INSTRUCTOR - BENSON JONG

Benson started training in Krav Maga in 2007 and quickly became addicted to the efficient, easy to learn and no-nonsense self defence principles behind Krav Maga. By day, Benson is an electrical engineer (like Eyal Yanilov!) and qualified as an instructor under Eyal Yanilov and Ilya Dunsky in 2011.

1. How did you get started in Krav Maga?

I first heard about Krav Maga on the TV show 24 where one of the characters was apparently trained in Krav Maga. After doing some internet research and reading the opinions of countless armchair experts I decided to give it a go. The first class I went to was actually a seminar run by Amnon Darsa and I was convinced from the start that no other system came close in real life self defence situations.

2. What were your initial impressions of the training?

Everything is done they way it’s done for a practical reason, not because that’s how it’s been done since it was invented or something like that. I like that you can and are in fact encouraged to ask questions and this helps to develop understanding of the system.

3. How long have you been training in Krav Maga?

I’ve been training in Krav since 2007 and received my instructor certification under the guidance of Eyal Yanilov and Ilya Dunsky in 2011.

4. What other experience do you bring to Krav Maga?

Senior First Aid and Resuscitation.

5. Have you trained in any other combative systems/martial arts type systems?

I did Taekwondo as a kid. It was so long ago I don’t think it counts but it was enough for me to look back and realise that it probably wouldn’t have been very helpful in a bad situation.

6. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start Krav Maga?

Just come with an open mind and give it a try. You can work at your own pace but be prepared to be pushed outside of your comfort zone, just remember – “the more you sweat in training, the less you will bleed in battle”. In my opinion, I think that within the first 1.5 to 2 years, someone training regularly in Krav Maga will have learned how to defend themselves against pretty much every problem they are likely to be confronted with on the street.

7. What are your goals for Krav Maga?

My Krav goals are simple. Learn as much as I can. Be very good at it. Pass on the knowledge to those who need it.