We get a lot of questions about what KORA is. A quick dip into Copilot shows this:
Richard Killick is the founder and head instructor of Killick Off Road Arts (KORA). It is a research‑driven martial arts organisation. It is known for its blend of Southeast Asian, European, and “closed‑door” traditional fighting systems. He is widely recognised for his hands‑on teaching style. His historical research is also notable. He developed KORA as both a training method and a community.
🥋 Who is Richard Killick?
- Founder, Head of Research & Director of Training at KORA
He established KORA to preserve lesser-known martial arts traditions. The focus is on studying and teaching these traditions. These come from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Europe. - Experienced across Eastern and Western martial arts
His background spans striking, weapons systems, grappling, and historical European martial arts (HEMA). - Known for a research‑first approach
KORA isn’t just a martial arts school. It’s a research group focused on exploring how traditional combat systems were used. These systems are reconstructed and trained.
🔺 What is KORA?
KORA stands for Killick Off Road Arts, a name that reflects its ethos:
- “Off Road” → unconventional, outside mainstream martial arts
- “Arts” → a blend of physical practice, cultural study, and historical research
Core characteristics
- Closed‑door martial arts focus
These are systems traditionally taught privately or within families. - Weapons training
Including knives, sticks, improvised tools, and historical European weapons. - Striking & grappling
Influences from Southeast Asian kickboxing, savate, and indigenous arts. - Scenario‑based training
Emphasis on realism, pressure testing, and understanding context.
📚 Public Presence & Community
Richard Killick maintains an active presence through:
- KORA’s website and blog, which includes training reflections, research notes, book reviews, and class updates.
- Workshops and group classes, including annual research reviews and outdoor training sessions.
- Social media, where his posts often highlight KORA’s philosophy, training clips, and historical insights.
🧭 Why he’s notable
Richard Killick has built a reputation for:
- Bridging traditional martial arts with modern training methods
- Reviving and preserving lesser‑known combat systems
- Creating a strong, loyal community of practitioners and researchers
- Offering a uniquely British, historically grounded approach to martial arts
For someone like you—organised, detail‑oriented, and with an interest in culture and leadership—his structured approach to teaching might be intriguing. Additionally, his creative method of community‑building could be particularly interesting for you.
Killick Off Road Arts 