about
us
We are a family owned, and operated business that’s been servicing Wollongong since the early 2000s.
More than a gym.
More than classes.
We’re a family ORIENTATED TEAM helping Wollongong grow more confident for over 20 years.
Martial arts and boxing taught by award-winning black belts, professional/amateur boxers, and passionate coaches who care about every student.
WHO WE ARE.
More Than a Gym - We’re a family.
And we know everyone says that, but we mean it when we say it.
Adapt Academy isn’t just a gym. It’s our family’s legacy.
What started over 20 years ago as a small martial arts school founded by Kosta’s mum - born from a desire to give her kids confidence, discipline, and a safe space after escaping domestic violence - has grown into a thriving community that’s now shaped hundreds of local families.
Kosta took over the gym 15 years ago, carrying forward his mum’s mission to help others build strength from the inside out in both Martial Arts and Boxing. Together, we’ve created a space where kids, teens, and adults can grow in confidence, resilience, and self-belief - both on and off the mats.
From first-time students to national champions, we’ve seen it all. But what makes us proudest isn’t the trophies- it’s the people. The parents cheering from the sidelines, the friendships that form here, and the families who’ve been training with us for generations.
We are proud ot be family friendly and family oritentated- because you’ll meet our family too.
Master Kosta is our head instructor, his mum Dee is on the mats, his wife Sarah is behind the desk and in the classes and our daughter Kalani is running on the mats. And all of our instructors have been with us so long, they feel like it too.
We’re not just here to teach martial arts and boxing. We’re here to help you and your family adapt, grow, and thrive - the same way ours did.
WHAT WE STAND FOR.
At Adapt Academy, we believe martial arts and boxing are about more than punches, kicks, and fitness — they’re about family, growth, and belonging.
Our journey began as a family searching for strength and confidence - and that same mission now lives through every class we teach. We’ve seen firsthand how training can change lives, from shy preschoolers finding their voice to adults rediscovering their confidence.
We stand for:
Confidence — helping every student believe in themselves, both in and out of the gym.
Discipline — teaching focus, respect, and resilience that carries through school, work, and life.
Community — creating a second home where families feel supported, connected, and proud to belong.
Growth — celebrating progress at every stage, not just perfection.
At Adapt, you’re not just joining a gym — you’re joining our family. And together, we’re building stronger, more confident people, one class at a time.
For Kosta, martial arts and boxing aren’t just sports — they’re his whole life.
His journey began over 30 years ago when his mum first enrolled him in martial arts after leaving a violent home. What started as a way to rebuild confidence and safety soon became a lifelong purpose — one that shaped not just his career, but his character.
Today, Kosta is a 6–0 undefeated professional boxer and current WBC Welterweight Australian Silver Title holder, as well as a 4th Dan Black Belt in both Hapkido and Taekwondo with hundreds of trophies and medals, including admitted to the ISKA Hall of Fame. But behind every title and every round are the same values his mum taught him — strength, respect, and resilience.
Over the past three decades, Kosta has lived and breathed what Adapt stands for: helping others become more confident, disciplined, and capable — no matter their age or starting point.
His proudest achievement, though, isn’t found in the ring or on the mats — it’s his family. When he’s not coaching or training, you’ll find him surfing, chasing a tan, or walking the Blue Mile in Wollongong with his wife Sarah and daughter Kalani.
Adapt isn’t just Kosta’s gym — it’s his family’s legacy. And under his guidance, every student who walks through the doors becomes part of that story.
MEET OUR OWNER, kosta skrapis
OUR COACHES
BOXING COACH
Nudge Mieli: 23 years of coaching experience.
Olympians. Commonwealth Games athletes. Multiple professional champions.
And yes - he’s coached our own Kosta Skrapis since he was 14.
Nudge is the current NSW Futures Coach, Head U19s Coach, Development Coach, and Head Coach Facilitator - and now, he’s officially joining Adapt Boxing Club as our Head Boxing Coach to lead our morning sessions.
SENIOR INSTRUCTORS
Miss Michelle: 3rd Dan Hapkido and 2nd Dan Taekwondo Blackbelts
Miss Ruby: 2nd Dan Hapkido and 1st Dan Taekwondo Blackbelts
Mr Rocco: 2nd Dan Hapkido Blackbelt, Amateur Boxer
Mr Toby: 1st Dan Hapkido Blackbelt, Amateur Boxer, 2024 King of the Ring
JUNIOR INSTRUCTORS -
Miss Romina: 2nd Degree Junior Black Belt
Miss Paige: 2nd Degree Junior Black Belt
The Adapt Difference
✅ 30+ years helping Wollongong families grow in confidence
We’ve been part of this community for generations — helping kids (and parents) build confidence, focus, and resilience.
✅ Award-winning black belt instructors who care
Every class is led by experienced coaches who know every student by name and treat them like family.
✅ Classes for every age and stage
We group students by age and belt level, so everyone learns at their own pace — from Little Rangers to adults.
✅ Smaller classes, more attention
Our high coach-to-student ratio means your child gets the support, guidance, and encouragement they deserve every session.
✅ Pathways for every goal
Whether you’re here for confidence, fitness, or competition — we have a pathway to match, from white belt to fight team.
✅ Family-friendly & flexible
No locked-in days, no pressure. Come when it suits you, bring your kids along while you train, or train while they do.
We’re here to make it work around your family — not the other way around.
Community & Culture
We’re not just a martial arts school or boxing gym. We’re a community where:
Preschoolers learn balance and focus
Kids discover confidence and discipline
Teens find resilience and purpose
Adults gain fitness, stress relief, and self-defence
Families train and grow together
At Adapt, martial arts and boxing become a foundation for life.
Join Wollongong’s most trusted martial arts and boxing academy. Claim your free trial and see why families have trained with Adapt for over 20 years.