Master Denis “Knuckles” Magua – 7th Dan, ITF Taekwon-Do
Denis Magua, widely known as Master Knuckles, is a 7th Degree Black Belt and internationally certified Master Instructor in ITF Taekwon-Do, based in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada. A lifelong martial artist, Denis has dedicated over three decades to the study, practice, and instruction of martial arts, beginning his training at just five years old in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Formally trained in Judo, Tang Soo Do, Boxing, and Taekwon-Do, Master Magua brings a broad and deeply rooted skill set to his teaching. His promotion to 7th Dan / Master Level Black Belt on April 22, 2023, in London, UK, reflects not only technical excellence but also his high standards in instruction, discipline, and character development.
Though a decorated competitor—including being a 3-time ITF World Championship medallist (2001, 2007, 2014) and a multiple-time South African National Champion—Master Magua's true focus lies in the traditional, non-sport aspect of martial arts. He emphasizes real-world self-defence, street effectiveness, and mental discipline, firmly believing that developing the mind is just as essential as training the body.
Master Magua is:
Vice President and co-founder of Taekwon-Do South Africa
Co-founder of the Magua Taekwon-Do Clubs
Co-head coach of the South African National Taekwon-Do Team
Head Instructor at Magua Taekwon-Do Schools in Canada
In 2016, Denis emigrated to Canada, establishing his teaching presence and eventually founding the Magua Taekwon-Do Dojang in 2025 within the Muskoka Brand Recreation Centre in Huntsville. Since opening, the school has grown steadily.
He trains students using a traditional ITF curriculum, including sparring, patterns, hosinsul (self-defence), special techniques, and more. His instruction philosophy is rooted in forging discipline, character, and toughness, helping each student realize their fullest potential.
“Taekwon-Do is paradoxical, in a lot of senses. You learn how to fight so that you don’t have to.”
More than just a martial art, Master Magua teaches Taekwon-Do as a way of life—a lifelong pursuit that transcends sport, emphasizing self-betterment, resilience, and longevity in training.
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