Murrays Taekwondo - Gina Koutsopoulou

Gina Koutsopoulou

Grades

• 2004 (ITF) Taekwondo 3rd Degree Black Belt
• 2003 (ITF) International Tang Soo Do 1st Degree Black Belt
• 2009 Krav Maga Defensive Tactics : Level B-1 Tanakada Ryu

Qualifications

History

Gina Koutsopoulou arrived in Leeds in September 1992 from Athens, Hellas to commence her PhD studies at the Department of Psychology at the University of Leeds. In 1996 she started learning the system of ITF Taekwondo (TKD) at the University’s Club with Andrew Murray who in 2005 took the Club over from Master Kim Stones. In 2004 she achieved her third degree in Taekwondo and in 2003 her first degree in ITF Tangsoo do.

Since Gina begun training at the University of Leeds TKD Club she has never actually left it! As a student of Taekwondo Gina actively participated in the committee as an elected member, in training and assisting in the TKD instruction. At the same time she started adding on to her schedule the undertaking of several courses in fitness and other martial arts in order to primarily improve her own performance in TKD as well as her own training, practice, teaching, learning, and coaching skills. Gina is specialised in designing and delivering various types of combat style fitness classes and workouts. Her teaching sessions are well informed, safe, effective, diverse and dynamic.

Gina participated in competitions in any given opportunity and in 2003 she won a World Championship in England, London in the category of sparring. It was that year that she was invited to join the Hellenic Squad Team of Tangsoodo. In October 2006 at the Netherlands she also became International Champion in the category of sparring and breaking.

Gina had the opportunity to be trained with great people who believed in her and pulled her to perform at her best such as Andy Murray, Steve Derrig, Paul Liversidge and Spyros Vellios. Gina is very happy to coach TKD at the University Club where she started her training alongside her first Instructor Mr. Andy Murray.

 As Gina’s competencies in TKD, fitness matters and other martial arts developed she became more interested and involved in safety, health and security matters. Gina went on to undertake training to become specialized in consultations of risk assessment in close protection. Gina has worked in various doors, events, and in door supervision here in the UK and abroad and in security related departments for international events (i.e. Athens 2004, Accreditation Department, Organizing Committee of the Olympic, and Paraolympic Games, Athens, Greece; Mediterranean Games; European Swimming Championships). She still continues to undertake seminars and workshops as part of her continuous professional development.

 Indicative Seminars, Workshops

•  2009 Premier Instruction College UK, Kick boxing, Krav Maga, Kali and MMA, at Leeds Taekwondo and Premier Martial Arts Centre
• 2008 Amateur Martial Arts Association UK National Association of Martial Arts and WAKO (Multi-Style Seminar: Kick boxing, Judo, Praying Mantis, Capoweira, Ju-Jitsu, Karate, Contract Tai-Chi, Esrima, Okinawan Kobudo, TKD with Mr. Ian Reynolds, Ju-Jitsu) at Leeds Metropolitan University
•  2008 and 2009 Certificate of attendance Fit Camps Fitness and Training, Blackpool
• 2005 Geoff Thompson Self-defence seminar, Coventry
• 2003 Progressive Fighting Systems, London
• 2002 Workshop Pure Energy Career Focus A New Vision Presenter Search, virgin Active Leeds
• 2002 Pure energy Live Educational convention at the University of Birmingham University
• 2002 Self Defense and Personal Protection 2-day seminar with Robert Cook, Virgin Active, Leeds
• 2001 World Fitness Experience, Blackpool, Steve Watson
• Attended seminars with Bill Superfoot Wallace, Tony Sewell, Nicki Berrick at the University of Leeds organised by the Black Belt Schools International.

 Current Memberships

• Registered Boxercise^TM Instructor
• Member of the Register of Independent Professional Fitness Instructors

 Indicative Coaching Experience

• 2009-2011 Assistant Instructor for Andy Murrays TKD
• 1999 - LUU Boxercise Club/Society Founder and Instructor
• 1998-2001 Fitness Instructor, The University of Leeds Sports Centre
• 2002-2004 Assistant Instructor for the Blue Dragon Taekwondo with Mr. Steve Derrig, Virgin Active, Leeds

 Competitions

• 2005 International Championships Tang Soo do, 1^st Breaking
• 2003 World Championships Tang Soo do, London  1^st Sparring
• Won several awards and medals in national competitions in sparring, team sparring and breaking.

 Hobbies and Interests

Psychology

Learning