Grand Master (GM) Ridvan established the Australian Martial Arts Academy in Marrickville, Sydney in February 1982. Since then the Academy has grown and expanded its reach through locations such as; Auburn, Casula, Concord, and Mascot. Grand Master Ridvan Manav is a 9th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and a 9th Degree in Hapkido. He was recently inducted into the World Taekwondo Hall of Fame. Throughout his tenure at the Australian Martial Arts Academy as Master, GM Ridvan has seen multiple state, national and international champions develop and succeed in both martial arts and life.

GM Ridvan was 10 years old when he started Judo which was soon followed by boxing. He was 13 years old when he saw his first Bruce Lee movie. From that point on, he became fanatical about Martial Arts, training and travelling the world developing his knowledge through various styles of martial arts.

In the 1980’s GM Ridvan won Numerous state, National and International competitions receiving a gold medal at the World Martial Arts Games. Although that initial drive has taken GM Ridvan to the farthest limits of combative excellence, his mastery extends beyond fighting and into the realm of life.

The Australian Martial Arts & Fitness Academy is home to the X-Treme Team established by GM Ridvan. The X-Treme Team have a long History originating from the foundation of the Australian Martial Arts Academy in 1982. Since then the team has evolved and performed in thousands of locations both in Australia and Around the world. They are an X-Treme Martial Arts Performance Team combining elements from all styles of Traditional Martial Arts with Exciting Choreography, Acrobatics and Weapons. Their credentials include reaching the finals of “ Australias Got Talent” (Channel 7), Performed on shows such as the “Morning show with Kerri-Anne” (Channel 9), “Saturday Disney” (Channel 7), “Sunrise” (Channel 7) Shopping Centres, Festivals all around Australia. Master

GM Ridvan was selected to coach the Australian National Team at the World Taekwondo Championships and has been a VIP Guest at every Olympic Games since Sydney 2000.

GM Ridvan has travelled the world training in different styles of Martial Arts with other masters, seeking to learn and teach the best and most effective Martial Arts to his students. GM Ridvan has trained in the following Martial Arts styles: Hapkido, Compliance Direction Takedown, Grappling, Brazilian Jui Jitsu, Thai Boxing, Kick Boxing, Pressure Points, Weapons, Karate, Judo, and Extreme Martial Arts.  Due to this training and philosophy, classes at the Australian Martial Arts Academy incorporate elements of these skills into all our sessions. GM Ridvan’s focus is provide strategy and direction for AMA as well as Mentoring and guiding the team of instructors in order to achieve AMA’s Mission and Vision.

This commitment to making martial arts accessible and fun for everyone has led to over 150 classes being taught at his schools every week, and the Australian Martial Arts Academy being recognised as the number 1 school (EFC) in the world for educational excellence and teaching.