West Lothian martial arts club expands with new training base

A new martial arts club has opened after Kuk Sool Won of Livingston opened its doors recently.

The club is based at West Lothian College returns to the town, having previously ran classes there since its inception in 2005 until covid.

Following the pandemic, the club opened a full-time facility in Bathgate with owner Master Graham Philp saying returning to Livingston was the next logical move.

He said: “Kuk Sool Won is getting bigger in West Lothian with our club in Bathgate and our sister school in Winchburgh. Opening again in Livingston was the logical next step to allow the Livingston residents, and surrounding areas, the opportunity to train in this fantastic martial art”.

The club has celebrated huge amounts of success in recent years, winning titles at local, national and international levels.

Kuk Sool Won is a Korean Martial Art which was officially founded in 1961 and pulls together all of Korea’s fighting arts into one system and includes hand strikes, kicks, joint locks, grappling, throws, pressure points, weapons and much more.

Master Graham added: “Kuk Sool Won practice is great for anyone of any age or ability who wants to learn martial arts for self-defence.

“It’s also great for general health and fitness. Our focus at the moment is on building a community where everyone feels safe and has the skills to defend themselves should the situation present itself.

“Our anti-bullying campaign has been really well received and we have had massively positive feedback from our students and parents on how we have helped build confidence and transform lives.”

He added: “Our focus is on training students to be the best version of themselves whilst improving their mental and physical health and not on profit.

“We are