Team Members
Sophelia Gentles -Operations Manager, Actor, Stunt Trainee Sophelia is a professional dancer, choreographer, screen combat performer, actress and all round creative. She has been a professional dancer and choreographer for over 15 years, and has dedicated her time to develop skills in unarmed, weapons and firearms. Sophelia is a passionate performer and gives 100% to her crafts whilst using her creative skills to promote authenticity and individuality. Throughout Sophelia's career she has accomplished many accolades such as performing at the MOBO awards, competing internationally, and she was a semifinalist for Sky One’s Got to Dance. She has also worked productions such as ‘The Witcher’, ‘Sandman’ and ‘Wicked’ to name a few.
Olivier Sublet - Firearms Instructor, Actor, Coach Olivier is a Swiss born actor/theatre maker who trained as an actor at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and worked as an actor in the US as well as the UK. His most notable credit to date is performing in the Critically acclaimed immersive show “Trainspotting Live” with which he has performed over 500 times on off-broadway, off-west end, Edinburgh Fringe festival and tours. Since then, Olivier has started his own Production Company called “EVOL Creation”, producing plays and musical events across London, and is the London Coordinator for “Global Mosaic Foundation”, a global fundraising company. Olivier has trained in several martial arts, including Karate (Shotokan), Kung Fu, Systema, Kick Boxing and MMA since the age of 6 and is now a Level 2 Self Defense instructor, trained in hand to hand combat, tactical weapons and close protection, under the Kalah System. Now, Olivier lives in London, working as an actor and theatre maker, and has joined our team here at TAKA as our firearms safety instructor, fellow stuntman.
Damien Ashley - Fight Choreographer, Actor, Coach Damien’s connection to both acting and martial arts can be traced back to his early childhood, finding a passion for martial arts and stage performance from the age of 8 years old. Damien graduated from Middlesex University in 2007 with a BA degree in Acting, continuing his training at the MET film school in the prestigious Ealing Broadway Studios, earning another distinction in Screen Acting. Following the completion of 6 years formal Actors training, Damien then dived into stage and screen combat, completing a course with the BASSC in 2008 before choreographing Damien’s work continued with parts in Shakespeares ‘Titus Andronicus’ at the Camden People’s Theatre and short films for the BFI Southbank such as ‘99 percent Certain’ before being fortunate enough to begin a long course of projects with up and coming Director Mike Clarke from 2014, culminating in a lead role in the independent Horror Film ‘Karli’ (later titled ‘The Stranger’ to the American Market) in 2022, co directed by Clarke and Visual Artist Paul Gerrard. Damien’s training in Martial arts over the last 30 years has seen a mix of many different styles from Wado-Ryu Karate under Master Ray Burrows, Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do under Master Slater, White Crane Kung Fu and Tai Chi under Dr Kathy Yang, Wushu and Shaolin Kung Fu under 34th generation monk Shifu Henglong (following a chance meeting at a workshop at Seni 2007 with Master Wu Bin) and boxing under the tutelage of best friend and ex Heavy Weight pro Lanre Olubamiwo. Along the way, Damien has again been fortunate enough to pick up additional expertise from many pro fighters in various art forms from boxing, K-1 and MMA to name a few. In 2020, Damien qualified with a level 2 in Fitness training along with a certification in padwork delivery from Train Fitness whilst undergoing his PGCE to become a school teacher. These days, Damien approaches his training very methodically after spending a long period of time in and out of hospital (following 2 separate surgeries and a further career altering injury), using these experiences to inject more focus to prehab based approaches to exercise, passing these concepts on to help his clients avoid future injury and in turn, prepare himself for a slow return to performing in fight scenes in the future. Currently, Damien has begun cross training again in boxing under ex pro Joey Taylor and Tae Kwon Do under Master Williams at Wade TKD. ‘Since joining Taka, I have been incredibly fortunate to be guided under the tutelage of coaches Adrian, Eric, Olivier, Kofi and David in fire arms, Kali Escrima, Takedowns and break falls to name a few, helping build upon my prior knowledge and round out an ability that I aim to push to its limits in the years to come.’
Jordan "Rastamonk" Menelakasha - Stunt Performer & Fight Choreographer Jordan "Rastamonk" Moody is a dynamic stunt performer specialising in Hong Kong-style fight choreography, inspired by legends like Jackie Chan. With a background in martial arts and acrobatics, he brings fluid, fast-paced action to the screen, blending creativity with high-impact stunts. Known for his precision, adaptability, and cinematic flair, Jordan delivers fight sequences that are both visually striking and authentically intense. Whether performing or designing choreography, he brings a fresh energy to every project, making him a standout in the industry.
Jaih Betote - Fight Choreographer, Actor, Martial Artist, Dancer, Stunt Performer Jaih Betote started his passion for Martial arts Capoeira at the age of 5 in Brazil and continued learning for 7 years taking him to the UK where he began his love for dance and went on to learn ballet, Jazz, contemporary, tap at Tring Park performing arts school whilst also being part of Kate prince's Zoonation company at the age of 12. That led him to many ventures taking him all over the world. Multiple music videos, backing dancer for Artists, on X Factor, Brit awards, Latin Grammys, Commercials, West End shows such as Message in Bottle, Groove on Down The Road, Mad Hatters Tea Party, leading him to pursue new avenues and music and acting taking him deeper into the entertainment industry being part of 9 feature movies as an actor, Dancer, choreographer, singer, and stunt man, starting with Cats the movie, Aladdin, Cinderella, Mathilda, The Marvels, Snow White as Dopey 1 of the seven dwarfs and a feature bandit, Wicked, Christmas Carols and Sandman series as a stuntman. Jaih has 17 years of experience in performing within the industry and has never stopped wanting and achieving to learn new skills to add to his portfolio to be able to utilise and merge within his craft such as Aerial straps, tricking, wire work, Piano, Guitar, Saxophone, Harmonica and much more. Jaih’s very wide range of adventures in the Arts and Entertainment industry have equipped him with many tools required for working across a multitude of different platforms. It has taken him to being co choreographer for a grammy nominated music video with Jonas Brothers into having the opportunity to be a part of and in fight action scenes with Taka Strike ClubTeam and assistant Choreographer in South London Action. With nearly Two decades of experience in the entertainment industry and an in-depth understanding of his body and craft, Jaih brings authenticity and expertise to his work as a performer and choreographer for theatre, film and Tv. Passionate about learning he continues to pursue new avenues and adventures to grow in all areas across the board.
Petra Hajduk - Actor, Model, Dancer, Stunt Performer Petra is a professional dancer trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, commercial and street dance. Her dance journey began in Croatia where she finished a contemporary dance school, continuing her dance training at Codarts in Rotterdam and Laban in London. Her dance work include music videos, theatre work, live performances, adverts, TV and film. Some of her credits include the film Wicked, Brit Awards, X Factor, Breakin' Convention, Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, Robbie Williams, and brands like Toyota, H&M, Samsung, Pringles and more. She is also a part of Birdgang, an award-winning UK-based dance company. Her love for movement took her on a journey with martial arts and stunts, and she is currently part of Taka Strike Club which specialises in a combination of close combat martial arts techniques and drills that feed in to hand-to-hand combat and multi-weapon choreography. Petra also works as a model and an actress.
Haider Abdullah - Actor, Martial Artist, Stunt Performer, With a foundation built upon years of martial arts mastery, I seamlessly transitioned into screen fighting and acting. Currently enrolled in a part-time program at a collective acting studio, I dedicate myself to two acting classes weekly, alongside engaging in various ad hoc workshops such as accent training, casting director sessions, and voice work. Specializing in stunts, fight scenes, falls, and reactions, I exhibit proficiency in firearm and weapons handling, allowing my roles to seamlessly merge dialogue with dynamic action sequences. Additionally, I possess a keen ability to choreograph fight scenes meticulously, deriving both comfort and fulfilment from this creative endeavour. My credits are I've worked on the beekeeper.. toy boy, Paddington, the completely made up adventures of dick Turpin, warfare
Luke Sinclair - Actor, Martial Artist, Stunt Performer Flips, kicks and falls have always been a big part of Luke’s life. At the age of 9 years old, he began training as a gymnast and discovered an affinity for dynamic movement. 15 years later, Luke has honed his skills, competing at a national level in gymnastics and adopting martial arts such as taekwondo and boxing. During this time, Luke found his passion for performance after taking his somersaults to the streets. Inspired by all things action, from Hollywood blockbusters to Hong Kong cinema and anime, Luke began his journey as a stuntman and has accumulated over 2 years of experience. Luke specialises in on-screen combat and deeply enjoys calling on his acrobatic skillset to keep audiences entertained.