News Events – Page 19 – Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia

KIMAA Seminar & Grading – October 30-November 1, 2015

The second KIMAA seminar and senior grading of 2015 were combined over the weekend of October 30th to November 1st.

Instructors and students came from all five KIMAA dojos to train in general self-defence, Kyokushin and Kobudo. Sensei Mark McFadden (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo), Sempai Wally Gray (1st Dan Kyokushin), Jeremy Gray and Patricia Tan came from Lismore Dojo; Sensei Jon Ellis (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 2nd Dan Kobudo) and Ben Brady came from Ballina Dojo; and Sempai Rob James (2nd Dan Kyokushin), Jermaine Downs, Hieu Hoang and Chris Mitchell came from Aspley Dojo.

The first session of the seminar was held on Friday night October 30th, at Shihan Howard Lipman’s (8th Dan Kyokushin, 7th Dan Kobudo) Turramurra Dojo. The class was focused on self-defence against an armed assailant, specifically against a hand gun, and later a knife. Ray of Dynamic Defence, a Krav Maga organisation, was the guest instructor at Shihan Lipman’s invitation.

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After a warm-up and a fitness session, Ray ran the class through various disarming drills that focused on the principles of defence against an assailant wielding a pistol. After going through the basics of gun work, the class turned to knife defence.

Ray’s class was enjoyed by all present. While the karateka only had time to learn the elementary steps of these drills, they got a great sample of the defence skills being taught. KIMAA hopes to have a class with him again in the future.

After the class, a group dinner was enjoyed at Noodle City in Gordon.

The 9am-4pm Saturday class was held at Shihan Rick Cunningham’s (6th Dan Kyokushin, 6th Dan Kobudo) Annangrove Dojo.

The seminar began with basic training, followed by sanbon kumite (or ‘three-step sparring’). The sanbon kumite gradually increased in intensity, using takedowns and counters from bunkai to develop more advanced defensive manoeuvres.

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This Saturday session included some of the more senior grades from Knox Karate.

The training progressed until lunch, with seniors challenged to come up with their own self-defence combinations while working with a partner.

After a BBQ lunch, cooked by Sensei Mark McFadden and prepared by Shihan Cunningham’s wife, Kirsti, the seminar moved on to tameshiwari (board breaking).

Kyu grades performed single, double and triple board breaks on wood placed on besser blocks, depending on their specific grading requirements.

Sempai Ben Ng and Sempai Don Cheong performed two multi-breaks (breaking four handheld boards with four consecutive techniques) as part of their grading syllabus. Sempai Mark Long and James Ruprai also performed a multi-break. Sempai Wally Gray then showed the younger generation how it’s done by breaking four boards at once with seiken (forefist) and shuto (knife hand) techniques.

Saturday’s training finished with fitness and fight training. Shihan Cunningham hosted a dinner for senior grades and the guests from other dojos at his house after training.

The senior grading began at 9am on the Sunday morning. Sensei Peter Olive (4th Dan Kyokushin, 1st Dan Kobudo) led the grading while Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham assessed the performance of the students.

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After the basics segment of the grading was completed, the karateka student body was broken up into groups. Those grading remained in the dojo, while Yudansha and Kyu grades not being graded went outside to do belt-specific training.

Sensei Mark McFadden, Sensei Jon, Sempai Rob, Sempai Mark Long (2nd Dan Kyokushin), Sempai James Campbell (2nd Dan Kyokushin, 2nd Dan Kobudo) and Sempai Alex Lloyd (2nd Dan Kyokushin, 1st Dan Kobudo) revised black belt katas, including Seipai, Okinawan Seipai and Sushi Ho.

Sensei Mark Shelmerdine (4th Dan Kyokushin, 4th Dan Kobudo) took the brown belts through Pinan Sono Go, Gekusai Dai and Yansu.

Sensei James Sidwell (4th Dan Kyokushin, 1st Dan Kobudo) took Nalin, 4th Kyu, through Gekusai Sho and Pinan Sono San.

Sensei Paul Finnerty (4th Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo) took the junior Kyu grades through Pinan Sono Ni.

The senior grading continued inside with advanced techniques, moving through stances, kata, bunkai, and fitness. The senior Kyu grades and black belts attempting the grading were Sempai Ben Ng, Sempai Don Cheong, Sempai Wally Gray, Josh Darley, Victor Sweeney, Patricia Tan and Jermaine Downs.

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Finally, the grading culminated with kumite (sparring). It was the longest part of the morning for those grading, with Josh and Victor completing 20 fights to meet their syllabus requirements.

Congratulations to all those who participated in the grading. Belts and certificates will be awarded to students by their instructors over the coming weeks. Extra special congratulations to our newly promoted black belts: Sensei Ben Ng (3rd Dan Kyokushin), Sensei Don Cheong (3rd Dan Kyokushin) and Sempai Wally Gray (2nd Dan Kyokushin).

The weekend did not end after the grading, however. After another lunch prepared by Kirsti, students were broken up into groups based on their Kobudo experience for weapons training. Bo, Sai, Eeku and Arnis (Escrima Sticks) were covered for the remainder of the afternoon.

KIMAA Black Belts: Sensei Mark McFadden, Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sensei Jon Ellis, Sempai Rob James, Sensei Ben Ng, Shihan Howard Lipman, Sensei Don Cheong, Sempai Alex Lloyd, Sensei Mark Shelmerdine, Sempai James Campbell, Sempai Mark Long, Sensei Peter Olive & Sensei James Sidwell

It was a tiring but successful weekend. It is always a productive and worthwhile exercise to bring all the dojos together: students get to train with karateka outside their own dojo, and all get to check that their techniques are matching the required KIMAA standard. Thanks to Sempai Alex Lloyd and Jonathan Lee for the photography and videos. Special thanks to everyone who travelled to Sydney for the occasion and, as always, to Shihan Howard Lipman and Shihan Rick Cunningham for organising the weekend.

KIMAA Dojo Operators: Shihan Rick Cunningham (Annangrove), Sempai Rob James (Aspley), Sensei Mark McFadden (Lismore), Sensei Jon Ellis (Ballina) & Shihan Howard Lipman (Turramurra)

Shihan Rick Cunningham & Shihan Howard Lipman

NAS Queensland State Titles – October 18, 2015

KIMAA students from NSW Far North Coast dojos Lismore and Ballina, and from Brisbane’s Aspley Dojo, competed in a National All Styles competition on October 18th. The competition was the NAS Queensland State Titles.

KIMAA competitors at the NAS QLD State Titles.

Karateka competitors included Amanda and Jack from Brisbane, and Ayla, Cooper, Conrad, Brad, Liem, Loc, Isaac, Yaco, Wes, Lachlan and Patricia from the North Coast.

Patricia Tan competed in multiple divisions, demonstrating her skills in both Kyokushin and Kobudo. Trish competed in:

Kyu Grade Kata (2nd Place)
Traditional Weaponry Kata (3rd Place)
Kyu Grade Point Sparring (3rd Place)

Trish also teamed up with Amanda Bolger for a partnership entry in two demonstration events: Creative Weaponry Demo and Creative Form Demo. The pair came 1st in both categories. Amanda also placed Second in her Points Sparring division and Fourth in Individual Kata.

Young Aspley Little Lion Jack Bolger did his dojo proud. Jack represented Kyokushin by competing in the Continuous Sparring 7-9 Years. He was eliminated in the first round, but came back to compete in the Points Sparring 8-9 Years. He won a round but was knocked out in the second. This is Jack’s first tournament and he is going from strength to strength, showing excellent character and endurance to face up after a loss and keep pushing.

Congratulations also go to young Cooper from the North Coast, who came fourth in his sparring division.

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A big round of applause to everyone who participated in the tournament. As Sensei Mark McFadden remarked, ‘It’s not the trophies – it’s the participation, it’s overcoming the fears of getting up in front of everyone or standing up to fight someone. Osu and well done.’

Thanks go to instructors Sensei Mark McFadden (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo), Sensei Jon Ellis (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 2nd Dan Kobudo), Sempai Rob James (2nd Dan Kyokushin) and Sempai Wally Gray (1st Dan Kyokushin) for all their efforts in preparing their students for the competition.

Senior Kata Training – October 10, 2015

A senior kata class was held at Turramurra Dojo on Saturday October 10th. Shihan Howard Lipman (8th Dan), Shihan Rick Cunningham (6th Dan) and Sensei Peter Olive (4th Dan) were instructing on the day.

KIMAA black belts from Turramurra and Annangrove (and young 2nd Kyu Josh Darley) attended the training session. Sensei Jon Ellis (3rd Dan), head instructor of Ballina Dojo, also made it down for the weekend.

The session focused on a number of black belt katas. Particular focus was given to studying Seipai, Kanku Dai and Sushi Ho. The correct technical execution, bunkai, kiai and timings (with and without count) were heavily emphasised.

2015-10-SeniorKata - 11 — Left to right: Sempai James Campbell, Sempai Don Cheong, Sensei Jon Ellis, Sempai Ben Ng, Sensei Peter Olive, Sensei Mark Shelmerdine, Sensei Idir Bahamid, Sempai Mark Long, Sensei Paul Finnerty, Sempai Alex Lloyd, Shihan Rick Cunningham, Shihan Howard Lipman, Joshua Darley.

Thank you to Shihan Lipman for hosting the day.

Normal Sydney Kobudo training followed on Sunday the 11th, with Sensei Jon also in attendance. It’s always a pleasure to have other KIMAA practitioners from other dojos training with us.

IFKKA Tournament – September 6, 2015

KIMAA students from Turramurra and Annangrove dojos entered the International Federation of Karate Kyokushinkai Australia tournament on Sunday September 6. The tournament was hosted by Shihan Doug Turnbull (6^th Dan) and Sensei Jenny Fuller (3^rd Dan) of the IFKKA. The competitors enjoyed great success, with most students walking away with placements at the end of the day.

KIMAA competitors with coaches Shihan Cunningham, Shihan Lipman and Sensei James Sidwell.

Competing in the full-contact Kyokushin tournament were:

Adults:

Sempai Ben Ng (2^nd Dan), Sempai Don Cheong (2^nd Dan), Sempai Alex Lloyd (2^nd Dan) and Andy Kuo (6th Kyu)

Kids:

Elia Parsanejad (3^rd Kyu), James Parasyn (3^rd Kyu), Kasra Parsanejad (4^th Kyu), Jasper Choi (4^th Kyu), Bernard Wilson (4^th Kyu Level 2), Christian Girdham (6^th Kyu) and Aaryan Sahukhan (6^th Kyu).

The coaches were Shihan Howard Lipman (8^th Dan), Shihan Rick Cunningham (6^th Dan) and Sensei James Sidwell (4^th Dan). Shihan Lipman’s wife Masumi and Sensei Paul Finnerty (4^th Dan) came to support the fighters, and Sempai James Campbell (2^nd Dan) took up the mantle of cameraman, as Sempai Alex was preoccupied!

Round 1 got underway promptly at 10 am. Aaryan Sahukhan and James Parasyn in the ‘Boys 11-13 years under 40kg’ division were up first. It was Aaryan’s first tournament. He showed great spirit, but his more experienced opponent won the match. James used his high kicks to keep his opponent away, scoring points quickly and progressing to Round 2.

Next up was the ‘Men’s Open Middle Weight’ division. Sempai Alex won his fight with aggression and continuous movement. He moved to Round 2, where Sempai Ben and Sempai Don were waiting after both having a bye. The younger years were back to the fighting mats again.

Bernard Wilson, ‘Boys 11-13 years 40-45kg’, held his own against a young black belt from another dojo, but the more advanced fighter won the bout. Next was Kasra Parsanejad, ‘Boys 11-13 years over 45kg’. Kasra had a great first fight, using his height and long legs to overpower his opponent with numerous head kicks.

Andy Kuo of ‘Men’s Novice Heavy Weight’ followed next. Andy copped some heavy hits from his opponent but kept pushing through, winning the round, after two extensions, with gusto. Jasper Choi, ‘Boys 14-15 years 50-57kg’, fought after Andy. Jasper displayed great energy, narrowly losing but still showing the right aggression and pace that a young Kyokushin fighter should have.

Round 2 was the round of extensions and determination. James Parasyn fought hard, narrowly losing to his black belt opponent. His fight went to one extension before the judges could determine a winner, however.

Sempai Don entered Round 2 after his bye, quickly overpowering his opponent. Don used his strong leg techniques and relentless chasing to out-muscle his opponent, earning his place in the Finals for the ‘Men’s Open Middle Weight’ division.

After his win in Round 1, Sempai Alex came up against Sempai Ben, who’d had a bye. The two exchanged many blows: Ben’s trademark strong side and thigh kicks against Alex’s punching barrage and uppercuts. It was a close fight, but Ben’s blocking and fast leg techniques ultimately prevailed. After two exhausting two-minute extensions, the judges finally declared a winner, giving the fight to Sempai Ben.

Kasra fronted up to his second fight in the ‘Boys 11-13 years over 45kg’ division. Kasra again used his height and kicks techniques to great effectiveness, giving him another win.

The final round of fights saw the placement play-offs and finals. Sempai Alex was up first against the opponent Sempai Don and beaten in Round 2. Alex used his aggression and strength to overpower his opponent. The referee awarded Alex the match after he scored two waza-ari, securing Alex as Third Place in the ‘Men’s Open Middle Weight’ division.

Elia Parsanejad had her first fight of the day in the final of the ‘Girls 14-15 years over 55kg’ division. Elia had energy and aggression, dominating much of the fight. However, despite her grit and resilience, her opponent won the bout due to scoring waza-ari from well-timed techniques.

Following Elia’s fight was the big event, the final for the ‘Men’s Open Middle Weight’ between Sempai Ben and Sempai Don. Sempai Ben started the fight a bit more tired than Sempai Don after his longer session in Round 2, but both competitors showed nothing but strong resolve and Kyokushin fighting spirit. The two went punch-for-punch, leading to a two-minute extension. Both sides give it their all in the extension, but ultimately Sempai Don’s leg techniques had more power. The fight went to Sempai Don.

The ‘Boys 14-15 years 50-57kg’ division continued in a round robin. Christian Girdham and Jasper Choi both had losses in this division, but faced each other as part of the play-offs. Jasper moved around a lot but Christian’s height gave him the advantage he needed, taking the win. (A video of this fight is not available.)

KIMAA’s last fight in the tournament was Andy Kuo in the ‘Men’s Novice Heavy Weight’. It was a long, hard fight with an extension. Andy took a hit to the groin and the jaw. His opponent won the fight, despite the penalty against him, but Andy couldn’t have done KIMAA any prouder.

Most of the fighters won placements at the end of the day. These included:

Men’s Open Middle Weight

Sempai Don Cheong – 1^st

Sempai Ben Ng – 2^nd

Sempai Alex Lloyd – 3^rd

Men’s Novice Heavy Weight

Andy Kuo – 2^nd

Girls 14-15 years over 55kg

Elia Parsanejad – 2^nd

Boys 14-15 years 50-57kg

Christian Girdham – 2^nd

Jasper Choi – 3^rd

Boys 11-13 years over 45kg

Kasra Parsanejad – 1^st

Boys 11-13 years 40-45kg

Bernard Wilson – 2^nd

Boys 11-13 years under 40kg

James Parasyn – equal 3^rd

Congratulations to everyone involved. Both first-time fighters and the more experienced combatants all displayed great determination and attitude, regardless of the strength and experience of their opponents. Shihan Lipman was very proud of all involved. Having KIMAA take so many placements, including the top three of the ‘Men’s Open Middle Weight’, was an extra special reward for all the hard effort put in by students and instructors alike.

Thanks again to Shihan Lipman, Shihan Cunningham and Sensei James for the coaching support, both on the day and in all the months of training prior.

KIMAA’s next big event will be the October/November Seminar & Grading.

Yudansha Training Weekend – August 22-23, 2015

On the weekend of August 22-23, KIMAA Yudansha (black belt grades) came together to do senior Kobudo and Kyokushin training.

Sensei Mark McFadden (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo), head instructor from Lismore Dojo, came down to participate in the regular Friday night class and special weekend seminar.

Following the normal Friday night training, the seminar began on the Saturday afternoon.

Shihan Rick Cunningham (6th Dan Kyokushin, 6th Dan Kobudo) hosted and led the seminar at Annangrove Dojo.

The Saturday afternoon session was Kobudo training. The group revised multiple Bo katas, the Sai katas, the Eeku, the Jō and the Arnis (screamer sticks) in exhaustive detail.

The full Yudansha group came back together on the Sunday morning, including Sempai Rob James (2nd Dan Kyokushin) from Brisbane’s Aspley Dojo.

Shodan, Nidan and Sandan Kyokushin katas were all reviewed at great length.

Particular focus was given to the count and timing of techniques, how to break down the katas when teaching, and the overall kimae (focus) a martial artist must apply when executing these movements.

The purpose of each movement and possible bunkai were looked as well.

Yudansha Training Weekend

Most senior katas were revised, from the relatively junior Gekisai Sho and Taikyoku Ura katas to Seienchin and Kyokushin Seipai. The Bo kata Chion (a requirement for Kyokushin Nidan) was practised as well.

The group enjoyed a meal together after training.

The weekend was seen as very successful and productive, with the senior grades able to tackle a lot of high-end content quickly yet in detail. More black belt training weekends will be held in the future.

Thanks go to Shihan Cunningham for taking the seminar and to Sensei Mark and Sempai Rob for making the journey to Sydney.

KIMAA Yudansha: Sempai Jason Lambe, Sempai Jessica Den, Sempai James Campbell, Sensei James Sidwell, Sempai Rob James, Sempai Don Cheong, Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sensei Mark McFadden, Sensei Mark Shelmerdine, Sensei Ian Holdaway, Sensei Peter Olive, Sensei Paul Finnerty and Sempai Alex Lloyd

Aspley Dojo: New Timetable

A new timetable is available for Aspley Dojo.

Head instructor Sempai Rob James is now offering more Little Lions classes geared towards specific age groups, for the benefit of all students.

Keep up with the latest from Aspley Dojo by liking their page on Facebook.

North Coast Karate & Kobudo Seminar – July 4-5, 2015

A Karate and Kobudo seminar was held on the weekend of July 4-5 at Lismore Dojo on the NSW Far North Coast. Instructors and students attended from Lismore, Ballina and Aspley dojos.

The seminar was taught by Shihan Rick Cunningham (6th Dan Kyokushin, 6th Dan Kobudo).

Also instructing were Sensei Mark McFadden (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo), Sensei Jon Ellis (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 2nd Dan Kobudo), Sempai Rob James (2nd Dan Kyokushin) and Sempai Wally Gray (1st Dan Kyokushin).

Saturday’s class focused on Kyokushin, with a particular emphasis on bunkai.

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Sunday’s training included a Kobudo grading.

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Congratulations to everyone who graded.

Thanks go to Shihan Cunningham for travelling from Sydney to teach the seminar, to Sensei Mark for hosting, Patricia for her organisational skills (including feeding a small Kyokushin army), and to Genevieve, Amanda and Julie for other lunch duty assistance.