Cameron Hirst was born in Auckland, New Zealand. His involvement in sport began early, training gymnastics from age 5, and was Auckland champion at 10, as well as national teams champion.

He started his martial arts training while in high school, studying judo for a short time with the school Japanese teacher, then later began learning Kung Fu at a local NZ YMCA where he was teaching children’s gymnastic classes.

In 2003, after graduating from University with a double major in Sport Science and Psychology, he moved to Shanghai, China. Shortly after he met Master Kai Uwe Pel and began studying the famous Traditional Chinese system of Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu learning from Master Kai Uwe Pel, a true legend of the art. Cameron also has experience in Chinese Sanda, winning championships at 80kg.