RDX backs Zen Combat Academy in major sponsorship deal

Zen Combat Academy join up with RDX Sports to benefit martial arts in North Devon

Bideford-based Zen Combat Academy has secured a major new sponsorship partnership with global combat sports brand RDX Sports, which will kit out the Academy's training centre and support its growing team of fighters.

The partnership is a significant milestone for the Academy, which now has more than 130 students training across a range of martial arts and combat sports.

As part of the agreement, RDX will provide equipment including hanging and freestanding punch bags, boxing and MMA gloves, shin guards and other essential training gear.

Academy founder and head instructor Jason Ashton said the partnership would benefit both students and fighters.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Zen Combat Academy and, more importantly, for our students,” he said. “Having a company of the calibre of RDX supporting us is something we are incredibly proud of.

“This isn't simply about putting equipment into the gym. It is about investing in our students, our fighters and the future of combat sports in North Devon.”

The partnership also includes DGM Fitness and owner Dan McCarthy, strengthening links between the Academy, its fighters and the wider fitness community.

Alongside the sponsorship, Ashton continues to champion greater inclusivity and accessibility in martial arts through his work with the International Inclusive Taekwon-Do Association (IITA).

Speaking recently on The Voice Radio, he outlined his vision of creating opportunities for people with disabilities and additional needs to train, progress and, where appropriate, compete.

“Martial arts has so much to offer everybody, regardless of ability,” Ashton said. “If someone wants to train, we should be looking at how we can make that possible.

“We want Zen Combat Academy to be more than just somewhere people come to train,” he said. “We want it to be a centre where people can learn, compete, build confidence, make friends and achieve things they never thought possible.”