WHO AM I?
My name is Eric Khoo, a Malaysian, born and bred, in my home-state of Johore and earning my bread and butter in Kuala Lumpur for the past 35 years. I have been involved in martial arts since joining Taekwon-do (ITF) in 1985 and have not looked back since. My martial arts journey has taken me through many experiences with other martial arts for the very purpose of self-improvement, connecting with people and a deep interest in learning. So much so that at the end of 2016, I quit my day job to dive into teaching full-time.
My Martial Arts Journey
Taekwon-do (ITF)
Taekwon-do (ITF)
My first taste of a different martial art experience came from Hapkido. Though my teacher in Taekwon-do had elements of locking and submission in his curriculum, my total immersion into Hapkido came through a week-long seminar with Grandmaster Mounir Ghrawi from Canada in 2008. I attained my 2nd Degree in Hapkido under the World Kido Federation in 2013. Along the way, I had the privilege to attend a 2-day workshop with world renowned Hapkido Grandmaster Juerg Zigler (who recently passed on the 3rd October 2020).
My first foray into the realm of martial arts was in Taekwon-do under the International Taekwon-do Federation founded by the late General Choi Hong Hi. My teacher and instructor from that first day in 1985 till the present has been no one else but Grandmaster Yeow Cheng Watt. In essence, he "birth" me into the martial arts and spurred my interest in this arena. In 2013, I was tested and conferred my 5th Degree Blackbelt by him. My 6th Degree was conferred to me by Grandmaster Steve Ng
Hapkido (WKF)
Jeet Kune Do
In 2018 & 2019, I was privileged to attend seminars by the well-known Jeet Kune Do instructor, Sifu Salem Assli, a senior full instructor under the legendary Dan Inosanto. I was able to test under him and attained my Apprentice Instructor Level One certification to allow me to represent his organisation Alliance Francias Jeet Kune Do (AFJKD) and to conduct classes here in Malaysia as his West Malaysia representative. My representation (along with Guro Francis Yong representing East Malaysia) can be found on Sifu Salem's website here
Interspersed through my years of martial travels, I have had the honor and privilege to learn from many great teachers and train with friends in different disciplines. It has always been my vision to share and exchange knowledge with people of similar interests. Here's to many more years of sharing and learning together!
Guro Salem Assli's workshop in Kuching, Sarawak 2018
I had the pleasure to experience silat training with Guru Maul Mornie of Silat Suffian Bela Diri in 2015 for the first ever SSBD seminar in Malaysia and many of his yearly seminars after that.
Attended Seicho Jutsu's founder and Grandmaster Daniel Verkerke's seminar on knife and cane weapons training back in 2009.
Working with under privileged children of Enggang Apartments in Puchong on behalf of Pusat Sama Sama for a free monthly self defense workshop back in 2014 with the SEN Master Team
Invitation to provide a workshop on self defense for the Universiti Malaya Accounting Faculty retreat in 2015 with the SEN Master Team
A half day workshop for staff of Yayasan Khazanah at their premises back in 2017 with the SEN Master Team
The old days prior to 2010 during a Taekwon-do class emphasizing reality based self defense in a fully padded (and extremely hot!) Bulletman Suit
My Credentials
1. Taekwon-do (ITF) - 6th Dan
2. Hapkido (World Kido Federation) - 2nd Dan
3. Kickboxing (Fitness Edutraining Asia, ACE Approved) - Certified Personal Trainer
4. Jeet Kune Do (Jun Fan & Filipino Kali) - Apprentice Instructor Level 1 (AFJKD)
- Assistant Instructor (Shifu Kanishka Combatives)
5. Accredited Health & Fitness Instructor
* My certificates are listed here
I have extensive experience training Special Needs individuals using martial arts as a form of therapy at SEN MASTER Academy since 2016. The range of conditions I have helped coached covers Autism, Down's Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis and various developmental delay conditions.