Instructors and students from Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia (KIMAA) undertook an Okinawa Group Tour in April, following the last trip in March 2025. The training group comprised:
- Shihan Mark Shelmerdine (5th Dan Kyokushin, Renshi 6th Dan Kobudo)
- Shihan James Sidwell (5th Dan Kyokushin, 5th Dan Kobudo, KIMAA Chairman)
- Sensei Ben Ng (4th Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo)
- Sempai Allan Mortensen (1st Dan Kyokushin, white belt Kobudo)
- Sempai Maia Brown (1st Dan Kyokushin, 8th Kyu Kobudo)
- Sempai Narmie Thambipillay (1st Dan Kyokushin, 8th Kyu Kobudo)
- CJ Shelmerdine (6th Kyu Level 1 Kyokushin, white belt Kobudo)
Also accompanying the group on the tour were Masumi Lipman (wife of the late Hanshi Howard Lipman), Shihan Mark’s partner, Sempai Allan’s sister, and Sempai Maia’s mother. This was Sempai Allan, Sempai Maia and CJ’s first training trip to Okinawa.
KIMAA has been travelling to Okinawa to train with Sensei Tetsuhiro Hokama (Hanshi, 10th Dan) since 2008 and the organisation is proud and grateful to continue training with a true Okinawan Goju Ryu master. Renshi Mark and Shihan James were part of the original training trip 18 years ago and continue to return and train with Sensei Hokama frequently.
The group spent six days training with Sensei Hokama – five of daytime training sessions, and the general Saturday night class on the sixth day. Most of the training centred around Kobudo (weapons), in Bo, Sai, Eku and Nunchucku, but also in Karate for kata, bunkai (self-defence applications) and other techniques.
The tour group also trained one Kyokushin Karate night class with Shihan Yasuhiro Shichinohe (8th Dan), the local Kyokushin Branch Chief with which KIMAA has a long association with courtesy of the late Hanshi Howard.
Throughout their time in Okinawa, the group enjoyed sightseeing and soaking up more of the local culture and history, as well as the local cuisine. Some of these included the Naval HQ Okinawan War Memorial; in Onoyama Park the Ryūkyū Hassha Okinogū Shrine, Funakoshi Shrine and white Torii gate; and the Fukushū‑en Garden.
Towards the end of their time training with Sensei Hokama, Sensei awarded four new Kyu grades in Kobudo. After spending the week assessing the students, the following new Kobudo grades were bestowed:
- Maia – 4th Kyu
- Narmie – 6th Kyu
- Allan – 8th Kyu
- CJ – 8th Kyu
KIMAA extends a special thank you to Sensei Hokama for the calligraphy written on timber boards, welcome to entry boards that are now displayed at Turramurra Dojo.
On Friday night, the group enjoyed dinner with Sensei Hokama and his senior students. The group was honoured to be invited to a traditional Okinawan banquet, full of creative local delicacies.
Also present throughout the training sessions with Sensei Hokama was Shihan Ken Ogura, Sensei Hokama’s Nagoya Branch Chief. KIMAA values its close relationship with Shihan Ken, who is technically proficient and an extremely precise karate and martial arts practitioner. KIMAA looks forward to future endeavours with Shihan Ken.
After the week of training, the group enjoyed further sightseeing in Okinawa, including to Tokashiki Beach and Kerama Islands, before returning to Sydney.
KIMAA is already planning its next training trip to Okinawa.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 