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 Exhibition 13 Recap

Posted on29/03/202329/03/2023AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo presented the thirteenth Exhibition on the 17th of March. Held at the Dojo facility in Auckland, the event showcased the young lions from the February 2023 intake. “This is our biggest intake ever,” said Tony Kozina, Fale Dojo / NZ Dojo Pro-Wrestling Coach, and event facilitator. “This time we have students coming from Read More …

NZ Dojo 2022 September Intake – Part 2

Posted on11/12/202211/12/2022AuthorIte Lemalu1 Comment

As the Pro-Wrestling Coach at Fale Dojo / NZ Dojo, Tony Kozina oversees the day-to-day training of the young lions and offers his thoughts on the latest intake. “Our September three-month intake has come to an end, and usual, it finishes with a full spectrum of emotion,” said Kozina. “Surprised, pleased, proud, and disappointed. I Read More …

NZ Dojo 2022 September Intake – Part 1

Posted on08/12/202207/01/2023AuthorIte Lemalu1 Comment

Fale Dojo / NZ Dojo welcomed its final intake of 2022. Commencing on the first week of September, this class is the one with the most participants to train at the Dojo. Led by Toks Fale, Head Coach, New Japan Pro-Wrestling star, and the principal force behind the New Japan Tamashii brand; Fale is joined Read More …

NZ Strong Style – An Ally, Not A Colony: The Birth of New Japan Tamashii

Posted on17/11/202212/03/2023AuthorIte Lemalu

This past weekend was a historic time in New Zealand sports and its Pacific neighbours. New Japan Tamashii debuted in the resilient city of Christchurch, much to the excitement of the fans that attended the inaugural event at the Pioneer Recreation and Sports Centre. Tamashii featured top stars from New Japan Pro-Wrestling competing alongside Fale Read More …

Fale Dojo Exhibition XI Recap

Posted on05/11/202205/11/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Tony Kozina, Pro-Wrestling Head Coach invited the young lions to the ringside area to kick off Exhibition XI, held at the Fale Dojo facility in Otahuhu, Auckland. “This is our most diverse crew as far as experience is concerned from zero to ten years in a wrestling ring,” Kozina spoke of the June 2022 intake. Read More …

King Haku – Celebrating 30 Years

Posted on08/09/202209/09/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

This article looks back over 30 years to the coronation of King Haku. I can imagine that some people may not see the importance of this event; they may even find it foolish, so I will explain in detail the significance from my perspective; as a New Zealand-born Samoan. I also had the privilege of Read More …

NZ Dojo 2022 June Intake

Posted on16/08/202216/08/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo / NZ Dojo welcomed the second student intake of 2022 with training commencing in the second week of June. Led by Head Coach, Toks Fale aka ‘Rogue General’ Bad Luck Fale of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Fale is joined by his team of Tony Kozina – Pro-Wrestling Head Coach, and Tangi Ropati – Read More …

Fale Dojo Exhibition X Recap

Posted on23/06/202226/06/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo celebrated its tenth Exhibition student showcase. The Exhibition series has been a staple in the development of the Dojo’s young lions since its debut in March 2019. Notable graduates that have honed their skills through this stage of the Dojo’s three-month professional wrestling training course include Aaron Solo, Yuto Nakashima, Juicy Finau, Oskar Read More …

Fale Dojo Exhibition IX Recap

Posted on08/06/202208/06/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo presented a night of NZ strong style professional wrestling with the ninth edition of the Exhibition showcase series. Quality Over Quantity was the unofficial theme of the night as the young lions of the NZ Dojo displayed their rich and distinct talents, competing in three exciting matches. Held on May 28 at the Read More …

Fale Dojo Exhibition Round Robin Recap

Posted on28/05/202208/06/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo held the Exhibition Round Robin event on May 14, at the Dojo facility in Otahuhu, Auckland. Prior to the 6:30 pm bell-time, the fans had the opportunity to enjoy the family-friendly environment: This included purchasing merchandise and meeting Toks Fale (Fale Dojo Head Coach) who had just returned from a successful tour with Read More …