Ewan Niven - founder

Ewan has been practicing martial arts for over 20 years. His martial arts journey began in Scotland, where he started practicing judo at 14. This would inspire a lifelong quest to seek out the world's best martial arts instruction.

Ewan’s quest first took him to Minnesota to train with world-famous Sensei Greg Nelson. Here, Ewan competed in mixed martial arts competitions, amassing a perfect record of 6-0.

Next, Ewan moved to New York City and began training with grappling icon and jiu-jitsu GOAT Marcelo Garcia, earning a black belt from him in 2022.

Along the way, Ewan tried his hand at amateur Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu competitions and earned a black belt in judo at the famous Budokwai in London.

Ewan has been teaching private martial arts classes to clients in Manhattan and Brooklyn for the last ten years. This has been a very rewarding endeavor, but Ewan is ready for his next big challenge: establishing his own studio and bringing martial arts to a wider audience.

He is focusing all of his energy and attention on his new school and sharing his passion for martial arts with his students. His mission is to make Daruma Martial Arts a truly special place where people can see the life-changing benefits martial arts training has on them personally and feel how wonderful, supportive, and fun a thriving martial arts community is to be a part of.