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...

Lion’s Roar – Episode 3 recap

Posted on16/02/202219/02/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

The Hill One Tree Hill is one of many landmarks where the NZ Dojo trainees hold their outdoor workouts. Located in central Auckland, this volcanic peak span 182 metres (597 feet) and 20 square kilometres (7.7 square metres). For this workout, the trainees had to run together in a line around the entire area ten Read More …

Lion’s Roar – Episode 2 recap

Posted on15/02/202215/02/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Family Ties The trainees are shown at the NZ Dojo house (located in Mangere, South Auckland) doing various chores around the property. The Dojo house was previously the family home of Toks Fale where he grew up; subsequently converted into a dormitory for the trainees. Fale shared that as one of eleven siblings, the family Read More …

Lion’s Roar – Episode 1 recap

Posted on14/02/202225/03/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Lion’s Roar premiered with Toks Fale introducing himself and giving a brief history of his journey as the first non-Japanese wrestler to train at and successfully graduate through the world-renowned NJPW system in Tokyo. By immersing himself in the training and the Japanese culture, Fale earned the respect of NJPW and was able to open Read More …

NZ Dojo Lion’s Roar Docuseries Now Streaming On NJPW World

Posted on15/01/202225/03/2022AuthorIte Lemalu8 Comments

Lion’s Roar, a New Japan Pro-Wrestling docuseries based on New Japan’s New Zealand Dojo is now available on the NJPW World streaming service. Lion’s Roar is a weekly docuseries that follows young hopefuls of the NZ Dojo professional wrestling training course as they compete for a prestigious contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Toks Fale, Head Read More …

Oskar’s Odyssey

Posted on14/12/202122/06/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Oskar Münchow first arrived at Fale Dojo / NJPW NZ Dojo in 2019. Münchow travelled to New Zealand from Hamburg, Germany to chase his dream to become a professional wrestler. At 20 years of age and standing at 6 feet 5 inches, young Münchow immersed himself in the Dojo’s intense training regime for a full Read More …

Derrick Shaw – A Journey to Reset and Refocus

Posted on02/12/202131/01/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

In February 2020, Derrick Shaw came to Fale Dojo / NJPW NZ Dojo from Portland, Oregon, USA with a particular set of goals in mind. One of which was to advance his outlook as a professional wrestler. To get to that next level, Shaw embarked on an arduous journey to reset and refocus. Shaw trained Read More …

NJPW NZ Dojo 2021 October Intake

Posted on15/11/202115/11/2021AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo welcomed the final intake for 2021. Beginning on the first week of October, the three-month professional wrestling training course is led by Toks Fale, aka ‘Rogue General’ Bad Luck Fale of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. As Head Trainer, Fale is joined by his coaching staff comprised of Mark Tui Read More …

Chris Cruz – Building Iron Will With Fortitude

Posted on03/11/202104/11/2021AuthorIte Lemalu

As an international destination for professional wrestling training, Fale Dojo / NJPW NZ Dojo has attracted students from all over the globe. Such places include Germany, South Africa, India, Israel, Japan, as well as parts of New Zealand, Australia, England, and the United States. In February 2020, Chris Cruz (who is based in the U.S., Read More …

Don’t Give Them A Reason – What Drives ‘Big Toko’ Juicy Finau

Posted on04/10/202110/10/2021AuthorIte Lemalu

Since 2016, the Fale Dojo professional wrestling training facility has been an international destination for aspiring wrestlers from all walks of life. Such is the case for Juicy Finau: Nicknamed ‘Big Toko,’ the American born Tongan followed the Dojo closely on social media; observing the career of Toks Fale, aka ‘Rogue General’ Bad Luck Fale Read More …

Fale Dojo Exhibition Lion’s Roar Recap

Posted on21/09/202125/03/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo Exhibition Lion’s Roar took place on the 14th of August at the Fale Dojo training facility in Auckland, New Zealand. This showcase highlighted the young lions of the NJPW NZ Dojo July 2021 intake. The Exhibition series has been a staple in the Dojo’s three-month professional wrestling curriculum since 2019. Past students who Read More …