- HSG Judo Rostock, Germany
Judo 1977 — 1978

- Trybull Jiu-Jitsu and Judo Rostock , Germany
Certified DTSB* Trainer , Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Self-Defense , 1978 — 1982
*DTSB = Deutscher Turn- und Sportbund

Ralph had the pleasure to learn directly from Sensei Johannes Trybull and also from many members of his trainer team in one of the very few clubs, that existed back then in East Germany. Johannes Trybull (1908-1986), a highly decorated World War II veteran, started to learn Jiu-Jitsu during the late 1920's in Yokohama, Japan. See also on Facebook certificate 1 and certificate 2. Ralph also learned from Sensei Trybull's direct students Olaf Trybull (his grandson) and Joachim Drechsler.
Johannes Trybull died on October 9th 1986 at the age of 78 in Rostock (Traueranzeigen Ostsee Zeitung Rostock im Namen von Elsa Trybull).

---> Interesting Fact: Not just following a recent trend; No, already in the 1970's did this Jiu-Jitsu school actively include a variety of kettlebell exercises, also as quite a "full-contact" partner training. Decades earlier, in the 1910's, 1920's, kettlebell training was very popular in athletic clubs in Germany.

- Personal Training in Rostock and Berlin Germany
Trainer, Wing Tsun Kung Fu, Escrima, Self-Defense , 1984 — 1988
During the "East German" years Ralph received extensive personal instruction from highly qualified teachers who visited him, crossing the 'Iron Curtain' from the West, disguised as tourists.

- EWTO Instructor Academy at Langenzell Castle near Heidelberg, Germany
Certified EWTO Trainer, Wing Tsun Kung Fu, WingTsun-ChiKung, Latosa-Escrima, Self-Defense , 1990 - 1994 (self-financed trainer education)
Ralph joined for several years seminars throughout Europe, following his Sifu Keith Kernspecht and Sigung Leung Ting to Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and England.

- AWTO / IWTA Instructor Canada
Certified AWTO Trainer, 1994 - 2000
Ralph attended many seminars of his Sihing Emin Boztepe throughout the USA and Canada. He invited Grandmasters Leung Ting and Rene Latosa to Canada.

- Notable Instructors 1984 - 2000
Sifu Leo Czech, EWTO & WTOI (Italian WT Organization), Leo was a former professional boxer (264 fights) in the camp of Gustav „Bubi“ Scholz.
Sifu Peter Vilimek, EWTO, www.wt-berlin-neukoelln.de/lehrer.html
Si-Fu Keith R. Kernspecht, Grandmaster EWTO, European Chief-Instructor, www.ewto.de
Sifu Heinrich "The Cat" Pfaff, Chief-Instructor, www.ml-maf.com
Sifu Giuseppe Schembri, EWTO Switzerland, www.ewto.ch
Sifu Salih Avci, Chief-Instructor WTEO, www.wteo.org
Sifu Emin Boztepe, Chief-Instructor EBMAS, www.ebmas.net

Ralph Haenel also had the pleasure to learn during Wing Tsun seminars from Sifu Thomas Mannes, Sifu Frank Ringeisen, Sifu Klaus "The Giant" Dingeldein, Sifu Turan Ataseven and others.

Furthermore, visits to the schools of the late Sifu Thomas Roggenkamp, Sifu Hans-Peter Edel and Sifu Christoph Gefeke stand out.

Starting in 1989, Ralph received over the years instruction in Escrima from Peter Vilimek, Juergen Knapp, GM Bill Newman, GM Rene Latosa and Emin Boztepe.