Arts.
The Spanish began a 400 year occupation of the islands late in the 16th century. To suppress opposition to their rule , the Spanish banned the teachings of Kali. Elements of the art were hidden in folk plays and native dance. However , over time , the Spanish fencing methods were blended into the indigenous fighting framework. Under Spanish influence , the native art become known as Eskrima , Estocada , Arnis de Mano or Arnis.

Arnis historians have cited as many as 200 systems or styles of Arnis-Eskrima-Kali. Fortunately , there have been few men who have come forward to pass on their Filipino fighting arts to theglobal martial arts community. One of the most prominent and innovative of these men is Grandmaster Ernestos A. Presas , founder of Filipino Kombatan Arnis.

After years of study under his father , Jose Presas , a well-known stickfighter in his own right , Grandmaster Ernesto Presas with his brother Professor Remy , was among the first to modernize the classical Filipino systems to include traps , disarms , takedowns , grappling and translate the movements into a formidable weapon ( kali or arnis ) and hand to hand(mano-mano) fighting system called Filipino Kombatan Arnis “Presas Style”

What is Kombatan ?      
Kombatan  is a composite of various classical and modern fighting systems used in the Philippines. The student of Kombatan  Arnis is introduced to the various systems in the full range of fighting.
A emphasis is placed on drills to train the student to react instinctively , students are encouraged to develop their own style of techniques within the Kombatan Arnis framework.

Most other Asian martial arts are taught today in a framework of fixed – position techniques. While this does provide the beginner with simple structure to learn , it requires many years of practice to become proficient at using this structure in a free-form fighting situation where the opponent or assailant may attack at almost any angle.

In contrast also to many other oriental martial arts , the Kombatan Arnis student first learns to handle and defend against weapons. The philosophy is to a large degree cultural bound , but the rationale for this training is that training cane to cane is safer than taking hits to the body and if you can defend against a weapon it will be easier to defend against punches and kicks. Kombatan Arnis is a complete system of hand to hand and weapon combat incorporating empty hand moves based upon the same motions used in weapon fighting.The weapon is just an extension of the hand. It is called “ an art within an art “.

Kombatan Arnis incorporates the aspects of the ancient arts of Judo , Ju-Jitsu , Karate , Kendo , Wing Chun and Muay Thai Kick – Boxing . It is a system that puts it all together! It supplements most other styles by learning to understand “ THE FLOW “. The flow is where the body and weapon movement blend to achieve one’s most natural individual fighting style.

The system is based around 12 angles of attack on the human body and 12 basic ways of dealing with each angle by hand , foot or weapon. In order to do so you will learn – a variety of strikes , kicks , and blocks , a number of locks , holds , sweeps , throws and takedowns . Kombatan Arnis training suits both men and women equally due to the flowing techniques – not relying on force.

Benefits of Kombatan Arnis

• A complete Martial Arts system that incorporates the styles of Judo , Ju Jitsu , Karate , Kendo , Wing Chun , Muay Thai and Kick-Boxing.
• Effective and realistic self defense covering all areas – stand fighting , ground fighting and weapons.
• Teaches how to “ FLOW LIKE WATER “ – not fighting force with force
• Encourages you to develop your own individual fighting style and techniques
• Teaches you how to relax while training
• Develops great co-ordination by using both sides of the body at the same time
• Great for fitness development and body toning
• Develops mental awareness and sharp reflexes wiht the ability to evade , control and neutralize
• Build confidence , self esteem , strength of character and peace of mind
• Affiliation and involvement with a worldwide organization. I.P.M.A.F. (International Philippine Martial Arts Federation)