Instructors

Shihan Dai Mark Stewart

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

Mark also trained briefly in Tae Kwon Do here in NZ attaining an honory black belt. When traveling overseas he continued his training with Tae Kwon Do in America and Scotland, being recognized as a black belt.

On his return to NZ, Mark was introduced to Ashihara Karate and has remained ever since, choosing 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 several times as well as hosting international instructors 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, as well as kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Fitness classes, Tai chi chuan, personal training, self defense classes as well as hosting many seminars.

Senior Instructors

Sempai Ross

2nd dan black belt.

More information to come…

Sempei Graham Aiken

1st dan black belt.

More information to come…

Sempai Chris Taylor

1st dan black belt.

Chris trained in Kyokushin Karate at the Mt Victoria Dojo, Wellington and achieved his black belt in 2003. He then moved to Auckland and after a short break started training in Ashihara Karate at the Fighting Fit Academy, attaining his black belt in 2010.