Kyokushin Senior Grading – June 21, 2025

Kyokushin Karate students of KIMAA Turramurra and Taree dojos attempted a 5.5-hour Senior Grading at the KIMAA Honbu (Turramurra) on Saturday June 21st 2025. Many younger karateka attempted 4th Kyu (Green Belt) while two adult students – Sempai Josh Darley and Trent Lim – attempted their black belt grades.

The students were assessed by Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James Sidwell. The grading was run with support from other senior black belts, including Sensei Ben Ng, Sensei Don Cheong, Sensei Alireza Miri and Sensei Alex Lloyd.

The grading’s first section focused on the usual elements, comprising a warm-up, basics and moving through stance.

Next, the students were assessed on their technical ability through their kata demonstrations.

Following an extensive kata display, especially for Sempai Josh Darley, the grading moved on to one-step kumite, then the general fitness section.

Finally, the long part of the day commenced. The 40 fights for 1st Dan Black Belt. The ‘Kyokushin 40 fights’ are legendary. Both Josh and Trent completed their 40 one-and-a-half minute full-contact fights. Josh had done the 40 during his 1st Dan grading in 2016. He achieved a rare feat of grading to black belt while being under 18 years old. As he graded when he was 12 years of age, he did the 40 fights again for his 3rd Dan grading to be tested as an adult. Trent did the 40 fights as a routine part of his 1st Dan grading.

All students were thoroughly tested, repeatedly sparring against black belts senior to them, junior black belts including Sempai Maia Brown and Sempai Narmie Thambipillay, and a few fights with juniors being tested on the day. The young men were pushed to their limits and excelled in the face of adversity.

Congratulations to all who attempted the grading, especially our newest Yudansha:

“Congratulations to all who graded. Especially to Sensei Josh Darley on his 3rd Dan grading and Sempai Trent Lim on shodan. Both who completed 40 consecutive full contact fights at 1.5 minutes each. Osu.” – Shihan James Sidwell