I have been involved in the martial arts since 1971 and was among the first group of martial artists to move from non-contact karate to full contact training this was the very start of Kickboxing in the UK, I was also amongst the first to train under the legendary Grandmaster Toddy (Thosaphon Sitiwatjana) and was one of the first generation of Muay Thai Coaches in the UK under Master Toddy.

I now specialise in Filipino Martial Arts. I own and operate a full time martial arts academy in Plymouth, Devon and am the founder of Blade Warriors International, National Black Belt Schools UK & the Barong Kalasag Kuntaw Kali/Silat System.

I am an Executive Board Member of the British Council of Kali, Eskrima, Arnis Instructors (BCKEAI) and UK Director and International Advisor for the Official Philippine Martial Arts Hall of Fame (PMAHOF)

I have appeared on TV & in various newspaper articles in the Philippines and the U.K. on a number of occasions and feature in three books; LEGENDS OF THE MARTIAL ARTS (Vol 2.), THE WARRIOR'S PATH & THE WORLD'S GREATEST MARTIAL ARTISTS.

I am a three times Doce Pares Hall of Fame Inductee.

In 2008 received the award for "Best Organisation".

In 2010 I was awarded "Exemplary Dedication to Doce Pares".

In 2014 I received the "Valuable Cacoy Doce Pares Grandmaster Award".

In 2015 I was inducted into the Philippines Martial Arts Hall of Fame receiving International Martial Artist of the Year Award and the first UK FMA Instructor to be inducted.

In April 2016 I was appointed UK Director for the Philippines Martial Arts Hall of Fame and in 2018 appointed International Advisor.

In April 2019 I received the FMA DECREE OF MARHALIKA AWARD from the PMAHoF.

I also hold affiliations with many International Organisations including:

- Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation
- World San Miguel Eskrima Organization
- Martial Arts Association International
- Filipino Martial Arts Instructors Association
- World Karate & Kickboxing Council
- Council of World Masters
- British Council of Kali, Eskrima, Arnis Instructors
- International Founder & Headmaster Council
- International Board of Black Belts
- Black Belt International Organization
- Cane Masters International Association
- UK Martial Arts Aliance
- Children's University - Learning Provider
- NFPS - National Federation of Personal Safety
- Philippine Martial Arts Hall of Fame

I hold Black Belt Qualifications of various degrees in:
- Tang Soo Do
- Sankukai Karate
- Nanbudo
- Okinawan Kobudo
- White Tiger Gung-Fu
- Tai Chi Chuan
- Muay Thai
- Kickboxing
- Filipino Eskrima
- CDP Eskrido
- Pangamot (Filipino Unarmed Combat)

In 2015 I became the UK Director of Operations for No Lie Blades the global leader in edged weapons combatives and defensive measures and am the founder, CEO and Head of Training for SAKA (Surviving A Knife Attack).

- Level 3 Award in Education & Coaching (formerly PTTLS)

- BTEC Level 3 Advanced Self-Defence Instructor Award

- BTEC Level 3 Advanced Risk Management & Assessment Award

- NFPS Approved Self-Defence Trainer

My pet hates are politics in martial arts and martial arts instructors who do not live by and teach the core values associated with martial arts; i.e. Courtesy, Discipline, Respect and Integrity (especially those who claim to be Master/Grandmaster Grades. I also hate bullying in any form and believe that we are responsible for the attitudes, hopes and ambitions of the next generation so, wise up and do the right thing.

Oh, I'm also gay if that matters to anyone.

You can see video clips of me at youtube under: Anton St James