Ava Strong (59) Is A Former Stunt Double Named As A Member Of The New Zealand Order Of Merit For Services To Karate And The Community.
“I’ve been involved with martial arts for about 37 years now. I probably wouldn’t have done it if it hadn’t been for my husband Lance. He wanted to get into it, so I tagged along. There were no classes in the Coromandel in those days, so we travelled to Auckland to train.
We brought what we learned back to Thames and developed our own system, Kiaido Ryu. It’s a full circle-type programme which combines a variety of self-defence skills with a holistic, family-focused healing syllabus. We started off in 1990 with one senior class and we’ve now got 13 schools across New Zealand.
Early on, we spent three months in Canada studying Arnis Mati stick fighting, and then we lived in the States for four years, where we learned jiu-jitsu and pressure point techniques. The main highlight there was training with four 10th Degree Black Belt Grandmasters, including Leo Fong, a first-generation student of Bruce Lee’s.
Lance and I would train with him, then go to Starbucks for a coffee and chat for hours. We heard the most amazing stories of life. It was awe-inspiring.
Esta historia es de la edición February 25, 2019 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 25, 2019 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The perfect GETAWAY
From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes
Message in a BOTTLE
Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills
Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE
Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
From stressed to refreshed! Lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis shares the simple steps you should adopt to give your wellbeing a boost
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
After a tough start to motherhood, the foodie tells how she reclaimed her life
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
After a decade in the country, she’s given up the good life to return home
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills