1Touch Certified Coaches

Umit Turkusev, United Kingdom - Level 3 Coach, Co-Founder/Creator 1Touch

Umit Turkusev was born in Istanbul, Turkey. At the age of 15, Umit started boxing. He competed professionally for 5 years. At the age of 22, Umit discovered that he had vision problems and had to stop practicing the sport. IN 1992 Umit came to England to treat his vision loss. He contacted Social Services in the same and volunteered to work helping those people who are blind to achieve confidence in themselves. Umit has been helping people who are blind to enjoy themselves and to actively engage in their lives for over 40 years. In 1995, Umit got his first guide dog. He is the first Turkish person ever to use a guide dog. Umit has always been an example to people who are blind and striven to lead by example.

At a presentation hosted by the 1Touch, Umit met Stephen Nicholls who was running self-defence classes for the blind. Stephen asked him to help him develop the program and Umit agreed. He was instrumental in creating the 1Touch Project. Without Umit’s contributions, the 1Touch would never have been developed and refined into the premier self-defence program for the blind that exists today .The 1Touch Project (formerly the Mega No Maki Program) was developed through constant forensic examination of those challenges facing people who are blind. Umit is totally blind and the first person ever to receive the 1Touch Coaching Certificate. He opened self-defence classes in Hackney, London, for the blind in October of 2009. Umit is active in the program to this day, working both as an instructor and advisor. He has demonstrated extraordinary resilience, leadership ability and priceless contribution to the 1Touch Project as well as the community it serves.

The Turkusev Award is named after him and awarded at the Annual 1Touch Coaches Conference to the coach who has contributed the most to both the community and 1Touch Project.

Andy Manwaring, United Kingdom - Level 3 Coach, Director 1Touch

Andy holds a 9th Dan and Professor in Traditional Ju-Jitsu, with over 40 years' experience in teaching. Having taught all over the world, he is the Head of a UK and a European Multi-Style Martial Arts Organisation, and the UK Representative for the American Jujitsu Institute, one of the oldest organisations outside Japan.

Andy has a 25+ year track record of developing, delivering and quality assurance of high-quality training courses across the UK. Specialising in the training, development and consultancy of; Personal Safety, Breakaway and Physical skills within a number of sectors, including Local Government, Government Departments and Police Defence Tactics Trainers.

He is a Registered Trainer Member and is on the Board with the ICM (Institute of Conflict Management), who advises on the prevention and management of work-related violence.

William "Bill" Mallett, Ireland and United Kingdom - Level 3 Coach, Director 1Touch

Bill started his career in martial arts over 26 years ago and is a 5th Dan black belt in Ju-Jitsu and has trained in various systems over the years, including 1Touch. He is a highly qualified trainer/instructor and has been actively involved in training delivery within law enforcement for over 20 years and is national accredited in a number of disciplines. He also consults on use of force issues within the judicial system as an expert witness and has qualified as a Force Science Analyst. He has had a long and distinguished career and even at the age of 61 he actively seeks to learn more.