KIMAA held our March Kyokushin senior grading at Turramurra Honbu Dojo. Attendees from Lismore Dojo and Taree Dojo as well as Turramurra participated.
Sensei Ben Ng conducted the grading while Hanshi Howard Lipman assessed the students, assisted by Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James Sidwell.
The grading covered all the usual key points – kihon, kata, fitness and kumite. Basics were covered extensively, as well as partner work, combinations, ido geiko and senior techniques. Kata of all level were performed by those attempting new grades.
The karateka from Lismore – Evelyn, Annabelle, Letitia and James – showed great spirit in their fights, including up to 15 bouts for Evelyn and Annabelle, who were grading for 2nd Kyu (Brown Belt).
Congratulations to all those who graded. In addition to several Kyu grades, three new Black Belt grades were awarded:
- Shihan Idir Bahamid – 6th Dan Kyokushin (Rokudan)
- Shihan Mark McFadden – 5th Dan Kyokushin (Godan)
- Sensei Alex Lloyd – 4th Dan Kyokushin (Yondan)
At the end of the grading, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine presented Hanshi Howard Lipman and his wife Masumi a photobook of the 2023 Japan trip, as a group thank-you gift for the tour. Afterwards, Hanshi presented Shihan Idir, Shihan Mark McFadden and Sensei Alex their new grades.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 