Mr Chapman is an Instructor in the
Llanharan Tang Soo Do School

Name:     Richard James Chapman

Rank:     2nd Dan

Position in School:     Instructor

Years in Martial Arts:     10 years

Accomplishments or Awards:     Those which are particularly memorable, for different reasons:
• Gold and bronze medals for sparring and breaking respectively at the 2004 ITF World Championships, Florida.
• Gold medal for sparring at the ITF 1st European Championships, Cardiff.
• Gold and silver medals for forms and breaking respectively at the Central New York Classic Tournament, 2006.
• Student of the year award Pencoed Tang Soo Do, 2002.
• Gold medal for sparring at the 2010 TTF International Championships, 2010.

Favourite Technique:     Probably, step through hop side kick, because it can be absolutely devastating.

Favourite form:     At the moment, I’m really enjoying Naihanchi Sam Dan, because I’m still learning it; but Bassai Deh is probably my favourite because it’s a real grunter.

Most Influential Martial Artist:     Mr. Rik Weston, not just because he’s a bit of an all-round legend and also the bounciest man in the world. More so, because when I was going through the colour belt ranks he was a green/red belt in my class and all his forms and techniques were absolutely crisp. He always did, and still does set an excellent example to follow.

Other Hobbies:     Playing squash, watching the mighty Ospreys and keeping my couch company.

Last Book Read:     The Belgariad, David Eddings.

Favourite Book:     From Here to Eternity, James Jones.

Last Film Watched:     Kickboxer, it happened to be on TV the other night. It was cheesy, ridiculous but pretty darn enjoyable.

Favourite Movie:     Hot Rod, at the moment.

Favourite Meal:     It is impossible to choose, but the more I think about it the hungrier I get.

Pets:     I’ve recently inherited a pond, complete with five fish and a reclusive frog. My wife appears to be staking a claim for a small share in a big, black, bucket-headed Labrador with a case of N. S. S.