Master David Venkatachellum
Master David Venkatachellum
Founder & Head Instructor
Everyone has a reason for doing what they do. Everyone has a story.
This is my story.
I was born and raised in South East London (England) to a Scottish mother and a Mauritian father. My mum is white, and my dad is Indian in appearance.
That’s relevant because growing up in the 70s and 80s meant being exposed to a lot of racial prejudice, ignorance, and a sprinkling of outright stupidity. I was relentlessly teased, particularly by other Asian kids who saw me as “different.”
As an adult, I stand at a respectable 6'6" tall, but I was tall as a child too—and that didn’t always feel like an advantage.
I was bullied at school for both my height and my mixed background.
I was a sensitive child, and the bullying became overwhelming at one point.
When I was 9, my dad decided to take me along to our local martial arts class.
It was Karate, as it was the only option in our area at the time. I remember crying before the class even began—I was so nervous. But two pivotal things happened that day.
First, my instructor noticed that I was upset and took the time to explain why people in the class were shouting.
That small act of kindness made a big difference. Second, I discovered that my instructor, Sensei Pauline, was married to an Indian man.
Their family setup mirrored my own, and it made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t experienced before.
Both Sensei Lee and the late Sensei Pauline became my mentors. I don’t think they ever fully realised the impact they had on my life. Their teachings have stayed with me and continue to influence how I teach today.
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This is the earliest photo I own of me in a Martial Arts class. Taken by an old school friend Richard Jezard. Back then taking pictures wasn't how it is today. You never really documented yourself in the same way we do these days.
I was 17, and was in my 8th year of training. Classes were off the scale tough back in the 80's & 90's.
Modern training standards have forced the Martial Arts to find safer ways to get to the end result.
Taking on my very first premises, I took to social media to pay tribute to my father who took me to my first class and supported me in my younger years.
Short story is I simply loved it, and now over 40 years later I find myself in a very privileged position. I have been running my own very successful physical Taekwondo Academy teaching all ages from just 3 years old all the way up to 60.
Believe it or not, one of those students was my very own mother.
Taking on the new Academy. This property was twice the size of the old place, and again took to social media to thank my mother for all her support over the years, she was an amazing instructor within the Academy.
I took to social media to express my gratitude to my parents because I think it's really important not just to celebrate present successes but also to acknowledge where you came from.
You possibly wouldn't be reading this if it wasn't for my parents.
In recent years, our academy underwent a significant transition.
After operating from a full-time facility for 13 years, we made the decision to move back to leisure centres and church halls.
This change wasn’t easy, but it was necessary due to rising costs, including a sudden rent increase, higher utility bills, and the ongoing challenges of recovering from the impact of Covid-19.
While it was a difficult decision, it allowed us to focus on what truly matters: providing high-quality martial arts training and fostering a sense of community.
These new venues have brought unexpected benefits, such as free and accessible parking and the opportunity to reconnect with the grassroots spirit of martial arts.
The heart of our academy has always been our people, and this transition has reminded us that it’s not the building but the relationships and shared passion that make our academy special.
Recently, I’ve started treading new paths - developing franchise opportunities, writing books for children, and even exploring creative projects like stage shows and screenplays.
While these ventures are exciting, my heart remains firmly rooted in martial arts.
Every student I meet becomes part of my journey, just as I hope to become part of theirs.
I’m committed to ensuring you feel supported every step of the way, whether you’re just beginning or striving toward a black belt.
If you have any questions, I’m here for you. Let’s take this journey together.
