Troy Sensei first started training in 1974. Over the years Troy Sensei has traveled extensively and has trained with some of Kyokushin's top international instructors.  

Troy Sensei is a Sandan (third degree black belt) and Chief Instructor of Napier, Hastings and Ahuriri Kyokushin Karate. He teaches Karate four nights a week. 

Troy Sensei is the father of two daughters, and runs the Napier & Hastings dojo with the administrative assistance of his wife Maria. 

During the day (Dr) Virgil Troy runs a Research company, he holds a Bachelors Degree in Broadcasting (BBc) a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA Distinction) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Massey University, New Zealand.

Teaching philosophy

We take both a practical and technical approach to our training. Some styles of karate a little more than a fancy dance with little real world practical applications. We often get practitioners from non contact styles coming to our dojo to train in a full contact system. Some stick with it, but most simply cannot adjust to the demands of a full contact style.

There is a varying continuum of contact within Karate/martial arts (in terms of competition fighting) as presented in the figure below:

As presented in the table above styles such as Shotokan exist on the non contact end of the spectrum whereas styles such as Kyokushin, Kick-boxing and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) reside in the full contact end of the scale. Even within the full contact end of the spectrum there are differences as follows:

- Kyokushin: Competition bare knuckle fighting allows for only a mouth and groin guard protective equipment, NO GLOVES ARE WORN; consequently there is no striking to the face by the fist or elbows. Head kicks, knees to the body (less knees, groin, throat and back) are permitted.

- Kick boxing: Competition fighting allows for mouth and groin guard protective equipment and boxing gloves of various weights, there is striking to the face by the fist or elbows (Muay Thai rules). Kicks, knees to the body (less knees, groin, throat and back) are permitted.

- MMA: Competition fighting allows for mouth and groin guard protective equipment and grappling gloves, there is striking to the face by the fist. Kicks, knees to the body (less knees, groin, throat and back) are premitted. Takedowns and ground work are permitted.

Assistant Instructors