International Kickboxer Magazine, March/April 2016
Kurt Staiti has the advantage of coming from a close-knit family of Muay Thai addicts. His uncle is Mark Staiti, who was introduced to Peter Kent, head trainer of Matrix Muay Thai, by Chris Staiti, Kurt’s father. Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, May/June 2015
Hi Gabriel, how old are you?
I’m twenty-nine.
What weight do you fight at?
One hundred and forty-three pounds, or sixty-five kilograms. Continue reading
Blitz Magazine, Vol.29, No.3 March 2015
The mark of a great instructor is one who can present complex ideas simply. In doing so, the breadth of Wayne Bridge’s experience prompts him to quote Bruce Lee. Continue reading
Shihan Andrew Roubas (left) with Soshihan Gonnohyoe Yamamoto
Blitz Magazine, Volume 29, No. 4, April 2015
Like all practitioners whose life has been dedicated to their art, Shihan Andrew Roubas, eighth Dan in Goju Ryu Karate, becomes philosophical when making sense of it. Continue reading
Blitz Magazine, December 2014
For Gary Palmer, martial arts have been part of his life for as long as he can remember.
“I started with boxing,” says Gary, “I grew up with it. I come from a boxing family. My grandfather was Dave Palmer, who was both heavy and light-heavyweight champion of Australia. He held several titles – that was back in the days when they weren’t so strict about weight; they let you fight up a division. Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, Nov/Dec 2014
Peter Aerts, like all ‘great’ athletes, is most often defined in terms of the length of his career and the titles he’s won. True definition, however, is a matter of establishing something in comparison with its contemporaries which, for a fighter, is in terms of their opponents. Continue reading
Blitz Martial Arts Magazine, Vol.28, No.11, November 2014
“The problem in India is not that there are rapists,” says Cheryl Lynch-Gardner, co-founder of Budo-Ryu Kempo. “[Here in Australia there are] Rape Crisis Centers, counseling; there is a system. There’s no damn system over there.”
Cheryl’s involvement in the martial arts has led to her from Sydney’s western suburbs, halfway around the world to teach self-defense to Indian women. It seems like a practical fix for a universal problem, but in the macro, Cheryl’s work is part of a widespread effort to turn the tides of history and culture, one person at a time. Continue reading
“What a night. What can I say? Badr Hari is an animal. I was just too banged up to keep going. To my loving wife Silvia, my now-two little girls; you keep me strong.
“To my friends who have always been there for me, thank-you as you are all awesome. To my students at IMC Prospect: train hard and always do your best.
“Last, but not least, my fans; from the Kyokushin and Kempo karate people and the BJJ, MMA, Boxing And kickboxing fans who follow me and even the ones who do not or cannot, thank-you from the bottom of my heart.
“You are all part of who I am.”
Post-fight dedication from Peter Graham, taken from facebook, 30/05/14
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I logged a post about Ben Edwards previously to this one. I was assigned to interview him for the most recent International Kickboxer Magazine and, towards the end of our conversation, he came out with something profound. Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, Jan/Feb 2014
On October 7 of this year, Stan ‘The Man’ Longinidis was inducted into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame. While this is no small feat for any athlete, it’s especially rare for a kickboxer. As with his other achievements, Stan is the first. Continue reading
Blitz Magazine, December 2012
The day I talked to Peter, he was managing multiple tasks and unsure I’d be able to get any sense out of him.
“I’ve just come from ten rounds of sparring!” Continue reading
Theme Park at its Darkest 