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 Presents Exhibition Round Robin, May 14 2022

Posted on10/05/202211/05/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo will be holding the Exhibition Round Robin wrestling event on May 14, 2022, at the Fale Dojo facility in Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. Round Robin will be the eighth in the Exhibition series to feature the current class of young lions, as they battle for pre-eminence over the pride. The lions will also Read More …

Oskar – The Odyssey Continues

Posted on06/04/202206/04/2022AuthorIte Lemalu1 Comment

Since arriving on the wrestling scene in November 2021, Fale Dojo / NZ Dojo graduate, Oskar Münchow has been working his way up the ranks of Germany’s Westside Xtreme Wrestling. Münchow joined wXw as an unknown newcomer, starting in the organisation’s developmental system, known as the Academy. It was at this place where Münchow honed Read More …

Lion’s Roar – Discipline, Heart, and Destination

Posted on25/03/202201/04/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Lion’s Roar, the New Japan Pro-Wrestling 12 part docuseries, shared an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at NJPW’s NZ Dojo. Led by Head Coach, Toks Fale, and his team of Tony Kozina, Mark Tui, and Tangi Ropati; Lion’s Roar followed the pride of 14 trainees as they were guided through a world-renowned three-month professional wrestling training course. Read More …

Lion’s Roar – Episode 10 recap

Posted on25/03/202225/03/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

The day at the NZ Dojo house began with Dan Puru enjoying a morning boogie while his new roommate Mitch Schoemaker clapped along. However, the household was not aware of the bad luck that was headed their way. Wake-Up CallCoaches Toks Fale and Tony Kozina arrived at the Dojo house bringing with them an empty Read More …

Lion’s Roar – Episode 9 recap

Posted on23/03/202225/03/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Week 9 – The Lock DownA mandatory isolation bubble for everyone in New Zealand was put in place. Members of the NZ Dojo young lions programme could choose to live in only one bubble. Richard Mulu revealed that half of the trainees were living at the NZ Dojo house in Mangere East, while the other Read More …

Lion’s Roar – Episode 8 recap

Posted on22/03/202225/03/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Footage from last week’s Exhibition event showed family and friends of Daniel Puru at ringside, watching him compete. Puru shared that his friends were oblivious of his ability to grapple, He jokingly responded that it was because they had never seen him in a fight before. The Soul TakerTangi Ropati, the Strength & Conditioning Coach Read More …

Lion’s Roar – Episode 7 recap

Posted on21/03/202225/03/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

The Exhibition – The Night BeforeThe trainees were at the NZ Dojo setting up the facility in preparation for the Exhibition show. Andrew Villalobos, the Senior Lion explained there were some major improvements amongst the trainees over the last couple of days after they overcame some setbacks. One of which was the letting go of Read More …

Lion’s Roar – Episode 6 recap

Posted on21/02/202225/03/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

The ChefWhile training at the NZ Dojo, Warren Walters discovered the similarities between the Dojo’s training system and his background as a chef of 17 years. The hierarchy and the bonds that are formed are essential to the system in both disciplines. Many years ago, Walters injured his shoulder in a car accident. Unfortunately for Read More …

Lion’s Roar – Episode 5 recap

Posted on19/02/202206/04/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Cigar and Whiskey After a month of intense training, Toks Fale is having a wind down at his waterfront apartment in Auckland city. Week 5 At the NZ Dojo facility, the trainees are in the middle of a very rigorous workout. Some members of the class appear hurt; however, the pain has not stopped them Read More …

Lion’s Roar – Episode 4 recap

Posted on18/02/202206/04/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

The South From Dunedin in NZ’s South Island comes AJ Visagie. The culture and landscape between South Auckland and Dunedin are vastly different due to Dunedin’s cold climate and landscape. The culture also has a strong Britishness about the city. Visagie a native of Dunedin, came to the NZ Dojo, to gain some life experience Read More …