Our Trainers
MIKHAIL KOGAN – FOUNDER OF KOGAN SELF DEFENSE
Mikhail is a Grand Master in Hapkido, State Director in Hapkido-GHA, Grand Master in WUCAA Combat Free Fight, Grand Master & Founder of Spetsnaz USA DART, 6th Degree Black Belt in Combat Kung Fu, and 6th Degree Black Belt in Cruchalo.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Mr. Kogan is the founder of the Spetsnaz USA Crushalo school of Hand-to-Hand Combat in the United States. He has studied, practiced, and taught Hand-to-Hand Combat and Martial Arts and Self-Defense for over 40 years. Mr. Kogan is certified as a Master Instructor in Crushalo, Karate-do, and he is a Kick-boxing trainer. Mr. Kogan is a black belt in Judo, Grand Master in Marshal Arts (WUCAA), 6th Degree Black Belt in Combat Kung-Fu and a U.S.S.R. Master of Sport in Combat Sambo.
Mr. Kogan has taught Hand-to-Hand Combat in the former Soviet Union to the Speznaz (the most elite unit of the Russian military).Since 1990, he has been teaching the U.S. operatives of various government agencies the techniques of Hand-to-Hand Combat, Self-Defense and crowd-control both, with and without, weapons. Mr. Kogan developed unique and lethal sword and knife techniques as well.
His dedication to the philosophy and principles of Self-Defense has resulted in the development of a unique fighting style combining Self-Defense, Martial Arts and Hand-to-Hand Combat technique based on Crushalo principles. This unique technique develops discipline, character, physical conditioning, mental and physical strength, mind control and is based on the philosophy of positive thinking.
Mr. Kogan is currently teaching classes of various complexity levels. It is his passion and love for the Art of Self-Defense in all of its various forms, which makes his classes successful for those who wish to gain the knowledge and self-discipline.
1985 – 1990 Frunze Military Academy Moscow, USSR Combat Systems Consultant/Instructor
As a member of Russian Federation of Kung Fu planned and established Center of Hand-To-Hand Combat within Frunze Military Academy (the equivalent of the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA or the British Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC), Watchfield, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom) where developed, standardized and implemented Combat Systems throughout training programs for USSR Army upper rank personnel. Official instruction book “Soviet Army Combat System” was published based on techniques and training instructions from my classroom.
1979 – 1985 Moscow Defense Forces Unit Moscow, USSR Combat Systems Instructor
Responsible for Hand to Hand Combat training of Moscow Defense Special Forces Unit, part of the Soviet Army responsible for city of Moscow defenses. Unit included Special Forces brigades, Military Police units and Federal Security Services personnel.
Mikhail speaks English and Russian languages.
MIKHAIL KOGAN’S CERTIFICATIONS
- Grand Master in Marshal Arts (WUCAA)
- 6th Degree Black Belt in Combat Kung-Fu
- Crushalo-Choy 6th Degree Black Belt
- Turando 5 Degree Back Belt
- Grand Master Hapkido
- U.S.S.R. Master of Sport in Combat Sambo
