Krav Maga, an Israeli mixed martial art with moves akin to karate and judo, is fast gaining importance in India thanks to efforts taken by fight instructor in Chennai S Sreeram.

Briefing the media in the city yesterday, Krav Maga instructor (Chennai chapter) Sreeram said, ‘ The recent racial attacks on Indians abroad, especially in Australia, in the last couple of weeks have shown the vulnerability of Indian students and professionals studying or working in foreign countries.’

This has prompted the need to develop self-defence techniques among Indians more than ever before, said Sreeram. In this context, Krav Maga exponents here have decided to launch a self-defence programme to equip those going abroad with the necessary skills and techniques to handle and neutralise such assaults, said Sreeram.

A crash course lasting 40 hours in Krav Maga can  train those going abroad to take care of themselves. The 40- hour course will be spread across 20 classes of two hours each. Krav Maga training will be technique- based and not strength or flexibility-based.

The training will be suitable for anybody aged from 15 to 50 with average fitness. The objective of the course is not to train the vulnerable to fight, but to defend effectively in a manner to minimise damage to self and to neutralise the attacker, enabling quick escape. Most of the Krav Maga training will be simulations as close to reality as possible.

Techniques such as basic punches, kicks and blocks; release from shirt-holds; release from different types of hand-holds; release from different hair- holds; release from different types of chokes, release from different types of hugs, defence against punches, kicks and counter attacks, defending knife attacks, neutralising assailant and fleeing, among others.

Training will be conducted by Sreeram, certified instructor of International Krav Maga Federation. He can be contacted on phone no: 93400 06600.