Renshi (Kyoshi) Pete Thompson Sensei
Kyoshi Pete’s martial training began as a child learning unarmed and armed combat with his father, a Vietnam veteran and former member of a NZDF anti-terrorist unit.
Today, Kyoshi Pete holds blackbelts in various styles:
- 6th dan Seishin Budo Kyokai (Kyoshi)
- 5th dan Seishin-Kan Shorinji Ryu Okinawa Renmei
- 4th dan Seishin-Ryu Karate
- 3rd dan WAKO Kickboxing
- 2nd dan WTF Taekwondo
- 1st degree WKA Kickboxing
He has a long competition history including titles in Taekwondo, Karate and Kickboxing; former National champion in Kickboxing and an International title holder in Karate. In 2010 he was conferred by the NZMAI an award for excellence in martial arts.
His experiences working as a doorman in Auckland for eight years, running security for dignitaries and training actors and members of CIB has given him the opportunity to test what works and what doesn’t.
Kyoshi began instructing martial arts in 1996 and not long after this started TOA Fighting Systems with his friend and training partner Sifu Tony Billy. After starting TOA in 1997 Kyoshi moved to Invercargill in 2007. The most southern WAKO and Seishin dojo in the world has been operating since June 2008.
Kyoshi Pete holds a degree in Strategic Management (Business Transformation) and Sport Management and is active in both his local Community, Nationally and Internationally:
- Southland Area Director for the New Zealand Martial Arts Institute
- President TOA Fighting Systems
- Chairman Southland Community Broadcasters Charitable Trust
- Director Stadium Southland
- Former Board member International Executive WAKO Kickboxing (5+ years)
- Former New Zealand and Oceania President for the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (10+ years)
- Former Chairman Swim Safe Southland Advisory Group
- Former Member of the Southern Institute of Technology Sports and Recreation Advisory Group