Announcements & News – Page 20 – Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia

KIMAA Brisbane Seminar – July 23-24, 2016

The third KIMAA seminar of 2016 was held in Brisbane on the weekend of July 23rd to 24th.

The seminar was hosted by Sempai Rob James, head instructor at North Brisbane and Nundah dojos. Shihan Rick Cunningham travelled from Sydney to lead instruction.

The seminar began on the Saturday afternoon. Much of the afternoon was dedicated to kata and bunkai. Attention was also given to breathing technique and the importance of expanding one’s lung capacity. Self-defence applications were derived from the three Taikyoku katas, Sokugi Taikyoku sono Ichi and the first three Pinan katas. The more senior grades also went through Sanchin and Tsukino.

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Kumite was a big part of the afternoon, with Shihan Cunningham discussing the finer points of stances, kicking, timing, distance and a good defence.

The seminar resumed on the Sunday, beginning with a Little Lions session. The class covered Kyokushin kihon, kata and pad work.

Kata, bunkai and pad work were the main focuses of the Sunday adults class as well.

The weekend was very successful and the students learned a lot. Thanks goes to the venue, Healthworks Fitness Centre Aspley. Sempai Rob and his students were also enormously grateful to Shihan Cunningham for teaching the seminar.

“It’s not everyday you train with someone like Shihan Rick, who has a wealth of knowledge in the martial arts, is a great mentor and genuinely wants to see you grow,” said Sempai Rob.

Shihan Rick Cunningham with Sempai Rob James and his adult students.

Kobudo Photo Shoot – June 26, 2016

Following the Black Belt class and senior Kyokushin grading the day before, a Kobudo class was held on Sunday June 26.

Ready for partner work with the Bo staff.

The class was held at Annangrove Dojo, with instruction led by Shihan Rick Cunningham (6th Dan Kyokushin, 6th Dan Kobudo). Assisting with teaching was Sensei Mark Shelmerdine (4th Dan Kyokushin, 4th Dan Kobudo), Sensei Paul Finnerty (4th Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo) and Sempai Alex Lloyd (2nd Dan Kyokushin, 1st Dan Kobudo).

KIMAA Kobudo black belts: Sempai Alex Lloyd, Sensei Jon Ellis, Sensei Mark McFadden, Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sensei Ian Holdaway, Sensei Paul Finnerty & Sensei Mark Shelmerdine.

From KIMAA’s North Coast and Queensland dojos were Sensei Mark McFadden (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo) and Patricia Tan from Lismore Dojo, Sensei Jon Ellis (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 2nd Dan Kobudo) and Will Brook from Ballina Dojo, and Sempai Rob James (2nd Dan Kyokushin) and Amanda Bolger from North Brisbane Dojo. Trish, Will and Amanda did very well at training considering the rigours of the Kyokushin grading the previous day.

Sensei Mark and Sensei Jon from the North Coast with Shihan Cunningham.

Sensei Mark and Trish from Lismore Dojo with Shihan Cunningham.

Amanda and Sempai Rob from North Brisbane Dojo with Shihan Cunningham.

An extended and intensive Kobudo class was held revising various weapons and katas. Turramurra student Jonathan Lee attended the class to do some photography.

Shihan Rick Cunningham with the Eeku.

Sensei Mark Shelmerdine with the Bo.

Partner work: Sensei Jon with Sensei Mark.

Partner work: Sensei Jon blocks Sensei Mark.

Sempai Rob James with the Sai.

Sensei Ian Holdaway with the Bo.

Sensei Jon Ellis with the Sai.

The class perform the Eeku kata.

Partner work: Amanda with Sempai Alex.

Sensei Mark McFadden with the Bo.

Amanda Bolger with the Eeku.

Partner work: Will with Amanda.

Sempai Alex Lloyd and class perform a Bo kata.

Patricia Tan with the Sai.

Will Brook with the Bo.

Sensei Paul Finnerty with the Bo.

Sempai Alex Lloyd with the Eeku.

Thank you to Shihan Cunningham for taking the class, Jonathan for doing the photos and everyone who came along to train.

KIMAA Kobudo class: Sempai Alex Lloyd, Sensei Jon Ellis, Patricia Tan, Will Brook, Sensei Mark McFadden, Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sensei Ian Holdaway, Amanda Bolger, Sensei Paul Finnerty, Sempai Rob James & Sensei Mark Shelmerdine.

Senior Kyokushin Grading – June 25, 2016

After the Black Belt Class that morning, a senior Kyokushin grading was held on the afternoon of Saturday June 25 at Turramurra Dojo.

Shihan Howard Lipman corrects technique of students while assessing them. — Shihan Howard Lipman corrects the technique of students in the grading.

Students from all five KIMAA dojos (before the opening of Nundah Dojo) participated in the grading. Shihan Howard Lipman assessed students while Shihan Rick Cunningham took the grading.

Shihan Rick Cunningham leads the grading.

Sensei Mark McFadden, Sensei Jon Ellis and Sempai Rob James flew down to Sydney to support their students in the grading. Patricia Tan from Lismore Dojo, Will Brook from Ballina Dojo and Amanda Bolger from North Brisbane Dojo accompanied their instructors to Sydney to participate in the grading.

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Some of the students grading from Turramurra included Jasper Choi, Bernard Wilson and Elia Parsanejad. They kept pace well with the senior grades, Will and Trish, from up the coast.

Will performed admirably in his 20 fights for 1st Kyu (Senior Brown Belt).

Amanda sparring for her grading.

Sempai Rob sparring.

Will Brook with Sensei Jon after his 20th fight.

Results decided upon by Shihan Lipman will be announced by the various dojo head instructors. Congratulations to all who passed, and well done on everyone for attempting.

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Group photo of those who attempted the grading and supporting black belts.

Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sensei Jon Ellis, Will Brook, Patricia Tan, Shihan Howard Lipman & Sensei Mark McFadden.

Nundah Dojo – New KIMAA Dojo in Queensland

Sempai Rob James has opened a second dojo in Queensland under the banner of Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia (KIMAA). Nundah Dojo is KIMAA’s sixth dojo.

Sempai Rob James receives his official dojo operator license from Shihan Howard Lipman in 2013.

Sempai Rob is a KIMAA-accredited 2nd Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate and a licensed dojo operator under KIMAA Chairman, Shihan Howard Lipman (8th Dan Kyokushin, 7th Dan Kobudo). He offers training in Sosai Oyama’s Kyokushin Karate (full-contact karate) and Sensei Hokama’s International Hokama Kobudo (weapons).

Sempai Rob opened KIMAA’s first Queensland-based dojo (then Aspley Dojo) in 2012. He currently runs the recently relocated and renamed North Brisbane Dojo.

Classes at Nundah Dojo are 6.00-7.30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, for adults only.

Congratulations to Sempai Rob on opening another dojo. May all KIMAA karateka extend their support and encouragement to Sempai Rob on the exciting news. To all new students, welcome!

You can find more about KIMAA’s Nundah Dojo here and on Facebook.

North Brisbane Dojo

KIMAA’s first Queensland-based dojo, Aspley Dojo, has been renamed North Brisbane Dojo.

The Aspley Dojo venue will close down in early July, and training will resume at the new North Brisbane Dojo:

OES Project Hall
Corner of Kitchener Road & Bohland Street
Kedron QLD 4031

Instruction will continue under Sempai Rob James, and the timetable is unchanged. For more information or to contact Sempai Rob, click here. Follow North Brisbane Dojo on Facebook here.

AKKA NSW State Tournament – May 22, 2016

KIMAA karateka from Turramurra and Annangrove dojos competed in the Australian Kyokushin Karate Association NSW State Tournament on May 22.

Sempai Jason Lambe (1st Dan Kyokushin) and Christian Girdham competed from Annangrove Dojo, while Angus and Victor Sweeney represented Turramurra.

Christian Girdham and Sempai Jason Lambe with Shihan Rick Cunningham.

Acting as coaches and other support on the day were Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sensei Mark Shelmerdine, Sensei James Sidwell and Sensei Don Cheong.

Victor and Angus Sweeney with Sensei James Sidwell and Sensei Mark Shelmerdine.

Sempai Jason, Angus and Victor all fought in the COLTs heavy weight division while Christian fought in the COLTs light weight division.

Sempai Jason and Victor were up against each other for their first fight. Victor lost to Jason by a half-point due to a solid kick to the ribs, but the round still went to completion.

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Angus was up against a black belt in his first round. Angus lost by a half-point when he took a jodan mae geri to the face, but continued the fight to completion.

Sempai Jason then went up against the black belt who had bested Angus. Sempai Jason fought well but also lost by a half-point due to a head kick, yet he finished the round all the same.

These three had fought in the AKKA state titles last year and in others, but for Christian, it was his second tournament. He fought well for his second time, but ultimately lost his round due to an ushiro geri kick.

Well done to all competitors for turning up and representing KIMAA.

Sempai Jason Lambe, Victor Sweeney, Sensei James Sidwell, Shihan Rick Cunningham, Angus Sweeney, Sensei Mark Shelmerdine & Christian Girdham.

Queensland NAS – May 22, 2016

Sensei Mark McFadden and Patricia Tan with the Little Lions. — Sensei Mark McFadden and Patricia Tan with the KIMAA North Coast Little Lions team.

On Sunday May 22, four Little Lions from the KIMAA North Coast team competed in another round of the National All Styles. The tournament was held in Queensland.

Four Little Lions – Brad, Liam, Isaac and Loc – participated on the day. Sensei Mark McFadden (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo) and Patricia Tan were the coaches.

Brad Chisolm of Ballina Dojo came second in point sparring, while Loc Ngyuen of Lismore Dojo came first in point sparring. Both boys fought in different divisions.

Well done to all who competed, and to Brad and Loc for their wins!

Sempai Rob James with Kancho Jim Casey at the NAS.

Sempai Rob James (2nd Dan Kyokushin) also competed in the NAS. He participated in the Open Black Belt and Veterans divisions.

Up against some very talented and skilled competitors, in the Open Black Belt division, Sempai Rob placed 4th. He performed the senior Kyokushin kata, Seienchin.

Sempai Rob participated in the NAS to inspire his Little Lions to do well in their own kata tournaments that are held at Aspley Dojo. “Seeing their Sempai compete in a kata tournament might inspire them in some small way.”