Fighting Fit Academy was formed by Mark Stewart in 1992, with a proud history of achievements at all levels and is still growing month by month.

The Academy initially was focused on the Ashihara Karate style and has now evolved to a full and comprehensive range of fitness, self development and life changing programs available to all age groups.

Mark won the World Championship Gold Medal in the Light Heavy weight Full Contact Karate division in Okinawa 1998.

Fighting Fit Academy Mission Statement

• To enhance our community and its citizens through the positive personal development skills of our training.
• To provide a safe haven of positive energy and support for our students mental and physical growth.
• To provide inspiration of personal excellence through our example as black belts both in and out of the academy.
• To ensure the long term growth of the school and its staff by providing legendary student service.

About Mark Stewart

Mark Stewart was born in the Wairarapa in 1965. His first introduction to martial arts was at the age of 8, when he studied boxing for 3 years, having some 16 fights in total. He went on from here to join Sounji ryu karate, which was a traditional style, to which he was involved for some 14 years attaining a 2 nd dan black belt. During this time he also studied American sport karate (Jhoon Rhee system) attaining also a 2 nd dan black belt.

Mark also trained briefly in Tae Kwon Do here in NZ, Attaining an honory black belt, and whilst oversea`s, he continued his training with Tae Kwon Do in America and Scotland, also being recognized as a black belt.

On his return to NZ, Mark was introduced to Ashihara Karate and has remained ever since, chosing this style for it`s practicality and rationality. Mark has been the Branch chief instructor for NZ for some 10 years now, in which time he has received training in Japan and Europe approx 8 times as well as having guest instructors here in NZ such as Shihan Higashidani and Shihan Kinoshita.

In 1998 Mark traveled to Okinawa to compete in the World Goju Ryu karate championships, where he won gold in the light heavy weight full contact division. Prior to this Mark had already competed in some 3 world Championships in Denmark .

Today Mark heads The FIGHTING FIT ACADEMY, which offers Ashihara karate, to all ages from 4-60, as well as kickboxing, cardio kickboxing, pump, kicksport, Tai chi chuan, black belt club, personal training, womens self defense, as well as hosting many seminars.