SBG Legacy: Karl Tanswell's Story

I’ve been working on this project for nearly four years. It’s been a difficult one to finish for many reasons, however, lockdown has been a time for reflection and reappraisal for us all and has, in a way, helped me finish what Karl and I set out to do in 2017.
Karl Tanswell has been involved in martial arts and combat sports most of his life. He raised title winning athletes as Head Coach and Director of SBG UK and the SBG Manchester Fight Team. He is known as an innovator within MMA and has been involved from the early roots of the sport's evolution.
This short film is about Karl, and his legacy. Please give it a watch and feel inspired to join your local SBG Training Centre.
straightblastgymuk.com/locations/
Special thanks to Karl's family, especially his wife Ella, for giving me the opportunity to bring Karl's story to you all.
Thank you to Matt Inman, Alex Enlund, Chris Lam, Dan Hardy, Cage Warriors, UFC & ITV for contributing to the film.
Thanks,
Allen Crouch.
@allen_crouch
________________________
Director & Producer - Allen Crouch
Assistant Producer - Kat Towers
Cameras - Tom Reece, Phil Burke, Carl Bentley, Allen Crouch
Editor - Allen Crouch
With thanks to Karl Tanswell, Ella Tanswell, Matt Inman, Alex Enlund, Chris Lam, Dan Hardy, John Kavanagh, Matt Thornton, Cage Warriors, UFC, ITV, MUTV, Phil Matthews, Stefano Bozzi, Stephen Bibby and everyone at SBG Manchester.

[@ashleysmith6586]

Although I’m not the sporty type in any form, I’m very proud of my Dad’s accomplishments and what a great legacy to leave behind. Very emotional for me to watch as I grew up coming in and out while all this was going on and remember quite a lot of it, from the house in Stretford to the old gyms. Thank you for making this video, it will be something I shall treasure for years to come.

[@allencrouch8516]

You’re very welcome Ashley.

[@user-hg7mo5ht5x]

You’re welcome

[@mrt2760]

I knew your Dad Ashley, in fact I remember going back to the flats in OT one Xmas Eve when he was seeing your Mum (before you were born), all I can say is when I first met your Dad around 94 I hit it off with him right away, he was a top bloke.

[@glenroberts8699]

Rip Karl bless you brother and thank you

[@cgjjSimonHayes]

Karl thank you for everything you did for MMA and BJJ in the UK.Thank you for giving so many young fighters inspiration, guidance and a home to train from. You are missed. May you rest in peace Sensei.

[@paulcole1938]

RIP Karl ♥️

[@fernandaalvarezprieto9413]

The best 🖤

[@bobharding3714]

Brilliant film

[@abusayed93]

RIP Karl

[@RyanLawless]

I met Karl at a seminar many years ago. I was a couple of years removed from professional fighting at that point, but I turned to the gym owner where I was still training shortly after talking through some skills with Karl and said, "No offense, but I want Karl to coach and corner me if I ever return to pro fighting." Karl's presence, personality, and professionalism made me trust him as a coach almost immediately upon meeting him. That is a reflection of him as a man. I was saddened to hear of his death. I remember him well and he is still in my thoughts these many years on. Excellent video memorializing Karl's legacy.

[@straightblastgymedmonton9033]

One in a billion. Well done 👍

[@Kevjin]

Had the pleasure to train with Karl at SBG Manchester in around 2006. Such a welcoming guy, as long as you weren't a dick. He was so kind to me and my friends. Loved my short time there. RIP.

[@mickdoylegym]

Fantastic tribute to a fantastic human. True Martial Artist and top man that I am lucky to have spent a little time around

[@vtsormpa]

Amazing film, thank you! I only knew Karl for a short period of time but he was an incredible human.

[@Fr3ddyu]

Awesome documentary. Karl was easily one of my favorite sbg black belts I’ve ever had the pleasure of learning from. Maybe because he spoke Chinese to me whenever we’d meet! Sending love form sbg NorCal.

[@mircow.]

Great documentary! I have to admit I didn’t know Karl Tanswell very good and honestly I only trained with him once, when he taught a BJJ fundamentals weekend seminar in Germany, but I can remember every detail still today he taught back then and still use lots of it on the mats today. After the seminar we went for dinner and I remember him as a super funny guy (English humor), good guy and outstanding skillful bjj teacher. So I today browsed KZbin and found this documentary about him, which I haven’t seen before. The short time I got Karl to know on and of the mats in my perspective I only had positive impressions of him in my head. May he Rest In Peace! When I heard of Karl‘s death, although not knowing him good and only for a very short time, I really was shocked and sad.

[@jordandunston6628]

Enjoyed watching this karl still cant believe your gone went to sttetford mall the other day wlth our aimee showed her where old broady st was and where your house used to be i rememer your old glossed yellow front door by the karl its ray I'm not on social media anymore so ive used our jordans channal had a dream the other night you were training me and i couldn't throw a kick with my arthritis i woke up in yhe morning and my arthritis was 10 fold i must of been kicking out in my dream i really wanted to do it lol i know your in spirit karl hope your at peace now brother

[@georgebamby3592]

Allen, I have just spent such an emotional time watching this. Thank you so much for sharing it. Karl is my brother, we were separated as kids and I miss him dearly. Thank you for giving me something to remind me of him X

[@allencrouch8516]

Hi Geroge, it was my pleasure. I’m happy you have this film to remember him by.

[@georgebamby3592]

@@allencrouch8516 my email is [e-mail] email me yoir number mate it wpuld be great to have a chat so I can speak to you about Karl..

[@Meandros81]

Quality

[@derekcrankshaft4528]

Lovely film.

[@paulfriend8610]

Lovely tribute. Karl was a great guy and had incredible attention to detail with techniques. RIP Karl.

[@calitriuk]

Absolute Legend! RIP

[@broonbreed7193]

Went to a good few seminars Karl put on back in the day, he was something special, amazing teacher

[@EclipseCGI]

This is such a superb film, I'm glad I came across it. I trained with Karl right at the moment he began his own classes next door to Steve Powells. I even did his posters for the first Defence Unlimited classes. I used to have an hour of 1 on 1 with Karl in JKD/Kali/JJ before I did the class with Steve, just through the door, and I was extremely fortunate to have taught alongside him on Sundays for his kids classes (he was preparing me to teach in his classes, I did a couple of sessions when he was unavailable too). Unfortunately, I had a very bad cruciate injury in Steves class, and Karl was straight on the scene. He gave me first aid, rode with me in the ambulance through Manchester and was the first face I saw when I came round in A&E after having my leg reset. Im not sure what happened after that as I woke up at my girlfriends in Cheetham Hill. I think I got up and walked out high as a kite on morphine. I was back training in a steel splint the following Tuesday. Karl was very helpful with physio, but my leg was/is ruined. I cherish the times I had with Karl, training with him almost everyday for a couple of years. He could be scary as hell, but also very warm and understanding. Just an all round top bloke. Its a great film, thank you.

[@NabilAbdulrashidComedy]

Had no idea he had a kali background!

[@wesleybennett3503]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@chaisehda349]

Gbnf❤️

[@Paintballman251]

Brilliant film