HAYS DAEWOUD

Hays is the instructor of the Dragon Fist Freestyle system at Double Dragon Martial Arts.

Hays Daewoud has been studying Martial Arts for over 15 years, initially studying numerous styles of Karate & Hapkido before meeting Sifu Mick Spinks, the Master instructor and creator of the Dragon Fist Freestyle system at Double Dragon.

Hays began training at Double Dragon Martial Arts in January 1998.

Hays has trained with and been influenced by many Australian & world renowned martial artists including Mick Spinks, Will Soulos, Paul Fyfield, George, Nick, & Ziad Zakharia, Bob Jones, John Will, & Dan Inosanto.

Hays's uncle, George Zakharia, was one of the first Australians to compete in a Kickboxing match that included leg kicks; before this, kicking was only permitted above the waist.

George was the main reason he began training in Martial Arts and he was very pleased when Hays chose Mick Spinks as his trainer. Hays trains with his uncle’s & long time family friend Paul Fyfield when ever he travels to Melbourne, which is quite regularly.

Hays currently trains in Boxing, Kickboxing/Thai Boxing, Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Filipino Stick Fighting (Arnis, Kali).

A wide range of Martial Arts weapons are also part of Hays’s training these include Nunchaku, Sai, Sticks, Pole (Bo) & the Katana (Samurai Sword).

In order to increase his knowledge in Martial Arts, Hays regularly attends Martial Arts seminars, these include, Aikido, Krav Maga, BJJ, Close Quarter Combat and many others. The Dan Inosanto (Bruce Lee’s training partner) seminar is his most memorable where he had the rare opportunity to meet & train under him.

Hays’s broad Martial Arts experience has played a vital role in the success of his teaching the ‘Freestyle’ system at Double Dragon; he has also held self-defence & kickboxing seminars in the corporate world.

Outside of the gym Hays’s enthusiasm for martial arts has been carried on to TV. He featured in two episodes of the Australian police drama "Young Lions", where he played a kickboxer, & after a long audition process Hays was chosen to feature in a TV commercial for Mitsubishi, which was broadcast throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico.