Following the success of the 2025 KIMAA seminar in Taree, Shihan James Sidwell organised a KIMAA seminar which was held in Sydney, hosted by the Honbu Turramurra Dojo over three days. Sensei Mark Long and students from Taree Dojo travelled down to Sydney for the event, and Masumi Lipman oversaw the weekend’s operations.
The night of Friday August 14th was the first session, held at Turramurra Dojo. Shihan James, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Sensei Ben Ng took students through basics (Kihon): punches, strikes, blocks, kicks, and of course push-ups.
Saturday began at the adjacent park after a group BBQ breakfast. The karateka then converged on the neighbouring Uniting Church Turramurra for a day in the hall. In the morning, Renshi Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James Sidwell took students through the basics of the Bo staff.
After lunch, the group reconvened for an intensive kata session, run by Shihan Idir Bahamid. Shihan Idir oversaw the group’s attention to finesse, focus, speed and power. After training, the students went out to dinner at the Blue Gum Hotel.
On Sunday morning, students arrived at the Blair Wark VC Community Centre in Lindfield. Shihan James and Shihan Mark ran a training session that included gohon and sanbon kumite followed by numerous renraku drills. The renraku comprised partner work for combat drills and self-defence combinations, demonstrated by Sensei Ben and Sensei Alex Lloyd.
At the end of training, Sensei Mark presented the Shihans with a certificate of appreciation and framed artwork. After packing up the centre, many students visited the nearby grave of Hanshi Howard Lipman to pay respects. It has been two years since Hanshi left us.
Well done to all students for their hard training and special thanks to the parents who provided support, particularly keeping everyone fed. We look forward to the next seminar in 2027.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 