Endurance Martial Arts Academy celebrates landmark season of success
Northampton's Endurance Martial Arts Academy is celebrating one of the most significant competitive years in its history, marked by outstanding international results, national victories, and the continued progression of its coaching team and students.
Last month, four fighters from Endurance were selected to represent the ICO England Team at the ICO World Championships after ten months of intensive preparation with ICO Team England Head Coach, Sensei Neil Kelly, at USKA Birmingham. Their performances reflected discipline, consistency and world-class capability, producing an exceptional set of results:
Shak Ahmed – 2 × gold medal. Adam Wilson – 2 × silver medals; Eric Judd – Silver medal, Oliver Wilson – strong world-level performance and valuable experience
For Chief Instructor Shak Ahmed, the double-gold achievement carries a deeper story. Returning to competition only last year following spinal surgery, he spent twelve months rebuilding, competing regularly, and demonstrating the power of resilience and disciplined training. His comeback included opening the show at Maximus II in April against Kelson Barbosa from Brazil, setting the tone for an extraordinary competitive year that culminated in becoming a two-time ICO World Champion.
The academy’s momentum continued at national level shortly after the World Championships. At the ISKA British Open, Endurance athletes achieved another series of podium finishes:
Gold – Alex Hobbs; Gold – Mark Evans, two silvers and one bronze
Combined with earlier successes throughout the year, Endurance has delivered consistent competitive results across 2025, with multiple athletes earning medals at English, British and international events listed on Kihapp. These results demonstrate a clear development pathway within the academy—one that supports complete beginners, recreational students and aspiring fighters alike.
However, Endurance Martial Arts Academy is not built solely on competition. A strong self-defence programme forms the foundation of the academy’s curriculum, offering practical skills, personal confidence and life-enhancing benefits for children, teenagers and adults across Northampton. While many members go on to compete, the academy’s primary focus remains on building capable, confident individuals both on and off the mats.
With the academy now operating from a new full-time location, students benefit from expanded training hours, increased mat space and a professional environment built for progression, fitness, self-defence and high-level coaching. The academy now runs classes six days a week and continues to grow as one of Northampton’s leading martial arts centres.
Endurance Martial Arts Academy has a proven record of producing English, British and World Champions, and continues to keep Northampton firmly on the map as a home of talented martial artists. Whether someone is seeking confidence, fitness, self-defence or the opportunity to compete at world level, Endurance offers a structured and supportive pathway that turns intention into achievement.