OUR FOUNDER

Founding Father of Nikidokai

Hall of Fame Member

Trainer of World Champions

Hanshi Nico began his training in the martial arts at a very young age, in his native Country of the Philippines. He moved to the United States in the early 1970's. In 1986 he started training in Muay-Thai style kickboxing, with Multiple Martial Arts under his belt that he learned as a child under Master Noel Fernandez and Master Salvador Fernandez. It was at this time that he began to combine American style kickboxing with the Muay-Thai style and the other Martial Arts with this found great success.

From 1980 through 1984 Hanshi fought many bare-knuckle karate tournaments, Boxing and Kickboxing fights. It was during this period in 1983 that Hanshi became the head instructor at a prominent Dojo in Phoenix. Shortly after in 1986 Hanshi founded, Nicks Kicks Dojo in west Phoenix. There he spent many years teaching students of all ages the mixed martial arts (MMA).

After several years of training and receiving his 6th degree black belt" out of respect to the other traditional Martial Arts he created and founded Nikidokai, which combined the five disciplines.

For many years Hanshi trained many students who became amateur kickboxing champions as well as several who went on to become Professional Kickboxing champions. Some of the Professional champions he trained are: Dan "No Play" Brandt, Gene "Red Sting Warrior" Stambaugh (first world champion in Arizona), Ray "Loverboy" Fernandez, Jean Claude Leuyer, Everrett 'Ring Warrior" Berry, Johnny "Thunder" Maglianico, Marla "Poison' " Conrad, Tom "Polish Bulldog" Waceinga, Mikki D'Rain, Chris "Joker" Mack, Todd "Good Night" Guess, and Pat "Lightning" White. Just to name a few.

In 1989 he promoted Arizona's first Muay Thai fight, which was televised in two countries outside the United States. He also formed the United Amateur Kickboxing Federation. In 1989 through 1993, Hanshi became a representative of the World Kickboxing Association (W.K.A.), International Kickboxing Association (I.K.B.A.), as well as the I.S.K.A.

For several years Hanshi taught hundreds of rape prevention classes. He was a co-founder of the Phoenix Center for Rape Prevention, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing sexual assault as well he worked with C.A.S.A, (Center against Sexual Abuse).