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 interview with Trainer, Vik Pawaar

Posted on04/03/202006/11/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

Vik Pawaar was one of the first to train at Fale Dojo when its Auckland premises opened 2016. As a graduate of the inaugural three-month professional wrestling course, Pawaar learned the Japanese strong style directly from Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale. This discipline complemented Pawaar’s background in powerlifting and MMA, as well as his most recent Read More …

Fale Dojo interview with Trainer, Gina Gee

Posted on27/02/202021/01/2021AuthorIte Lemalu

Gina Gee is the first female trainer to join the Fale Dojo coaching staff. Gina brings her remarkable background and experience in combat fighting, adding significant skills and knowledge to the young lions’ three-month professional wrestling course. Gina also teaches her popular box fit and kickboxing classes to the general public. Born to a European Read More …

Fale Dojo interview with Head Trainer, Tangi Ropati

Posted on19/02/202008/09/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo is excited to welcome Tangi Ropati on board as part of the coaching staff. Ropati brings a wealth of sporting achievements in rugby league, fitness, and bodybuilding. He is utilising his knowledge to teach the young lions about the importance of nutrition and also how to sculpture their bodies during the three-month professional Read More …

NEW BEGINNINGS AS FALE DOJO WELCOMES NEW ERA BECOMING NJPW NEW ZEALAND DOJO, NJPW NZ TRYOUTS IN MAY, NEW TRAINERS, NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH COCA-COLA!

Posted on11/02/202020/01/2021AuthorIte Lemalu

FALE DOJO BECOMES NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING NEW ZEALAND DOJO: Fale Dojo (Auckland, NZ) is now an official part of the New Japan Pro Wrestling training system. Going forward internationally, the Dojo will now be known as NJPW New Zealand Dojo, however, locally, we will maintain our Fale Dojo brand. “The Dojo will be called Read More …

Walter Yeates’ Exclusive Interview With Ite Lemalu Of The Fale Dojo

Posted on08/01/202028/04/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

Recently, I was interviewed by journalist Walter Yeates in an exclusive where I spoke about my role with Fale Dojo, the Dojo’s mission locally and globally, and partnership with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Here is the transcript to the article. ============================================= The following is an exclusive interview with Ite Lemalu, Media Relations Manager of the Read More …

Fale Dojo Young Lions Oskar Münchow and Jake Taylor join NJPW Dojo

Posted on17/12/201928/04/2020AuthorIte Lemalu1 Comment

It is with great pleasure we announce that Oskar Münchow and Jake Taylor, graduates from the Fale Dojo three month professional wrestling course, have been accepted to the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo in Tokyo where they will receive further training. They will leave for Tokyo on the 2nd of January 2020. Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Read More …

Fale Dojo Exhibition #5 – Silver Lion Showdown Recap

Posted on11/12/201901/01/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo Exhibition #5 – Silver Lion Showdown, which took place on the 7th of December, began with a welcome from Fale Dojo General Manager/Coach Mark Tui. Tui passed on apologies from Dojo founder and Head Trainer Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale who was competing overseas with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Tui then introduced Head Trainer, Read More …

Fale Dojo Exhibition #5: Silver Lion Showdown, December 7th 2019

Posted on25/11/201928/04/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo is proud to present Fale Dojo Exhibition #5: Silver Lion Showdown. The event will take place on December 7th at Fale Dojo, 66 Portage Road, Otahuhu, Auckland. The ‘Exhibition’ series was established in March of this year, as a way to give the students the experience to compete in wrestling matches while developing Read More …

Fale Dojo Exhibition #4 Recap

Posted on20/11/201927/06/2022AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo Exhibition #4 took place on the 16th of November 2019. The event was complemented with the Dojo’s first Night Market that offered an assortment of food, as well as merchandise provided by Silver Lion Sports. The event began with Fale Dojo General Manager/Coach Mark Tui welcoming the audience and giving a brief background Read More …

Fale Dojo Exhibition #4 – Live Pro Wrestling, November 16

Posted on07/11/201928/04/2020AuthorIte Lemalu

Fale Dojo, the home of New Zealand strong style is pleased to present the upcoming Fale Dojo Exhibition #4 event on November 16, at Fale Dojo, 66 Portage Road, Otahuhu, Auckland. Fale Dojo Exhibition #4 will showcase the brightest prospects in professional wrestling as they compete in strong style matches. Founded in 2016 by Head Read More …