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MARTIAL ARTS FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS!
Spartan Striking Academy proudly serving Richmond Hill & Markham
Spartan Striking Academy has Classes in Richmond Hill, Perfect for Kids, Teens, and Adults Martial Arts Lessons.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.
We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..
Get To Know Our World Class Instructors
KRU Michael Fitzpatrick
Michael Fitzpatrick is the MTBSA World Champion and ranked #1 in Canada at 160lbs by the WBC(World Boxing Council). He is also a 3-time Canadian National, Provincial, and “Cold Warz” champion. At just 15 years old, Michael traveled to Thailand to train under the legendary Tiger Muay Thai camp, turning professional at 18. He has traveled throughout Asia, learning from and competing against some of the best fighters in the world, and holds a professional record of 44W/5L/0D. In 2019, he was officially recognized by Thailand’s government and the World Muay Thai & Muay Boran Sports Association as receiving the prestigious title of “Kru Yai”.
As one of Canada’s highest elite fighters, Michael has trained under some of Muay Thai’s best fighters and coaches such as Thailand’s Thongchai Sitsongpeenong, Petch-tho Sitjaopho, and Kaisuwit Ple. He currently trains under Kierian Keddle of the UK(coach of 22 world champions) and Joe Hongthong Noi of Hongthong Muay Thai Camp in Chiangmai, Thailand. He’s passionate about sharing his experience and knowledge with his students and loves helping people see that they can surpass their abilities with hard work, and dedication.
With many years in Muay Thai under his belt, Coach Michael has developed a program that incorporates many styles perfectly like a true Muay Fimeu master. The success of Spartan Striking Academy in local, national, and international competitions is a testimony to the effectiveness of this approach. The traditional fighting style of Thailand, Muay Thai is an effective martial art for both competition, self-defense, and general fitness. The emphasis on Muay Thai striking is the effectiveness and strategy of the movement. Michael teaches how important it is to have a superior technique with no wasted movements. Each strike is designed to maximize power while minimizing effort.
Michael teaches a wide range of Techniques such as Muay Khao which focuses on a fighter using mainly knees. Muay Sok which is geared more towards effective elbow strikes and Muay Fimeu which is a combination of nearly five major disciplines which is only provided by a true Muay Thai master. Regardless if you’re new to Spartan Striking Academy or a long time member, Michael will teach you everything he knows to get you up to speed at our Markham, Ontario Location. When you watch Michael teach his classes you will notice something quite amazing, you’ll see how calm and relaxed he is while executing the perfect technique with intense power. This comes from thousands of hours of drilling the basic techniques that make up the core of Muay Thai.
NOTABLE FIGHTS
- May 29, 2017 – WKF Provincials Title
- November 12, 2017 – Muay Thai Canada National Title
- December 9, 2017 – Cold Warz Title vs. Thomas Raby
- July 4, 2018 – Chiangmai Stadium Title vs. Chanphachat Sor. Suanucha
- March 3, 2018 – Lumpinee Stadium Title vs. Kompikhat sor. Tawenrung
- January, 26 2019 – Northern Thailand Title vs. Saengutai Rangsit University Muay Thai
- November 30, 2019 – WBC Canadian World Title vs. Chris McMillan
- December 19, 2020 – MTBSA World Title vs. Santafarr Hua Hin Muaythai gym
Instructors Name
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Coach Ferb
“If it’s not applicable,
don’t use it”
About Me:
Coach Ferb has been training martial arts for just under a decade and has been with Spartan for 3 years. Ferb has fought competitively and is a vital part in training up Spartan students who are interested in competing. He has supported countless students in making the transition from the mats to the ring, has cornered more than his fair share of successful fighters, and is the proud coach of a WBC title holder.
In his childhood, Ferb was experiencing issues with bullying, and sought out Muay Thai to learn how to protect himself. Today, Muay Thai is his passion and a source of self-confidence.
Teaching Philosophy:
Coach Ferb takes a methodical, regimented, and practical approach to teaching Muay Thai. Ferb takes every element of Muay Thai, breaks them down into individual concepts, and teaches his students to become proficient in everyone. When his students have a grasp on each of these concepts in their own rite, Ferb will teach them to bring all the pieces together to understand the application in the ring or on the mats.
Class Concepts:
Offense, defense, guard, evasion, catches and parries, footwork, inside fighting, outside fighting, tricking, countering.
Class Atmosphere:
Ferb prioritizes conditioning, technique, and quality of training. In Ferb’s class, you can expect a hard workout, repetition, and special attention to developing quality technique. For new students, Ferb is happy to give extra time to students that want to nail down their technique, and avoid developing bad habits.
Personality and Approach:
Ferb brings a cool, collected, purposeful, and driven disposition to his classes. As someone who experienced bullying at a young age, Ferb takes an anti-bullying approach to his teaching, and is especially invested in helping his students develop their confidence. Ferb sets forth a serious tone in his class, but you will find his humor and laughs when the moment calls for it.
In your first class with Ferb, bring water, expect to sweat, expect some laughs, and expect to be pushed to give everything you have. If you’re someone that is looking to develop your confidence, or take your Muay Thai to the next level, Ferb is someone that is adept in helping his students unlock their potential and push themselves to new limits.
Coach Heemy Lo
“Balance is everything”
About Me:
Heemy has been training martial arts for over 5 years and has been with Spartan for over 2. Like many of the coaches at Spartan, Heemy is highly active in competition and brings deep commitment to his training, teaching, and the ring.
For Heemy, Muay Thai is a very aggressive martial art, so power, balance, and technique are paramount to showing dominance in the ring. Despite his assertive style in the ring and yearn for dominating his opponents, his approachability and thoughtfulness are second to none.
Teaching Philosophy:
Heemy lays a foundation with the basics and has his students rep it out with multiple variations, while paying attention to speed and distance. Every technique has many moving parts that all need to come together to perform a fast and hard strike, and repetition is the way to get there. He blends traditional, rigid Muay Thai rules with modern approaches to tailor techniques to individuals and leverage their strengths.
Class Concepts:
Technique, combinations, movement, balance.
Class Atmosphere:
Bring a water bottle and bring the effort because Heemy likes to push his students with high volume and run fast-paced drills. Like all of the Spartan coaches, Heemy ensures a zero-shame environment. While he encourages his students to give their best, he ensures their efforts align with their self-set goals. At Spartan, nobody will be made to feel lesser for having different objectives.
Personality and Approach:
Heemy brings a fun and enthusiastic attitude to his classes, and his high energy fighting style certainly shows up in the way he teaches. Beginners will start with the foundations, learning single strikes, punches, and kicks, and will then build them up to throw combinations. For advanced students, Heemy focuses on drilling high-level combinations and will introduce unexpected curveballs, helping his students learn to flow. In other words, Heemy adapts his teachings to the composition of skills for each class.
Heemy is a passionate fighter and is there to support anyone that wants to step into the competitive arena. For anyone that knows Heemy, it’s clear that his victories in the ring are only getting started, and he is happy to lend his advice to anyone that would like to join him. With his versatile and adaptable approach, Heemy is an excellent coach for beginners and those preparing to step into the ring.
Coach Patricia Fitzpatrick
“Knowing that I have it [Muay Thai] when I need it, gave me my voice”
About Me:
Patricia has been training martial arts for over 8 years and is part of the family that runs Spartan Striking Academy. Grappling with social anxiety early on, Muay Thai helped Patricia come out of her shell and find her voice. Since then, Patricia has earned an impressive 10-1 fight record, has developed an interest in teaching children and students with unique learning needs, and helps people come out of their comfort zone.
Patricia is currently working on her undergrad in social work, and incorporates elements from her learning into her coaching style.
Teaching Philosophy:
Patricia prioritizes simplicity and physicality into her teaching. Having trained in Thailand, where she learned how to train Muay Thai without speaking the same language as her coaches, Patricia is adept in teaching by showing. Pairing this with her approach in explaining concepts in the most easily understood way, she is a great coach for beginners, children, and anyone that is looking for a teacher that will go above and beyond to find a way to accommodate their learning style.
Class Concepts:
Technical, offence, defence, practical application with a partner, clinch.
Class Atmosphere:
Patricia creates a well-paced and welcoming environment for her classes. You can expect a challenging workout, to learn, have fun, and have a new technique to try out on a partner. For new students, expect that Patricia will go out of her way to make sure you are comfortable and have everything you need to fit in with your new Spartan family.
Personality and Approach:
Patricia brings a modest and humble approach to her Muay Thai, and coaching, but don’t let her calm demeanor fool you. Patricia is a ferocious fighter, and is determined to help her students step outside their comfort zone, develop a loud voice, and become the best version of themselves.
Coach Jenelle
“There’s a lot of honor with being called a Spartan.”
About Me:
Jenelle has been training martial arts for 12 years, and has been with Spartan for 6 months. Jenelle got her start in Jiu-Jitsu, but found a passion in Muay Thai. After beginning her Muay Thai training, Jenelle stepped into the ring within 6 months and hasn’t missed a day of training ever since. She not only found world-class training with Spartan, but also a deep sense of community, and a second family. Spartan pushed Jenelle to achieve excellence, and the love and admiration she has for the community is unmatched.
Jenelle is the last Garcia in her family, and proudly represents the name when she steps into the ring. When she enters the competitive arena, she does so with the objective of bringing back greatness and pride to her family. Given the family she’s found at Spartan, Jenelle doesn’t just fight as the last Garcia, but also as a proud Spartan.
Teaching Philosophy:
Many people think striking has to be aggressive and harsh. Jenelle prefers a more fluid, technical, and intellectual approach. Good Muay Thai starts from your feet. Precise striking and a strong guard both start with having your feet in the right place. As well, Jenelle teaches her students to develop the mental discipline to work in Muay Thai. Having initially struggled with facing hits, she ensures her students acquire the tools to manage their emotions and cultivate techniques for maintaining composure, regardless of the exercise’s difficulty or the opponent they face
Class Concepts:
footwork, pushing limits, mental conditioning, strategic fighting
Class Atmosphere:
Jenelle makes it a priority to ensure all of her students feel welcomed and is available to coach anyone through the anxieties of training martial arts. She creates a supportive environment, lives for the “aha” moment in her students, and is always the first to celebrate her students victories.
Jenelle makes her students do the impossible, so it feels possible moving forward. She sets out a tough warm up with the objective of exhausting her class by the end of the warm up. The method to her madness is offering a feeling of satisfaction by getting her students to make it to the end of a rigorous warm up, that they didn’t think they could complete. This way, after a short breather, when it’s time to jump into technique, the impossible now feels possible.
Personality and Approach:
Despite being a self-proclaimed “socially awkward” person, Jenelle will make you feel right at home with Spartan. Her enthusiasm and love for the Spartan community is infectious, and she could probably sell you a membership without even offering the martial arts with it. Jenelle bears a strong sense of pride in her name and the Spartan community, while still embodying humility and approachability.
Her passion and inspiration show up in her training and coaching, and she is a critical element in what makes Spartan a family gym. Jenelle is a superb coach for anybody that might feel anxious about starting martial arts, or anyone looking for the inspiration to compete. Her devotion and advocacy for the Spartan family are second to none.
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Spencer
Muay Thai Instructor
Coach Anthony
“This [Muay Thai] isn’t fighting… it’s too beautiful to be fighting”
About Me:
Anthony has been training for over 20 years and recently started teaching with Spartan. Anthony initially became interested in martial arts watching WWF, Jackie Chan, and Steven Seagal movies. Though the intricate movements of martial arts in Hollywood and sports entertainment are what drew him in, Anthony developed a profound appreciation for Muay Thai’s art and philosophy. This reverence and respect shine through in how he speaks about the sport.
Anthony has previous competition experience, but has recently turned his focus to coaching. He views coaching as a privilege and holds himself exceptionally accountable for his students success and safety.
Teaching Philosophy:
Muay Thai is a lifelong journey to be studied, read, and practiced. Since no one arrives to perfect mastery of the art, we should always be open to learning new techniques, and find fresh approaches for the old ones. Good technique is a function of using the mechanisms of our body to efficiently deliver strikes, evade damage, and control your space. A world champion can be knocked out with one strike if their guard is down, so it’s imperative that we place just as much attention on learning how to defend as we do to strike.
Class Concepts:
Body mechanics, efficiency, quality over quantity
Class Atmosphere:
Anthony sets a mindful, respectful, and driven tone in his classes. He begins with a tough warm-up, followed by drills with meticulous levels of detail and explanation. Anthony’s distinctive way of discussing technique sets his classes apart, and his demonstrations feel much like a philosophical discussion. He brings the world-class striking you expect to see at Spartan, but his emphasis is placed on being an intelligent martial artist.
Personality and Approach:
Anthony brings unparalleled philosophy, respect, humility, and mindfulness to martial arts. He has a deep appreciation for the art that is Muay Thai and would be quicker to describe a match as a dance than a fight.
To Anthony, technique takes precedence over power. If tasked with executing 50 kicks, he values cleanliness and efficiency over sheer speed and force. Cardio and conditioning has its place, but the masterclass happens with special attention to how we move our bodies, where we can use technique to deliver deadly strikes instead of exertion and power. For students seeking to enhance their strategic intelligence in the sport and learn to approach Muay Thai akin to a game of chess, Coach Anthony has no peer.
Coach Mikael
“I gear everything specifically to the individual,because everyone’s fitness, mentality, and goals are at a different level”
About Me:
Mikael has been training martial arts for just under 10 years and has been with Spartan for a year. Coming from a military background, Mikael was drawn to Spartan’s high performance, goal-driven environment, and the sense of camaraderie and family. Like many of Spartan’s members, Mikael works a 9-5, but his passion has always been coaching. Despite fighting a daily battle to find the time to train, you will always find Mikael inspiring his students and teaching them to find the fun in martial arts.
Teaching Philosophy:
Mikael believes that people’s training should reflect their personality, as well as their body types. An enthusiastic person will find enthusiastic ways to move in the ring, while someone who is reserved might find ways to relax and retaliate at an opportune moment, so Mikael is interested in teaching his students to capitalize on their strengths, and train out their weaknesses.
Mikael tailors his approach to every skill set and body type. A person who is starting their fitness journey will likely not start out with the same goals as someone who is competing for a title, and Mikael will help his students develop training programs that makes sense for their body, and their goals. In other words, there is no student, no matter their composition, who Mikael is not committed to helping set and reach their goals.
Class Concepts:
Situational sparring, positional sparring, practical application, making and learning from mistakes
Class Atmosphere:
Mikael creates a fun and inviting atmosphere. He believes that as long as his students get 1% better every day, they have had a successful class, and his tone and teaching style reflect that. If you have an injury and can’t perform a certain exercise, Mikael is happy to modify and make accommodations so all of his students can participate. Especially for newer students, Mikael’s top priority in his classes is ensuring a fun experience. He is happy to make modifications to achieve this goal.
Personality and Approach:
Mikael brings an eager and enthusiastic attitude to his class, with the goal of finding a fun way to teach something. His military training often sneaks into the way he teaches, and any student of Mikael will find it blends well with the world-class striking taught at Spartan.
For students who may doubt whether they possess the physique for martial arts or the required personality and resilience for a striking sport, Mikael is committed to going the extra mile to help them unlock their potential and achieve feats they never thought possible.
Coach Julius
“You do not conform to Muay Thai, you make Muay Thai conform to you”
About Me:
Julius has been training martial arts for over 3 decades and has a deep passion for Muay Thai. With competitive experience, years of coaching, and an obsession with the sport, Julius considers Muay Thai more than just a practice—it’s his lifestyle. He shadowboxes when he’s waiting for the bus, does Thai marches down the halls of his day job, and lies awake at night thinking of new ways to apply the art.
For him, the art is a source of fun, creativity, and purpose. You would be hard-pressed to find a coach that more enthusiastically explains why Muay Thai is so much fun to unwilling and frightened strangers.
Teaching Philosophy:
Julius teaches his students to paint their own art on the Muay Thai canvas, and his job is to show them how to hold the brush. Muay Thai is art, and each student paints differently. Julius aids them in building their foundation, learning the tools at their disposal, and applying those tools to their strengths.
Class Concepts:
Body mechanics, technical application, adaptation, creativity
Class Atmosphere:
“Everyone can be silly, but no one can be sillier than me”. Julius creates a fun atmosphere, but does not compromise on expecting his students to give their very best, work hard, and be the best Muay Thai practitioners they can be. Julius’s students can expect a class that is occasionally goofy, but consistently challenging and ultimately rewarding
Personality and Approach:
If Julius wasn’t consumed by Muay Thai, you would probably find him trying his hand at stand-up comedy. His fun-loving nature always shines through in class, and you will find him cracking jokes, poking fun at his students, and encouraging more playful aspects of the sport.
Behind the goofball is a calculating mind that is always looking for new ways to crack the Muay Thai code, and pass those teachings on to his students. For those seeking to comprehend the artistic aspect of Muay Thai, discover the fun, and master the adaptation of their body and strengths for optimizing their game, Julius is renowned for pushing students beyond their limits never letting the fun be lost in the journey.