HOPWOOD FIGHT CENTRE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Founder and Chief Instructor of the British Free Fighting Academy
Andy Hopwood was born in February of 1965 in the village of Taverham, Norfolk, England. Moving to Birmingham aged 4, he developed a love for martial arts gaining black belts in both Kyushindo Karate and Ju Jitsu.
In 1995, Andy became Founder and Chief Instructor of the British Free Fighting Academy and has since cemented himself as one of the UK's leading combat and fitness experts, with an established list of celebrity clients from premier league footballers and motor racing champions to famous soap actors.
Andy has been involved in martial arts and fitness for over 45 years and is a 7th degree black belt in British Free Fighting. Andy has also twice been inducted into the prestigious ‘Combat Hall of Fame'.
Andy has most recently become the UK President of the World Kickboxing Federation and Head Coach of Fight Team UK.
Connor Hopwood is a talented young martial artist. Connor gained his junior first Dan black belt at the record age of 10 and then went on to break another record in gaining his second Dan junior black belt at the age of 12. After four years away, Connor returned to achieve his 2nd Dan adult black belt at the age of 16 (yet another record).
Connor now competes regularly in different disciplines of martial arts and is working hard to become a world class MMA fighter. At the age of 20, Connor teaches with enthusiasm and passion while mentoring young fighters in the team.
Connor loves to pass on knowledge to different generations and is truly a product of the prestigious British Free Fighting Academy.
Emma Gregory is the Clinic Manager for our in-house Injury Clinic EZ Movement.
She graduated from the University of Worcester with a first-class honours' degree in Sports Therapy and has experience working in a variety of sports including football, basketball, rugby union and rugby 7's. Emma has also volunteered at events such as London marathon, Forest of Dean half-marathon, and Ironman circuit competitions, providing sports massage, stretching and first aid.
At EZ Movement, Emma helps people with MSK Conditions and injuries by providing injury assessments, exercise rehabilitation, sports massage, myofascial cupping, and joint mobilisations. If you would like more information please visit www.ezmovement.co.uk.
Sharon Hopwood was born in September 1969 and grew up in Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
Sharon has always been passionate about health and fitness. After working oversees for the Armed Forces, Sharon qualified as a fitness instructor and has worked at some of the UK's most prestigious health clubs.
Sharon has been a personal safety and combat instructor since 2002 and is widely recognised as being the UK's leading female in this field. As a highly experienced 4th degree black belt, Sharon is the world's highest ranked female in the martial art of Free Fighting; her credentials include:
4th degree black belt in British Free Fighting
Personal Safety and Combat Instructor
Ricky Hatton Boxing for Fitness Coach
Holistic Sports Nutritionist - My recipes can be found online at CookVeganCook.com
Life Coach
Safe Guarding Officer
Sharon is Strength & Conditioning Coach and Nutrition Consultant to our Championship winning fight team.
Sharon is available for private one-to-one sessions, group sessions and workshops in the UK and throughout the world.
Sid Khaliq is a passionate instructor and a firm favourite with our members.
Sid loves to pass on his vast knowledge of martial arts and self defence to anyone who is keen to learn.
Having spent most of his working life in the security industry, Sid knows the techniques and methods of practical self defence that work when it really matters.
As a second degree Black Belt in British Free Fighting, kickboxing & MMA Referee and a First Aid instructor, with Sid you are in very safe hands!