Who’s your instructor?

SIAM KRAV MAGA classes are taught by Stéphane Phimmasone (Saysana), a French certified instructor from the FEKM (European Federation of Krav Maga), one of the five main Krav Maga organizations worldwide*.

Stéphane started martial arts at the age of 11 with Kung Fu. He later practiced Taekwondo for 7 years and earned his 1st Dan black belt in 2001.

He began his Krav Maga journey in 2007 with Grand Master Richard Douïeb, one of the world’s leading Krav Maga representatives, at the first Krav Maga school established in Paris in 1987, Krav Maga Paris Trevise.

Stéphane has been practicing Krav Maga since 2007. He earned his 1st Darga black belt in 2012 and his 2nd Darga in 2014. He obtained his instructor diploma in 2013.

In the FEKM system, a black belt can only be obtained after passing a national examination after a minimum of 5 years of practice. This ensures that practitioners reach a high technical and pedagogical standard.

To become an FEKM certified instructor, candidates must first hold a black belt and then pass a demanding theoretical and practical examination. This process ensures that instructors are properly trained and qualified.

Not all Krav Maga is equal

As the discipline grows in popularity, in some federations, certifications can be obtained in just a few seminars. FEKM instructors go through years of practice and pass rigorous national exams. When choosing a class, always check your instructor’s credentials. [Learn more about the certification]

*The 5 main recognized organizations are: FEKM, IKMA, IKMF, WKMF and Federação Sul Americana de Krav Maga. The FEKM is the largest federation in terms of membership.

Who’s Richard Douïeb?

Richard Douied has been appointed by Imi Lichtenfeld, the founder of Krav Maga, as the official Krav Maga representative in Europe in the late 1980s. He created the European Federation of Krav Maga (FEKM) in 1997.  He is one of the highest Krav Maga personnalities in the world.

Born in Jerusalem, he lived in France until the age of 16 years old when he decided to go back to Israel. As a young man enlisted in the Israeli army, he was trained by top military instructor, and Krav Maga founder, Imi Lichtenfeld.

Richard Douieb devoted himself to Krav Maga and got his instructor qualification in Israel. He opened his first school in 1987 in Paris – Krav Maga Paris Trevise -.

He became a reputed Krav Maga professor in Europe, Black belt 6th dan, federal and military graduate of the State of Israel, and the official and exclusive GIGN trainer (French elite police forces) in self-defense from 1993 to 2005.

What’s the FEKM?

The European Federation of Krav Maga (FEKM) was created in 1997 by Richard DOUIEB, who has been appointed by Imi Lichtenfeld to represent Krav Maga in Europe.

FEKM is the largest Krav Maga federation in the world in terms of memberships: over 20,000  members from 12 European countries in 2017.

The FEKM is composed of numerous commissions managed by FEKM executives who have over 20 years of practice and extensive knowledge of the discipline.

The FEKM delivers Darga (black belt 1st to 6th Darga).