About
ManxTKD

Richard began his Taekwon-Do journey in Dublin in 1989, earning his 1st Dan Black Belt in September 2001. With over 30 years of continuous training and teaching, he now holds the rank of V Dan — a senior grade representing decades of dedicated practice.

A multiple British Champion at both ITF and Open Taekwon-Do championships, and a European Gold and Silver medallist, Richard has competed at the highest level the sport offers. He has trained extensively across North America and EMEA alongside Grand Masters and Masters, attended numerous International Instructors Courses and squad training sessions, and brings a passion for the more dynamic, flamboyant side of Taekwon-Do to every class.

Away from the dojang, Richard is a registered, actively serving Paramedic, a certified Tactical Edge unarmed combatives instructor for situational self-defence, a dad of four, and a committed motorbike enthusiast.

Catherine began her Taekwon-Do journey in October 2013 and has made every year count. In April 2026 she passed her IV Dan Black Belt grading in Bradford — a gruelling four-hour examination conducted by Master Chris Beanland VIII Dan, President of ITFU England — earning the internationally recognised title of Sabeom (International Instructor).

She has competed at the highest national and international levels — earning double silver at the British Championships, silver at the BUTL World Championships, and bronze at the British Championships. From IV Dan, she is formally authorised to conduct official grading examinations worldwide.

In the dojang, she brings precision and dedication to every class — ensuring students are technically grounded and progressing the right way. Where Richard brings the flamboyance, Catherine brings the detail. Together they make a formidable instructing partnership — and she has also, through years of experience, become a better-than-average team dodgeball player during warm-ups.

Master Chris Beanland began his Taekwon-Do journey in 1983, earning his 1st Dan in 1987 under Grand Master Hee Il Cho. Over the following decades he built an exceptional competition record — including a Gold and three Silver medals at World Championship level, his first at the 1994 World Championships in Miami — alongside numerous national and European titles.

Now holding the rank of VIII Dan, Master Beanland serves as President of ITFU-England and is the instructor and examiner for both Richard and Catherine. He visits the Isle of Man three to four times a year to conduct club gradings and seminars, bringing world-class technical knowledge and decades of competitive experience directly to our students.

A founding figure of the ITFU-England, Master Beanland is committed to a non-political, inclusive approach to Taekwon-Do — focused on the art as it was always meant to be taught. His visits are a highlight of the club calendar.