Senior Grandmaster Andy Elliott
Traditional roots.
Modern application.
Relentless curiosity.
At a Glance
🇦🇺 Country: Australia
⚔️ Primary System: Kombatan Presas Style
🧭 Founder: Kali 3D
🌍 International Teaching: 30+ countries
🛡️ Special Interests: Combatives, pressure testing, tactical application
🤝 World FMA Alliance: Founding member
For more than four decades, Andy Elliott has dedicated his life to understanding what makes martial arts truly effective.
His journey has taken him from traditional Filipino Martial Arts to modern combatives, from the docks and security industry in Melbourne to teaching seminars around the world. Along the way, one question has driven everything he does:
"Does it really work?"
That relentless curiosity has shaped Andy into one of Australia's most respected Filipino Martial Arts instructors, known not only for his depth of knowledge but also for his willingness to question, test and continually refine his understanding.
A Lifetime in Kombatan Presas Style
Although Andy has explored many martial arts throughout his life, Kombatan Presas Style has remained the foundation of his Filipino Martial Arts journey.
Over decades of loyal service, teaching and international promotion of the system, Andy became one of the art's most respected ambassadors outside the Philippines.
His lifelong commitment was recognised when Grandmaster Ernesto Presas Jr., son of the late Great Grandmaster Ernesto Presas, personally promoted Andy to 10th Degree Black Belt and Grandmaster.
More than a rank, it represents decades of dedication to preserving, teaching and strengthening the art across generations and around the world.
Today Andy continues to serve as the Australian Chief Instructor and Secretary General for Kombatan Presas Style while remaining deeply committed to sharing the system with integrity and respect.
Beyond Tradition
The Influence of Multi-Dimensional Warriors
While tradition provides strong roots, Andy has always believed martial arts should also withstand the realities of modern violence.
This search eventually led him to Multi-Dimensional Warriors (MDW) in South Africa under Mark Human.
South Africa presents an environment where violence is often immediate and unavoidable. Training is not centred on competition or recreation—it is built around survival.
Andy found himself drawn to MDW's brutally honest methodology.
Rather than collecting techniques, MDW teaches adaptable principles that flow naturally between knife work, empty-hand fighting, environmental awareness and decision making under pressure.
The emphasis is always on functionality.
Andy became not only an instructor within MDW, but also one of a very small group of internationally recognised mentors trusted to represent and teach the system.
The experience profoundly influenced the way he viewed traditional Filipino Martial Arts—not by replacing tradition, but by helping him see it through a different lens.
The Evolution of Kali3D
Kali 3D was never created to replace traditional Filipino Martial Arts.
It grew naturally from decades spent asking deeper questions.
How do traditional principles apply in today's world?
How can timeless movement patterns solve modern problems?
What happens when we remove assumptions and honestly pressure-test every idea?
Rather than changing the foundations of Kombatan, Andy began exploring how its principles could be understood and applied in ways that many practitioners had never considered.
The result became Kali 3D - a constantly evolving exploration of functionality, adaptability and honest problem solving while remaining firmly connected to traditional Filipino Martial Arts.
What Makes Andy's Teaching Different?
Many instructors teach techniques.
Andy teaches principles.
What makes Andy different is the way he shares it.
Students quickly discover that Andy rarely teaches techniques as isolated movements.
Expect questions.
Expect experimentation.
Expect to discover that a movement you've practised for years may have several completely different applications.
His classes are thoughtful, practical and often surprising, encouraging students to think beyond memorised drills while always remaining grounded in pressure-tested reality.
Highlights
10th Degree Black Belt and Senior Grandmaster in Kombatan Presas Style
Personally promoted to Grandmaster by Great Grandmaster Ernesto Presas Snr.
Australian Chief Instructor and Secretary General for Kombatan Presas Style
Founder of Kali 3D
International seminar instructor in more than 30 countries
Instructor and Mentor within Multi-Dimensional Warriors (South Africa)
Inducted into the FMA International Hall of Fame
Awarded by the Senate President of the Philippines for significant contributions to Filipino Martial Arts worldwide
Internationally recognised instructor across Filipino Martial Arts, combatives and personal safety
Featured internationally in martial arts magazines and media
What You'll Experience at Kali in Bali
Training with Andy is both challenging and inspiring.
You'll quickly realise that every exercise has a purpose.
Every question is welcomed.
Every movement is explored.
Whether you're completely new to Filipino Martial Arts or have trained for decades, you'll leave with practical ideas that continue to develop long after you've returned home.
Many participants describe Andy's sessions as the ones that make them rethink not only how they train, but why.
A Personal Reflection
From Heikki
I've known Andy for many years, but our relationship has grown far beyond simply training together. When people ask me who has influenced the way I think about martial arts, Andy is always near the top of the list.
He's been a mentor, a sounding board and, more importantly, a trusted friend.
His willingness to question accepted ideas while remaining deeply respectful of tradition has influenced my own thinking more than he probably realises.
Since moving on from my previous organisation, Andy has been one of the people whose advice and perspective I've valued most.
I'm genuinely grateful that our students have the opportunity to spend time with him each year at Kali in Bali.
Not only because of what he knows…
…but because of the person he is.
Train With Andy at Kali in Bali
Whether your interest lies in traditional Filipino Martial Arts, modern combatives, personal development or simply becoming a more thoughtful martial artist, Andy's sessions will challenge, inspire and leave you seeing familiar ideas in entirely new ways.
Join us in Bali and experience firsthand why students from around the world continue to seek out his teaching year after year.
⚔️ Train with Grandmaster Andy Elliott at Kali in Bali 2027
