Heart, Body, Technique – The Transformation of Michael Richards

Michael Richards is a senior member of the Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo young lions. As a graduate of the June 2018 intake, Richards earned the opportunity to gain further training at the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Dojo in Tokyo. Richards brought his skills back to Fale Dojo in 2019 to help develop the Read More …

Tangi Ropati – When You Invest In Yourself and Others

When the Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo General Community Classes relaunched in February 2020, the plans were implemented by Tangi Ropati. Ropati joined the Dojo staff as Head Trainer of the Community Classes as well as becoming Strength & Conditioning Coach in the Dojo’s three-month professional wrestling training course. Steeped in a rich Read More …

Fale Dojo Boxing Team Victorious At Fight Night Event

The Fale Dojo Boxing Team, under the guidance of Frank ‘the Tank’ Masoe, competed recently at the HardKnocks 13 Fight Night event promoted by HardKnocks Boxing. Auckland’s ABA stadium, the site of HardKnocks 13 was electrifying; packed with an all-inclusive, family-friendly crowd high in anticipation of the three-hour action-packed event that was about to take Read More …

Hikuleo – Product of the Fale Dojo and NJPW Dojo Pathway

When the Fale Dojo professional wrestling training school was created by Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale in 2016, his initial purpose was to present it to his community so that young people could pursue the same opportunities that he had. As the first non-Japanese graduate of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Dojo, Fale recognised the significant parallels Read More …

Interview with Frank Masoe – Fale Dojo Boxing Trainer

Fale Dojo is pleased to welcome Frank “The Tank” Masoe – heavyweight boxer, as part of the coaching staff. Masoe will teach boxing as part of the Dojo’s General Community Classes. In addition, Masoe will add his expertise to the Dojo’s three-month professional wrestling course to help develop the striking technique of the young lions. Read More …

Fale Dojo interview with Gino Gambino

Gino Gambino is a Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo graduate, he is also the Dojo’s Australian liaison. Gambino’s role is to help set up Dojo try-outs in Australia and put forward talent to go through training via the Dojo system. Names such as Andrew Villalobos from Sydney and Jake Taylor from Melbourne have Read More …

Fale Dojo interview with “Sniper of the Skies” Robbie Eagles

Dedication, Respect, Sacrifice, Integrity, Hard Work and Fighting Warrior Spirit! These attributes are what the Fale Dojo trainers look for in a person that attends and takes part in a tryout. Robbie Eagles epitomised each of these qualities when he attended his first New Japan Pro-Wrestling tryout in Melbourne, Australia, 2017. Nicknamed “Sniper of the Read More …

Going Rogue – The Transformation of Bad Luck Fale

On 4 April 2010, Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale made his New Japan Pro-Wrestling debut. Previous to this, Fale underwent two years of intense and vigorous training at the world-renowned NJPW Dojo, during which time he immersed himself in the Japanese culture; becoming fluent in the language as well as the Japanese strong style of professional Read More …

Fale Dojo interview with “Switchblade” Jay White

It wasn’t too long ago when “Switchblade” Jay White was regarded as a ‘foreigner’. In one context, White is a foreigner (gaijin) to the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) landscape, and in a different context a foreigner to the western mainstream. Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, a country that was once a thriving territory of the Read More …

Johnny Gardner – When You Invest in Yourself and Others

Johnny Gardner is one of many students to train at Fale Dojo where he participated in the three-month professional wrestling course. Gardner, a New Zealander was living in Brisbane, Australia when he returned to take part in the September 2018 intake. “I grew up between Auckland and a little town called Kaeo in the far Read More …