Black Knight Martial Arts
Team
The people on the mat.
Grand Master Nils Onsager
Head Instructor / 8th Dan
Nils is a lifetime martial artist who is committed to learning. He has skills with swords, knives, and other weapons. He earned his 1st degree black belt in 1988, Master in 2003, and Grand Master in 2015. He believes strongly in martial arts training having intent and purpose. He lives in Australia, where he instructs at Black Knight Aus and Two Kings Martial Arts. He comes back to Atlanta a few times a year.
Master Daniel French
Instructor / 4th Dan
Daniel started martial arts in 2004 as an undergrad. When he tried Hapkido, he was hooked by the range of skills. He still loves teaching the art, has branched into HEMA, and often fences in historical tournaments.
Sun Le
Youth Head Instructor / 3rd Dan
Sun, who also goes by Hung, has practiced Hapkido since 2013. He was hooked because the art does not depend on size. He teaches every age group.
Dr. Matthieu Bloch
Teen Head Instructor / 3rd Dan
Dr. Matthieu Bloch started martial arts in grad school, looking for a way to exercise. He chose Hapkido for the self-defense, the room, and the nunchucks and joint locks. Teaching it is still the interesting part.
Michael McKenzie
Instructor / 3rd Dan
Michael started Hapkido as an engineering undergrad in 2009. He likes the simple mechanics, the workout, and the people.
Dr. Victor Ellingsen
Instructor / Manager / 3rd Dan
Victor started in 2013 to get in shape and manage stress. After his first degree he lived out of state, tried other arts, and came back. He likes working with students who are unsure because of size, age, or ability.
Dr. David Safranski
Instructor / 2nd Dan
Dave started at Black Knight in 2017 for a physical and mental challenge. His background is orthopaedic biomechanics. The locks, throws, and grappling are the part he keeps taking apart.
Christian Girala
GT Instructor / 2nd Dan
Christian fuses a soft-style technique with a hard-style background. He teaches the Georgia Tech class.
Kelsey Cavallaro
Women's Hapkido Instructor / 1st Dan
Kelsey came for practical self-defense and has trained for five years at Georgia Tech and Black Knight. She wants the same confidence for other women and for anyone unsure of their place in the art.
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