FIGHTCLUB INSTRUCTOR
Emmanuel Manolakakis
Owner & Chief Instructor
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Emmanuel has over 23 years of experience in a variety of martial arts, including Karate, Olympic freestyle Wrestling and Western Boxing. Emmanuel has spent the last sixteen years focusing on SYSTEMA, under the tutelage of Vladimir Vasiliev and Mikhail Ryabko.
His strong coaching, motivating and teaching track record dates back to1988. Emmanuel has earned several coaching certificates, letters of appreciation and awards for his proven leadership skills.
Complimenting his martial arts studies and leadership abilities is an academic history filled with certificates, corporate diplomas and a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University in Toronto.
"The knowledge and skills you will receive at FIGHTCLUB will make you a powerful warrior, but even more importantly a powerful person"
Emmanuel Manolakakis
Testimonials
"As a person and as an instructor he [Emmanuel] is TOP NOTCH and I recommend that anyone who has the chance to visit his school or one of his seminars goes. It will definitely be a life changing experience."
David Strachan, US Navy Special Boat Team 20 Training Dept LCPO
"Without doubt, the fight skills that you are able to equip your students with are both incomparable, effective and a real world practical line of self defense"
Joseph Gulesserian, MBA
"I've never stabbed anyone before. But feeling the heft of a Russian bayonet in my hand, I think maybe this will be my first time. After all, the small, sturdy guy keeps taunting me. "Just try to stab me," he says. I'm the one holding the razor-sharp knife. So I lunge. But he grabs my wrist, bends it backward and painfully redirects the knife back toward my gut. I've lost the fight, but learned a lesson at East York Fight Club, a different type of martial-arts gym, where there are no white uniforms, no black belts, no kanku katas, or tournament trophies. Just fighting. Lots of it."
Rob Shaw, Reporter - TORONTO GLOBE and MAIL
Marzano Perone
Certified Instructor
Raised in Toronto’s West end, Marzano started his training in a variety of martial arts. His first attempt was in the early 80’s with Tae-kwon-do, then Goju Ryu Karate and his last traditional style was Ju-Jutsu.
In the late 90’s, he began training in SYSTEMA. His thirst for learning does not stop there as he continues to attend different seminars and obtain other certificates in more non traditional styles like Canadian Defendo, and the Black Arts.
Marz’s realistic approach to teaching is directly related to his experiences within the entertainment industry, combining security, bouncing and negotiating skills while diffusing potentially harmful or dangerous situations.
Marz is also a dedicated family man, raising three teenage boys with his wife while living north of Toronto. He spends his free time involved in the local baseball association--coaching teams, giving clinics and helping kids to learn respect, dedication and commitment--while focusing on fun and team spirit.
Assistant Instructors
Mark Fan
Scott Patterson
Michael Mekhail
Lily Ponce
Julian Tremble
Daryl Sarkisian