Bertrand Van Den Plas

I started Shotokan Karate at 11 inspired by Jean-Claude Van Damme, the Belgian action movie star (I'm also Belgian). At 18yo, I stopped all training and moved away from home to go to University.

A few years later, one night in Brussels I got attacked by 3 people. I got out of this situation unhurt (which is awesome) but with a clear realization that my Karate training did not have me prepared for such a situation and I had no clue what to do. It was dark and late and I was alone against 3 people who had a clear plan. The outcome could have been way worse for me if my attackers had not been satisfied with my phone and wallet.

This is when I decided to go back to training and look for something more useful. I had Krav Maga on my radar for a while and I decided to give it a go. First with IKM back in Belgium. I instantly got hooked. What I was taught was pragmatic and was preparing me to deal with so many situations I had never even thought of.

I now understand how my behavior contributed to putting me in that unfortunate situation back then. And most importantly I know how I should have reacted to prevent that situation.

After moving to New Zealand I joined KMG (Krav Maga Global) and received my instructor diploma in Australia in 2017. I taught under Aaron Moore (New Zealand KMG Director) for 5 years before opening my school in West Auckland.

I now live in West Auckland and I want to bring something to the community I now belong to. I hope that you will join our classes to have fun and learn, what I believe, are important skills.

Email: bertrand@kravmagawa.co.nz