5th Degree Black Belt (IKO)

Australia Instructor (Gold Coast)

Joe started in Martial Arts in 1988 at the age of 12.

He trained with the W.C.K.A (Welsh Contact Karate Association) under Sensei Clifton Brown (who is now the Chief Instructor) and received his 1st Degree Black Belt in September 1991 at the age of 15. He then went on to train in Tae Kwon Do achieving green tip before emigrating to New Zealand in Nov 1994.

Whilst living in Tauranga he joined a Muay Thai club and participated in a number of Full Contact ring fights.

In early 2003 during a chance meeting with Rick Dobson he was given the opportunity to help in the set up of Phantom Kickboxing New Zealand. Since then he has been involved in the on going set up, teaching and gradings. In September 2003, he received his 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kickboxing from Chief Coach and President of Phantom kickboxing, Rick Dobson 6th Degree, and the New Zealand National Manager of WAKO.

On the 13th October 2003 the doors to his own satellite club of Phantom Kickboxing in Kihikihi were opened to the public.

Joe won numerous National titles in New Zealand in both point sparring and Musical Forms and representred NZ at the WAKO World Championships in Hungary in 2005, unfortunately gainng and injury during fighting.

Joe now resides in the Gold Coast in Australia and iruns Mana Martial Arts which is a full Contact/K1 style gym following the path of Phantom kickboxing. Joe is the President for IKO Australia.