KIMAA karateka from Turramurra, Annangrove, Lismore and Young dojos converged on Sydney to attempt various senior kyu grades.
Sensei Alex Lloyd during the grading.
The grading was the usual gruelling six-hour Kyokushin text of technique, stance, knowledge, fitness, focus and commitment.
Students were tested thoroughly on kihon (basics), ido geiko (movements through stance), advanced techniques, bunkai (application), kata (form), terminology and other surprises Hanshi Lipman threw at the students.
Sempai Jasper Choi during the grading.
The day ended with kumite (sparring). Most notable was Jasper Choi, attempting his first black belt grade, who endured the legendary 40 fights.
All students passed their grading. Among the grades, two black belt grades were awarded: Sensei Alex Lloyd was promoted to Sandan (3rd Dan), and Sempai Jasper Choi attained his Shodan (1st Dan).
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For their grading, Sensei Alex and Sempai Jasper each wrote an essay. Both are now on the website:
Seminar black belts: Sempai Wally Gray, Sensei Jon Ellis, Hanshi Howard Lipman, Sempai Alex Lloyd, Sempai Patricia Tan and Sensei Rob James.
Saturday morning kicked off at Sensei Jon’s Ballina Dojo. Adults and Little Lions came together to for the general class in kihon (basics) and kata (pattern) under Hanshi. Strikes, blocks and kicks were practised at length, examining the finer points of each technique. The students gained a new appreciation for how much goes into every aspect of Karate. They next applied these tips for technical precision into fighting drills. The class also performed some kata, and learned new partner-stretching moves.
Wesley Snider of Lismore Dojo tests his flexibility in the North Coast KIMAA Seminar.
The Saturday morning session.
That afternoon, a class for senior grades and a select couple of juniors was held at Sensei Mark’s Lismore Dojo. Hanshi continued the fighting drills lesson from the morning before Sempai Alex led the group through various kata: Yantsu, Pinan sono Go, Naihanchi and various kata in Ura. A few senior basic techniques were revised before the session finished.
Jermaine Downs, of Brisbane Dojo, at the North Coast KIMAA Seminar.
The Saturday afternoon session.
Sensei Jon and his wife Tabby generously held a group dinner at their home in Ballina.
Sunday featured a three-hour Kyokushin grading for junior adult kyu grades and the Little Lions. Hanshi Howard, Sensei Mark, Sensei Jon and Sensei Rob assessed the students while Sempai Alex led the grading. It was an intense morning, technically focused, fast and entailed a large number of push-ups.
Hanshi was delighted to pass everyone who attempted the grading. Students were awarded their belts that day. Special congratulations go to Blayne and Anthony, who were double-graded to senior yellow belt (5th Kyu). Special mention also must go to 1st kyu Jermaine Downs of North Brisbane Dojo, who exhibited excellent form over the weekend.
The karate class after the grading on Sunday.
A Kobudo class was conducted after the grading for interested students. Sempai Alex took the group through the finer technical points of the Bo staff, focusing on basic strikes as well as the first exercise and Kihon kata.
Sempai Trish and Wesley lead the Kobudo class.Sensei Jon Ellis and Sensei Mark McFadden during the grading.
It was an outstanding weekend organised by Sensei Jon and Sensei Mark. Thanks go to the North Coast dojo operators for use of their facilities, and to Sempai Wally Gray, Sempai Patricia Tan and Larissa Watson for their assistance as well. The North Coast students who don’t normally get to make the trips to Sydney enjoyed the opportunity to train with the head of the organisation, Hanshi Howard Lipman, which made it a memorable experience for all.
Dojo operators Sensei Jon Ellis, Sensei Rob James and Sensei Mark McFadden with KIMAA Chairman Hanshi Howard Lipman.
The first KIMAA seminar of 2018 was held in Sydney, on the weekend of March 10-11, at Annangrove Dojo.
The focus of the seminar was Kyokushin Karate. Kihon and kata were practised at length, interspersed with fitness and sparring sessions. Tameshiwari (board breaking) and Kobudo (weapons) were also undertaken.
Saturday kicked off with an intense basics session with Shihan Rick Cunningham and Shihan Peter Olive. After everyone was suitably sweaty, the class turned its attention to partner work, Sanbon Kumite, leg blocks and defence, and bunkai from Pinan Ni.
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After lunch, the seminar broke up into groups. Students not attempting a board break were assigned to a particular group and instructor to revise kata pertinent to their grade level.
For everyone else, Hanshi Howard Lipman led the class through tameshiwari. Hanshi introduced first-timers to the basics of board breaking, while more experienced karateka got some pointers before attempting larger breaks and multi-board combinations.
The class then recombined for an intense bag session, where students rotated through pairings to practise their roundhouse kicks.
Next was the Naihanchi kata. Shihan Idir Bahamid took the seminar through the kata, emphasising the importance of a solid stance and correct focus in the execution of techniques.
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After studying the kata, the group loosened up for kumite. Kyu grades and the Little Lions had turns sparring the black belts. A few egos were bruised, but everyone enjoyed and learned from the experience.
The seminar group on the Saturday.
That evening, Shihan Rick hosted a dinner for the out-of-Sydney guests and senior grades.
The next morning began with a suitably tiring basics session, led by Hanshi Howard.
After the basics, the seminar spent the rest of the day on self-defence, fighting techniques and kata revision, often broken into smaller groups by grade level. The group also revisited Naihanchi kata. The Kyokushin focus was briefly interrupted for a Kobudo session. Students had the option of learning a Bo, Sai or Eku kata, dependent on their experience level.
Sempai Jason Lambe and Sempai Patricia Tan during the Sydney KIMAA Seminar.
Shihan Peter Olive instructing.
The class finished up after a final group session. The KIMAA seminars continue to be an important feature on the calendar for students to interact with members from other parts of the organisation, and for the instructors to ensure unity in technical standards and Kyokushin spirit. Thanks go to all the organisers, and those who made the effort to travel to Sydney.
The next KIMAA seminar is at the North Coast in May.
The weekend of 10-11 February saw two senior classes take place in Sydney.
Hanshi Howard Lipman led a Black Belt class at Turramurra Dojo on the Saturday afternoon. Assisting with instruction were Shihan Peter Olive and Shihan Idir Bahamid. Some basic blocks, strikes and kicks were covered, along with most senior kata. The class finished with some partner drills.
Shihan Peter Olive and Shihan Idir Bahamid
Sensei Paul Finnerty, Sensei Mark Shelmerdine and Sensei James Sidwell
Hanshi Howard Lipman and Sensei Ben Ng
It was a hot, sweaty afternoon of Kyokushin training, but everyone pushed themselves hard. Yudansha of Turramurra and Annangrove dojos trained, along with Sensei David Craigie of Young Dojo.
Sensei James Sidwell, Sensei Don Cheong, Stephen Runge, Sensei Ben Ng, Sempai Jason Lambe, Hanshi Howard Lipman, Sensei David Craigie, Bernard Wilson, Sensei Ian Holdaway, Sempai Josh Darley, Sensei Paul Finnerty, Sensei Mark Shelmerdine, Shihan Peter Olive, Shihan Idir Bahamid and Sempai Alex Lloyd.
Both classes are gearing towards the March KIMAA Seminar in Sydney, and the next senior grading in June. Keep up to date with KIMAA events in the calendar.
The grading was for adults and Little Lions. “Great effort today from all who graded,” was the praise of Sensei Mark.
Thanks also go to Sempai Wally Gray, Sempai Patricia Tan, Sempai Will Brook and Wesley Snider for assistance with the grading, and to Sempai Trish, Larissa and Lauren for organising the catering.
After the grading, Students of the Year awards were handed out, followed by a Christmas party. Well done to all who participated in the grading, and the Students of the Year.
The karateka who graded with their instructors, 16 December 2017.
Training on the day was based around Kyokushin technique and kata, and considerable time was spent explaining this in detail.
Improvement could be seen in all students as a result of their efforts.
Hanshi Howard presented the students with certificates from their last grading. Sensei David was presented with his Fourth Dan grade in recognition of his long and devoted time teaching this martial art.
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“My congratulations to Sensei David on a dojo well run and Yondan (4th dan) well deserved,” said Hanshi Howard.
Hanshi Howard Lipman, Sensei David Craigie and Shihan Rick Cunningham, 11 November 2017.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 