No typing in all of Pokemon represents sheer power quite like Fighting-type. It's no surprise, either, since it has the highest average base Attack stat compared to all other types. Why have brains and defenses when you can just hit everything as hard as possible?
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The Fighting-type is also the only typing to have a Gym Leader or Elite Four member in every single generation, with a total of twelve specialists across the series. So, let's find out which master has earned their black belt and which ones skipped leg day.
12 Karate Master Koichi
While not usually listed as a Fighting-type trainer on most official lists, the leader of Saffron City's Fighting Dojo still deserves recognition as he is probably the first Fighting specialist most players will interact with. And even though Koichi didn't get an official name until Fire Red and Leaf Green, he's not entirely terrible.
The Dojo lost its Gym status after being defeated by Sabrina, which isn't a surprise since she has a massive type advantage and is the best Gym Leader in all of Kanto. But his team is still iconic, and it was originally the only way to get Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan.
11 Hala
Narratively, Hala is an important character. He gives you your starter, he's the grandfather of your rival, and he's the first Island Kahuna you battle. In contrast, he is also one of the weakest trainers you will face in all of Pokemon.
This is especially shocking because Hala is bumped up to an Elite Four member at the end of Sun and Moon. However, his team only has a single Pokemon with a full moveset — a weak Primeape — and some of his others only know two moves. Also, Hala has barely any counters to Flying-type Pokemon and has none whatsoever to Fairy-types. Hala may be an important figure, but he's never been a challenge.
10 Chuck
Chuck is often in a battle against Falkner and Pryce regarding who is the weakest Gym Leader in Johto. Chuck only has two Pokemon and neither of them is particularly threatening. It seems that being able to throw a boulder doesn't translate to a good battle strategy.
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So, why is Chuck above Hala? Easy — because his rematch team in HeartGold and SoulSilver is actually pretty good! It uses Substitute and Double Team to make it easier to throw powerful Focus Punches. Chuck may not be an initial threat, but he does get better over time.
9 Bruno
There are a lot of people who will tell you that Bruno is the worst Elite Four member of all time, mostly because of the first generation's terrible AI. But when it comes to longevity in the series, no one has been around quite as long as Bruno.
Bruno appears in the first four generations of Pokemon, and comes back in Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee. Each time it seems that his team gets better. He's also the first trainer to really use Machamp, although he definitely wasn't the last. While he's still never a real threat, Bruno doesn't quite deserve all of the hate he gets.
8 Brawly
Despite being a surfer bro, Brawly lives up to his name and loves to fight. For being the earliest Gym Leader on this list, he can be surprisingly tough. This is because of how bulky and powerful Makuhita is early in the game.
The rest of his team is pretty decent, with the ever-present Machop line. And while Meditite would usually be a welcome addition, it's made weaker by running Focus Punch without any way to prevent the player from hitting it. If you're having trouble with Brawly, just get a Taillow and sweep his team.
7 Korrina
Korrina is the first on this list of Pokemon's powerful battle girls. Each of them is incredibly threatening, with strong individual Pokemon that can destroy any unsuspecting challenger. And even though she is a master of Mega Evolution, Korrina is by far the weakest of the three.
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While Korrina is more well known for her signature Lucario, her ace in the Gym battle is a Hawlucha with the powerful Flying Press. The only reason her team isn't higher up on this list is that she has no answer to Psychic or Fairy-types (which could be countered by her Lucario). Otherwise, Korrina is surprisingly tough and you shouldn't take her lightly.
6 Bea
The counterpart to fan favorite Allister, Bea is much more powerful. Not only can she easily handle Allister's ghosts, but Bea's team hits hard with four fully evolved Pokemon. That's tough for only the fourth Gym! She also gets some decent coverage with Pangoro and power with Technician Hitmontop.
Unfortunately, that goes away with her Champion Cup team, which is made of almost entirely solo Fighting-types. And while they do have some kind of coverage, it makes it a lot easier to pick her team apart. Even though her team boasts a ton of power, it comes at the cost of covering her weaknesses.
5 Dendra
One of the two Fighting specialists introduced in Scarlet & Violet, Dendra is a professor at the Academy. And even though she has to work for Gym Leader Tulip since she lost to her in battle, know that Dendra is no pushover.
Dendra's team has a lot of Pokemon that hit hard and fast like Hawlucha and two forms of Tauros. To make matters worse, she also has a bulky Hariyama and a Pure Power Medicham that knows the new move Axe Kick. Add on some decent coverage and you have a truly terrifying teacher!
4 Marshal
So far, the Fighting-type Elite Four members have left a lot to be desired. This all changed in the fifth generation with the introduction of Marshal, who along with Shauntal, Grimsley, and Caitlin, makes up one of the strongest Elite Fours of all time.
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Marshal's at his strongest when you rematch him in Challenge Mode. There, he has several Pokemon that have been aces for previous trainers. On top of that, he also has a Mienshao with the Regenerator ability and Conkeldurr with Guts, two of the strongest Pokemon of that era. You can tell Marshal has been training with a Champion, because his team is gold.
3 Eri
Arguably the toughest member of Team Star, Eri is a student and professional wrestler who cares deeply about her friends. In fact, she'll rush out to battle you before any of her friends have a chance! This is intimidating not just because of her impressive physique, but because she is a great battler, too!
Eri's team features a ton of strong Pokemon that can cover at least one of their weaknesses. However, her most dangerous Pokemon is Annihilape, which is not only part Ghost-type but has a move called Rage Fist that gets stronger every time it gets hit. If you come in unprepared, Eri is going to tear right through you.
