SOUTHAMPTON women are being offered self-defence classes in a bid to help them feel safer.
Michael Sedzikouski is reaching out to women of all ages and abilities in Southampton to offer them lessons in self-defence.
As sexual offences across Southampton rise, women and girls have been left feeling unsafe while walking the city’s streets.
Michael hopes that his training sessions will help them regain their confidence in Southampton.
He launched Real Fight Club Southampton (RFC) after he suffered serious injuries to his leg in a motorbike accident.
Michael Sedzikouski (Image: Daily Echo, Emily Liddell)
Michael came to the UK from Poland in 2004, starting off working as a firefighter.
He then went on to work on a secure van transporting high-risk patients to and from Southampton General Hospital before taking up a head of security job at a local pub.
Michael has trained in martial arts since he was a teenager starting karate at 17-years-old.
He later took up MMA and combat fighting.
A few year’s ago, Michael suffered serious injuries to his leg in a motorbike accident that saw him bedbound for six months.
Doctors told him it was unlikely he would be able to train again.
“I was very stubborn,” he said.
“As soon as I got back on my feet I was training the muscles in my leg and practising.
“If I wouldn’t be able to train again that would be the end of my life.
“For me, this was basically therapy as I was very depressed after the accident.”
Michael could not return to a gym while his leg was healing, so he built a makeshift gym in his back garden.
Michael Sedzikouski (middle) with members of Real Fight Club Southampton. (Image: Daily Echo, Emily Liddell)
Soon, his friends and neighbours started asking if they could join his training sessions for MMA and self-defence.
The sessions began growing as more and more people heard about the training
After two years of offering free lessons, Michael decided to create an official group where people pay a fee.
Michael said: “The good thing about my training is that I don’t have big groups.
“This means that people have my full attention and I can spend time with my students.
“I think it is important for women to learn self-defence, it will make them more confident.
“Men who attack women are cowards, and if a woman can shock someone attacking her they might be able to get away and keep safe.”
Michael will be hosting lessons for women only at Inner City Boxing in St Mary’s between 1pm and 4pm on weekdays.
Women are also welcome to join evening classes which will be mixed.
To find out more, contact Michael at rfcsotton@gmail.com.
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