Quick Facts
Biography
Asasio Lolofakangalo Heimuli (born 23 March 1960 in Tonga), commonly known as Lolo Heimuli, is a professional coach in kickboxing, boxing and mixed martial arts active in New Zealand. He has coached many notable people including Mark Hunt (MMA), Shane Cameron (Boxing), Ray Sefo and many more. Heimuli fought in Mauy Thai and Amateur Boxing before becoming a coach, however retired as an competitor in 1990 after a KO win over Narungsak of Thailand. Heimuli trained under Manukau Boxing gym with Jerry Preston and Ponsonby Lee Institue under Alf Pivac before becoming a coach. As a kickboxing coach, his boxers has won over 80 regional and World kickboxing titles. Heimuli currently owns his own gym in Auckland CBD called Balmoral Lee Gar. Heimuli use to be the head coach of City boxing gym.
Kickboxing titles
- 3 x New Zealand Open Martial arts champion
- 2 x New Zealand Wushsu Kung Fu champion
- New Zealand Light Heavyweight Kick Boxing Champion
Awards and titles won as a coach
Amateur boxing
- 1999 Tahiti Oceania Games (2 bronze) Tonga Representative
- 2002 Taupo Oceania Games (1 bronze) Tonga Representative
- 2004 Nuku’alofa Oceania Games (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze) Tonga Representative
- 2004 Athens Olympic Games (0 medals) Tonga Representative
- Melbourne Commonwealth Games (0 medals) Tonga Representative
- 2006 New Zealand Nationals (3 gold medals 4 silvers) Auckland Representative
- 2007 New Zealand Nationals (5 gold medals, 8 silvers) Rodney District Representative
- 2008 Samoa Oceania Games (1 Silver, 1 Bronze) Tonga Representative
- 2009 Canberra Oceania Games (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze) Tonga Representative
- 2009 New Zealand Nationals (12 gold medals, 5 silver) Auckland Representative
- 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games (2 Bronze Medals) Tonga Representative
- 2011 New Zealand Nationals (9 gold medals 7 silver) Auckland Representative
- 2011 AIBA World Championship Baku Azerbaijan (0 medals) Tonga Representative
- 2012 New Zealand Nationals (13 gold, 3 silvers) Auckland Representative
- 2012 Oceania Games, Canberra (0 medals) Tonga Representative
Awards
- 1995 Nominated for New Zealand all sports coaching award
- 1998 WKBF South Pacific coach/manager of the year
- 2000 Martial Artist of the century by Australasian Fighting Arts magazine
- 2001 International Kick Boxer magazine “2nd top trainer of all time”
- 2013 NZ Pacific Island Sports Awards. Legendary Life time Achievement 2013
Notable coached fighters
Current boxers
- Leki Maka (NZNBF champion)
Current MMA fighters
- Mark Hunt
Former boxers coached
- David Aloua
- Frankie Adams
- John Conway
- Junior Fa (Commonwealth Games bronze)
- Monty Betham (NZNBF Champion)
- Nailini Helu (3 x Amateur National Champion)
- Sam Rapira (IBO Asia Pacific champion)
- Shane Cameron (Commonwealth Champion)
- Vaitele Soi
Former kickboxers coached
- Alexey Ignashov
- Doug Viney
- Jason Suttie
- Jayson Vemoa
- Ray Sefo
Personal life
Heimuli played in a band as lead guitarist while still at St. Paul’s college. After Intermediate school, Heimuli play in Rugby union and Rugby League. He was the top points scorer for Waitemata Rugby League Club in 1983 in all senior sides. Heimuli created a YOUTH AT RISK program, volunteering by focusing on developing troubled youths and working with Pro fighters.