Syed originally started his martial arts training at the age of four in his home city of Swansea.Having come from a family of Kyokushinkai fighters under the direct tutelage of the late Hanshi Steve Arneil, his father originally sought out a Kyokushin dojo nearby, to no avail. In his study of Wado-Ryu, Syed achieved his Shodan black belt at the age of sixteen, after twelve years of solid training. During his teenage years, Syed also competed in many national and international, point-based sport karate tournaments – developing invaluable fighting experience and unique skills that would serve him well in his subsequent combat sports pursuits.

At the age of 19, Syed moved to London to continue his higher education at St. George’s University, earning his BSc in Clinical Pharmacology. This year, he resumed his Kyokushin karate training under Sensei Simeon.

Presently, Syed is a dedicated and active competitive Kyokushin fighter. He also competes as an amateur kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter alongside training in wrestling, MMA, submission grappling and strength & conditioning.

The valuable lessons Syed has learned along his journey within his combat sports career have inspired him to give back to others by sharing these lessons with his students.

His extensive background in various combat sports has helped him to develop an ability to work with all kinds of students, and think outside the box in creative and adaptive ways that complement Kyokushin. For him, the most rewarding aspect of teaching is helping people to discover themselves through , and thus developing invaluable characteristics such as discipline, unshakeable self-confidence, and ambition. Syed firmly believes that people of all walks of life can benefit from training in Kyokushin. His favourite quote is “You do not have to be great to start, but you must start to achieve greatness.

Sensei Marek has vast experience in various styles of hand-to-hand combat systems, including the use of weapons, sticks and tonfa. In addition to his 2nd degree in Shotokan karate, Sensei Marek also achieved 3rd degree in Oyama Karate, and passed the instructors’ exam.s At the young age of fifty-four, Sensei Marek remains an active athlete,regularly taking part in Karate Kyokushin tournaments. He is a strong role model, and an inspiration to all EMAR Dojo students.