Wayne Vaega

Wayne comes from a corporate background where he was involved with running multimillion dollar tourist retailing operations, and overseeing as many as 6 stores at once with over 150 staff members.

However, Wayne’s first love is martial arts - kick boxing, Muay Thai and boxing.

In 2007 Wayne decided to retire from corporate life and enter the health and fitness industry with the goal of helping people improve their quality of life through one-on-one personal training programs.

Wayne has 27 years experience in the martial arts, including kick boxing, Muay Thai and boxing. He first started fighting in 1980 and is regarded by many as one of the pioneers of kickboxing in New Zealand.

Wayne is associated with Phillip Lam - the father of Thai boxing in New Zealand), Lollo Heimuli - the trainer of world champions: Terry Hill (Goju ryu), Dennis May (Goju ryu), Ian Waite (Ryuku kempo), Wllie Lum (ITF taekwondo), Peter Bishop (TKD), and Geoff 'Tank' Todd (unarmed combat), to name a few.

Wayne’s last professional fight was in the New Zealand vs. Thailand & France Thai boxing extravaganza in 1990, where he finished his career knocking out Khuponoi - then Thailand champion - in the 3rd round.

In boxing Wayne trained under the late Jerry Preston at the Manukau Boxing Gymnasium in Auckland.

He  has trained with Jimmy 'Thunder' Peau (then NZ amateur champion) and Tom Fusitua (then NZ amateur champion). Wayne has also competed in the Auckland Boxing Championships and the Waikato Boxing Championships.

Wayne used his boxing skills to help with his professional kickboxing career.

Wayne's achievements include:

- 9 times New Zealand Full Contact Heavyweight Champion.

- 1980: placed 3rd in the heavyweight division at the world Kung Fu Tournament Hawaii.

- 1982: placed 2nd in the light heavyweight division at the World Full Contact Tournament in Hong Kong.

- 1984 to 1987: International Taekwondo Federation New Zealand Men’s Open Black Belt Champion.

- 1985 to 1990: Japanese Kickboxing Association New Zealand Cruiserweight Kickboxing Champion.

- Former World Kickboxing Council Auckland State Cruiserweight Champion.

- Former NZTBA New Zealand Cruiserweight Champion.

- 1988: fought Thailand Champion Fanta Attapong (then World Champion).

- 1990: fought Thailand Champion Khuponoi (then World Champion).

Qualifications:

- REPs registered (Register of Exercise Professionals).

- First aid certified.

- Lee Gar Thai Boxing Senior instructor.

- Highest level of Siu Lum Lee Gar Kung Fu under Grand Master Phillip Lam in NZ.

Contact Wayne by:

Mobile: 021-0236-8516

E-mail: wayne@fitzboxing.co.nz