MEET OUR STAFF
DARRYL DAWSON
Darryl is the founder and head trainer at TMT. He has over 30 years’ experience in Muaythai and the fitness industry. He started training at Kani's Kickboxing with Mal Kani in 1988. Darryl went on to train and compete in Brazilian freestyle fighting (Luta Livre) before joining the NZ Army (1RNZIR) in 1999. After leaving the Army he worked as a fitness consultant (Dip Fitness, AUT) and Corrections officer. Over the next 2 decades he trained and fought for Sanbukai (Terry Hill), Ultimate Kickboxing (Aaron Dixon), Waikato Thai Kickboxing (Master Tan) and Pepperell Kyokushin Dojo (Kevin Pepperell). During this time he also continued his work in the fitness industry and became a Highschool PE and Social Sciences Teacher (Ba Tch, Ba Spls, Grad Cert Hist).
It was during his time as a Teacher he decided to start his own Muaythai club, named after the school he was at during this time - Tihipuke (Hillcrest Highschool). Within 2 years of the club’s conception Darryl and his partner Claudia, decided to turn the club into a commercial gym, and moved to the current building in Collingwood St, Hamilton.
Darryl's wealth of experience, not only in Martial Arts and the fitness industry, but also in the Army, Corrections Dept and Education, has enabled him to develop a comprehensive and very effective training system. It is this system, and the whanaungatanga (comradery and family like atmosphere) at TMT, that motivates people to get fit, achieve their goals, and creates new champions every year.
CLAUDIA PENARANDA
Claudia is the Co-owner and Administration Manager at TMT. She is also an awesome coach! Claudia teaches the Nuts & Bolts classes and always promotes an energetic, enthusiastic and fun atmosphere in her classes. Before working at TMT Claudia completeted a BMS at the University of Waikato and was a teacher (ESOL) at WINTEC. Claudia is very active in the Muaythai scene, running the gym, teaching students, managing the fighters alongside Darryl. Claudia is also an expert match maker and co-manager of the NZ fight promotion TMT Fightnight.