Brian A. Twomey (1996)

Dai Sempai Twomey began his Martial Arts training of Nam Wai Pai in 1979 at the age of 14 under the late Steve Kitson, believing that everyone who knew Steve knew him as an awesome martial artist.

Sadly, he wanted to be just like his instructor, and obviously, not achieving this in just a few short months he went in search for an instructor that would make him an instant Martial Artist. He spent the next 2 years trying out different styles, not finding one that was suited to him.

In 1981 he was involved in a motorcycle accident which severely injured his left leg. One year of hospital surgery and rehabilitation badly cut into his training time but he was soon back in training and doing better than his doctors originally thought.

For the next six years Dai Sempai Twomey dabbled in Shotokan Karate, Wushu, Thai Chi, Judo and Kickboxing.

Sadly, in 1988 he was involved in a car accident this time, and his right leg was injured. However, this time he spent his rehabilitation reading and studying anatomy and physiology.

He had heard a bit about Zen Do Kai, and as he had to start training from the beginning he joined up and went on to receive his blue, green and brown belt.

Between 1990 and 1991, after years of training, and despite a lot of setbacks with his personal health, Dai Sempai graded and received his black belt and

then became a Sempai. In 1992, he opened his first dojo in Mount Maunganui. At that point he was running Zen Do Kai under the Tony Ranate and Waiponga Napier lineage, and was now in Lance Strong’s family.

Lance decided to break away from Zen Do Kai and formed his own system. It was at this time that he met Dai Renshi Rob Tier – Chief Instructor for Pathfinder and Kakusa Dojos, based in Rotorua. He wanted to stay with Zen Do Kai and Dai Renshi Rob invited him into his family with open arms and the union has never looked back.

In 1993, Dai Sempai Twomey opened the Hombu at 124 Devonport Road, Tauranga and under the guidance of Dai Renshi Rob and Shihan Dave Scobie his Zen Do Kai and Muay Thai classes run 6 days a week, and in 1994 he did his 2nd dan grading and became a probationary Nidan Ho. Finally, in 1995 they all launched their first Bob Jones Corporation Muay Thai grading ever held in Tauranga, New Zealand. This year, 1996, Dai Sempai Twomey wants to concentrate mainly on preparing some of his fighters for New Zealand Muay Thai Titles.

PERSONAL GOALS

“To continue running BJC and further my Thai Chi, Yoga and Iron Hand training and return to competitive shooting.”