Ite Lemalu Writings

NZ Dojo 2024 June Intake

By Ite Lemalu / 20/09/2024

Fale Dojo / NJPW NZ Dojo proudly welcomed the 2024 June Intake under the leadership of Toks Fale aka New...

NZ Dojo 2023 September Intake – Part Two

By Ite Lemalu / 15/12/2023

The newest additions to the Fale Dojo / NZ Dojo roll call include young lions that have travelled from Germany,...

NZ Dojo 2023 September Intake – Part One

By Ite Lemalu / 15/12/2023

The Fale Dojo / NZ Dojo 2023 September Intake commenced training on the first week of September. Led by Toks...

Oskar’s Odyssey to New Japan Pro-Wrestling

By Ite Lemalu / 22/11/2023

Oskar Leube’s odyssey to New Japan Pro-Wrestling has been three years in the making. Beginning in 2019, Leube trained for...

The Fighting Spirit of Yuto Nakashima

By Ite Lemalu / 22/11/2023

The journey of Yuto Nakashima is one that is remarkably rare. Nakashima, a former professional Mix Martial Arts fighter in...

NZ Dojo 2023 June Intake – Part Three

By Ite Lemalu / 13/09/2023

Coach, foundation graduate, and Co-Director Mark Tui trained directly under Toks Fale. As Co-Directors, Tui and Fale set the vision...

NZ Dojo 2023 June Intake – Part Two

By Ite Lemalu / 13/09/2023

Pro-Wrestling Coach Tony Kozina oversees the day-to-day development of the young lions. With 27 years of experience, Kozina helped shape...

NZ Dojo 2023 June Intake – Part One

By Ite Lemalu / 13/09/2023

NZ Dojo / Fale Dojo welcomed the second intake of 2023 which began on the first week of June. This...

Fale Dojo 2023 February Intake – Part 2

By Ite Lemalu / 18/05/2023

In keeping with the theme of determination and unity, Fale Dojo / NZ Dojo Pro-Wrestling Coach, Tony Kozina weighed in...

Fale Dojo 2023 February Intake – Part 1

By Ite Lemalu / 16/05/2023

Determined and united to the end! An apt description of the young lions of the Fale Dojo / NZ Dojo...

Fale Dojo 2019 February Intake – Part 2

Posted on14/03/201915/09/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

The idea of community is vital in the wrestling industry as it is in any profession that functions on the collaboration between people. The wrestling industry – especially is crucially dependent on people working together. For instance, it takes a minimum of two wrestlers to have a match and a referee to control the conflict Read More …

Fale Dojo 2019 February Intake – Part 1

Posted on06/03/201915/09/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo is excited to welcome the first of three intakes for 2019. The February intake is the biggest group yet which consists of ten Young Lions. These successful applicants have travelled from all over the world as well as parts of New Zealand to embark on the three-month pro wrestling training course led by Read More …

When You Invest in Yourself and Others

Posted on14/02/201924/04/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

“You think I’m not ready? Well, look right in front of you … I was ready a long time ago!” – ‘Switchblade’ Jay White, New Japan Pro Wrestling IWGP Heavyweight Champion. This photo which was shared by Toks Fale aka “The Rogue General” Bad Luck Fale marks the very first meeting between him and Jay White in Read More …

Jay White captures the IWGP Championship

Posted on12/02/201920/09/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

Jay White has become the first New Zealander to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. In addition to holding this distinct honour, White, a proud Fale Dojo graduates, is also the second Kiwi to hold a recognised world heavyweight title since Pat O’Connor’s NWA title win in 1959. White captured New Japan Pro Wrestling’s premier championship Read More …

Wrestle Kingdom 13: The Striker vs. The Grappler

Posted on04/01/201928/04/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

It is an exciting time to be a pro wrestling fan. New Japan Pro Wrestling will start the 2019 wrestling calendar with their biggest event, Wrestle Kingdom 13. This extravaganza has become widely popular with fans across the globe since New Japan began to expand their market. As a Fale Dojo staff member, which of Read More …

The Young Lions journey with Michael Richards and Andrew Villalobos

Posted on20/12/201831/03/2022AuthorIte Lemalu1 Comment

In October 2018, Michael Richards and Andrew Villalobos joined the ranks of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Dojo in Tokyo. Prior to moving over to Japan, Richards and Villalobos first completed the three-month professional wrestling training course at Fale Dojo, Auckland, New Zealand, a partner of NJPW. As they near the end of their trial with Read More …

Remembering the Dynamite Kid

Posted on06/12/201801/05/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

Thomas Billington, known famously as the Dynamite Kid, was one half of the tag team, the British Bulldogs along with Davey Boy Smith. Dynamite was also an integral part of the Junior Heavyweight division. This style of wrestling was commonly suited for wrestlers smaller in stature than those of the heavyweight division. The Junior Heavyweight genre Read More …

Bullet Club dominates New Japan’s dream team

Posted on03/12/201824/04/2020AuthorIte Lemalu1 Comment

“You can’t beat me, you can’t beat us, you can’t beat the Bullet Club”. This was the statement that “Switchblade” Jay White roared throughout Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall as Bullet Club members Bad Luck Fale, Taiji Ishimori and the “Switchblade” stood triumphant over the crowd’s fallen heroes Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and KUSHIDA in the main Read More …

NZ Strong Style – An Ally, Not A Colony

Posted on29/11/201809/07/2022AuthorIte Lemalu2 Comments

Since the reports began to surface about the WWE approaching the wrestlers on the NXT UK brand with new contracts that would prevent them from working with other UK promotions that are not associated with the WWE, it made me think about the wrestling scene in New Zealand and Australia. By entertaining the thought of Read More …

Bringing a Switchblade to a Gun Fight – Jay White joins Bullet Club OG

Posted on10/10/201824/04/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

The search is over! Bullet Club OGs have welcomed three new members to the group. The reinforcements were made recently at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s King of Pro Wrestling event. Japanese legends Gedo, and Jado along with “Switchblade” Jay White were recruited during an attack that was instigated on Kazuchika Okada by BCOGs Bad Luck Read More …