​AUTUMN TIMETABLE - GO HERE!!
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KIDS CLASSES - please email to enrol your child: tukahawaiheke@gmail.com
TUKAHA
"My opponent is my teacher, my ego is my enemy." - Renzo Gracie
Nico Otero
Born in Esquel, Patagonia, Argentina Nico Otero moved to New Zealand in 2005 and in 2006 decided to call Waiheke his home.
Head coach of Tukaha Waiheke Jiujitsu Academy, Black Belt Nico has been training consistently since 2011.
Nico has taken 2 national titles( at blue and brown belts), is a silver medalist in the Oceania championships, and a gold medalist at the Abu Dhabi Pro Championship trials amongst other golds at regional championships.
He has seen jiujitsu change so many people’s lives and his mission is to spread the art as far and wide as he possibly can.
Tibor (Tiby) Matus
Former Skittles player, turned Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, after he moved to New Zealand in 2007. Brown Belt Tibor Matus was born and bred in Hungary, but became fully accomplished professionally on Waiheke Island. He has been training with Tukaha Waiheke since 2011 , and has immersed himself and others into the No Gi form of grappling. Tibor strongly believes that combining a regular practise and learning the philosophy behind 'the gentle art' can help people to become better human beings.
David Teehan
Father of four - scuba diver - sailor- landscaper. Born in Aotearoa, Brown Belt David has lived 24 years on Waiheke Island having returned from living overseas for 12 years, 5 of those travelling extensively throughout Africa. Originally a boxer - 2x Auckland Jnr Middleweight champ- New Zealand Jnr middleweight champ, and part of the New Zealand junior boxing team - David stumbled upon Jiu Jitsu when teaching a boxing lesson to a friend. From the first introduction to the gentle art of jiu jitsu, he co-founded TuKaha Waiheke and has competed in three Pan Pacific Jiu Jitsu championships held in Melbourne, New Zealand Nationals, and Wellington Open. Jiu Jitsu for me has enabled David to maintain a level of flexibility and fitness, whilst having fun. His fundamentals class focuses on cardio, flexibility, perfecting techniques through correct drilling, and street self defence.
Mateo Servidio
My name is Mateo Servidio, purple belt, originally from a rural town in southern Cordoba, Argentina. In 2018, soon after completing my Engineering degree, I decided to extend my horizons and seek out new adventures, so I packed a few essentials, my mate kit of course, and caught a plane to New Zealand.
The moment I stepped off the ferry I knew Waiheke Island was the place I wanted to call home for the coming years. I was really lucky to be workmates with Nico and David who introduced me to something I’d never heard about before, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
The gentle art changed my life for good in many ways: not just as a healthy sport to practice, but to exercise the brain in a real-time problem-solving puzzle that involves and connects mind and body. It also showed me a different perspective on life, narrowing it to what really matters. I have no doubts that BJJ is a life-changing challenge whether you compete or not, that can help any troubled person, empower the weak, and
enhance the potential of those who commit to it.