Eyal Yanilov (born in 1959) studied Krav Maga under the personal tutelage of its founder, imi Sde-Or (Lichtenfeld), and has served as the Grand master's closest assistant and foremost disciple since the early 1980s. Active in this field since 1974, he is now its most senior instructor. Mr. Yanilov is the only individual who carries the highest grade ever given by Imi (Master level 3/Expert level 8) and holds the unique “Founder's Diploma of Excellence" (This diploma was given only to two persons, the other - one of Eyal's students, Mr. Darren Levine, Expert level 6, of the United States).