David “Sensei” Stainko
Who is the instructor David “Sensei” Stainko prof.?
He began his journey into the world of martial arts in 1972 at the Budokai karate-do club in Rijeka, and received his club membership card in January 1973, and since then he has formally begun his martial arts training.
During his apprenticeship, he learned from many world-famous and reco
Who is the instructor David “Sensei” Stainko prof.?
He began his journey into the world of martial arts in 1972 at the Budokai karate-do club in Rijeka, and received his club membership card in January 1973, and since then he has formally begun his martial arts training.
During his apprenticeship, he learned from many world-famous and recognized masters-instructors in various martial arts. Among the many, let us mention some of them; for the martial art of Karate – Taiji Kase, Hirokazu Kanazawa, Shiroshi Shirai, Dr. Ilija Jorga, Joshinao Nanbu and others, for Kung Fu - Shin Dae Wong, Leung Ting, Al Dacascos and others, for Tae kwon do - Park Sun Jae, General Choi Hong Hi, Hee Il Cho and others, for Kickboxing - Joe Lewis, Mike Anderson, Dominique Valera and others, for Savate - Richard Sylla and others, for Muay Thai - Branko Cikatić, Thom Harinck (Chakuriki) and others, for Judo (and Sambo) - Antun Gesing, Slavko Obadov and others, for Budokai (judo, jiu-jitsu, karate) Dr. Emin Topić, Prof. Dr. Branimir Kuleš and others, for boxing Milan Richter, Ivan Sertić and others, for wrestling Prof. Dr. Josip Marić and others, for Ninjutsu Masaaki Hatsumi, Ronald Parks and others. In 1981 he began training in special military training according to the Russian system (JNA), including training in close combat, knife fighting and knife throwing.
In 1978 he became the youngest verified WAKO instructor, receiving the title and title of instructor from the founder of the WAKO organization Georg F.Bruckner.
He is a Master of Kinesiology and a senior organizer of kinesiological recreation, and a recognized instructor in several different martial arts with 53 years of experience in martial arts and the status of chief instructor since 1978.
David "Sensei" Stainko underwent special military training during his apprenticeship and was also a military instructor (JNA), while today he has the status of a Croatian veteran of the Homeland War.
As the head of various security companies, he worked in several venues, the longest in the Payton nightclub, in the No 1 disco, the Angel nightclub and in the Condor security company. Today he is an expert in judicial criminal proceedings on trial where he explains matters related to martial arts to the judges during the trial process.Today he has the status of an instructor consultant for various martial arts and has published more than 70 professional articles in as many as 27 specialized martial arts magazines in 15 languages. He is the author and collaborator of many publications and. manual on martial arts for the needs of the army, he is also the author of the book History of Martial Arts, published in Croatia.
David "Sensei" Stainko already in 1978, as a 16-year-old young man, had the status of the youngest chief instructor from one of the martial arts centers for the study of martial arts in Europe.
In 1979, he formed the Martial Arts Club "Viktorija" and registered it as such under that name, which was also the first officially registered club for mixed martial arts (MMA) in Europe, and the first or one of the first in the world.
David Stainko prof. today he has the status of the oldest active instructor with the title 8 Dan, for the martial art - Budokai karate-do (Budokwan, Budokwai)
He is one of the few instructors of the now forgotten and neglected Bartits martial self-defense system - a self-defense method for gentlemen whose founder was the Englishman Edward Barton Wright; Bartitsu – The lost Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes
He was given the nickname "Sensei" in 1982 by his students, as a form of respect for him and his dedication to martial arts.
A real street fight is not a sport. Many confuse martial arts training with real combat. In the street, there are no rules, no referees. Fair play doesn’t exist. I was once asked if strength, speed, or skill helped me win. The truth: survival mindset matters most. In real figh
Martial arts build strong, brave individuals ready for hard times. In an age of comfort, people grow weak. True martial artists seek knowledge, skill, and lifelong learning—not titles or bragging. Never waste time arguing with fools. Stay calm; your peace is worth more.
Master your mind before your body. In real fights, belts and ranks mean nothing—only skill matters. Never reveal all your knowledge. Life gets hard; most people vanish. Be strong alone. A fighter’s strength lies in unpredictability. Don't think you're a rock if you're only sand.
David "Sensei" Stainko
Master of Kinesiology & Martial Arts Innovator
David “Sensei” Stainko, Master of Kinesiology and senior organizer of kinesiological recreation, was born in 1962 in Rijeka, Croatia. He completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown before enrolling at the University of Zagreb in 1980, where he earned his M.A. degree in Kinesiology.
Today, Sensei Stainko serves as a Physical Education teacher and martial arts counselor, continuing to live and work in Rijeka.
His martial arts journey began in 1972 with Budokai Club Rijeka. In 1978, at just 16 years old, he founded the Youth Budokai Club, later renamed The Club of Martial Arts Victoria — the first registered club of its kind in the former Yugoslavia, and one of the earliest in Europe.
That same year, he earned his 1st DAN black belt in Budokai and became a WAKO-certified instructor.
In the early 1980s, he expanded his training into boxing and kickboxing, later adding Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, Aikido, Judo, Ju-Jutsu, and Wing Tsun Kung Fu to his growing arsenal of skills. By 1983, he had achieved his 3rd DAN in Budokai, and in 1984 became an instructor of Jeet Kune Do and Tai Chi-style Kung Fu.
Sensei Stainko’s progression continued rapidly:
- 1986: Earned 4th DAN black belt and became a certified coach in kickboxing and Tang Soo Do.
- 1987: Became a certified Karate Kyokushinkai trainer and began studying Viet Vo Dao.
- 1988: Achieved 1st DAN black belt in Shotokan Karate while deepening his expertise in wrestling and Sambo.
- 1989: Gained Silver Glove title and coaching license in Savate Boxing.
- 1990: Achieved 5th DAN in kickboxing (PKA).
Throughout these years, he also trained in Brazilian Capoeira, Hwa Rang Do, and Pa Kua Kung Fu, learning from master's across England, Korea, Japan, the United States, Germany, Hungary, France, Italy, and Russia.
Sensei Stainko has been a pioneer in martial arts organizations, serving as a founding member of various associations and acting as a federal judge in Boxing, Karate (WUKO), Tae Kwon Do (ITF), and an international judge for kickboxing and Savate.
Beyond the dojo, he is a prolific writer, contributing over 70 professional articles to 25 different magazines published in 15 languages worldwide.
In 1997, after 25 years of continuous study, he achieved the master title of 6th DAN in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). His research-driven approach to martial arts deepened over the next decade, culminating in the 7th DAN Master title in MMS (Mixed Martial Sciences) in 2010 — a recognition of his published research and lifelong commitment to the advancement of martial arts.
By 2018, at over 55 years of age and with 45 years of martial arts experience, he earned the prestigious 8th DAN Master title, further solidifying his legacy.
Throughout his competitive career, Sensei Stainko competed in four European Championships and three World Championships, capturing the European title in 1986, joining the elite European Martial Arts Team in 1987, and taking second place at the 1988 WMMAF World Championship.
Today, David Stainko is recognized worldwide as a consultant in various martial arts disciplines. He is also honored as a Croatian military veteran of the Homeland War, representing both his country and the spirit of martial arts excellence on and off the battlefield.