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From Beginners to 17 UAE National Champions: Our Journey

RAMA Academy | Al Quoz, Dubai

Every champion who has worn a RAMA vest started the same way: nervous, unsure, and stepping onto the mats for the first time. Today, our academy has produced 17 UAE National Champions, and the journey from a warehouse in Al Quoz to the top of the podium is a story worth telling.

World-Class Coaching in Dubai

RAMA is led by Coach Joel Walsh, who brings 19 years of competitive experience at the highest levels. Joel is a multiple British champion, Junior European champion, and has represented both Wales and Team GB on the international stage. His coaching philosophy is simple: technical excellence, character development, and patience.

Joel does not produce champions by rushing athletes into competition. He builds them methodically, one skill at a time, with discipline and care that parents can see from day one.

What Makes RAMA Different

• Small class sizes: Every child gets personal attention. No one is lost in the crowd.
• Progressive system: Athletes move through Preparation, Development, and Competition Team levels based on skill, maturity, and readiness.
• Parent transparency: You will always know where your child stands, what they are working on, and what comes next.
• Character first: Respect, discipline, and humility are non-negotiable. Medals come second to manners.
• World-class coaching: International competitive experience guiding every session, every drill, every correction.

The RAMA Pathway

Preparation Level

This is where every child begins. The focus is on fundamentals: stance, movement, basic strikes, and coordination. There is zero contact between children. The goal is confidence, fitness, and a love for training.

Development Level

Athletes who show commitment and technical readiness progress to Development. Here, controlled pad work intensifies, sparring is introduced gradually, and competition awareness begins. This is where potential becomes visible.

Competition Team

By invitation only. Athletes at this level train specifically for WAKO-sanctioned events at national and international level. They receive specialised preparation including tactical work, weight management guidance, and mental conditioning.

Every Champion Started with a Free Trial

None of our 17 national champions arrived as prodigies. They arrived as beginners, just like your child might. Some were shy. Some had never done a sport before. Some had tried football, swimming, or gymnastics and never found their place. What they all had in common was a first class at RAMA, and coaches who believed in what they could become.