Sempai Rob James (2nd Dan), head instructor of Aspley Dojo, hosted a KIMAAKyokushin and Kobudo seminar in Brisbane on the weekend of November 8-9. Shihan Rick Cunningham (6th Dan Kyokushin, 5th Dan Kobudo) travelled up from Sydney to teach at the event. Sensei Mark McFadden and Patricia Tan came up from Lismore, and Will Brook from Byron Bay, to participate as well.
The class spent the Saturday afternoon practising basics, kumite drills, pressure points, self-defence applications and kata.
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On Sunday the group focused on Kobudo, learning new kata and applications with the Bo staff. The group enjoyed some outdoor training in the lovely weather.
Thanks again to Shihan Cunningham for teaching at the seminar and to Sempai Rob for hosting. These regular catch-ups between dojos are vital for sharing knowledge and increasing standards across all of KIMAA.
The Senior School began in the morning, with their grading going for several hours. Standout performances were by young James Tan, Zac Zibaee and Jay Stubbs. These boys are in fact Knox Prep students who, due to their skill and dedication to their training, graded with the older boys.
Senior School Grading Group
The Prep School students went next, and also performed well. Long-time student Hugh Graham led the pack, while beginner Mark Guvlekjian gave all those above him new standards to strive for in flexibility.
The Senior School grading results will be presented by Shihan Lipman at a BBQ Presentation and Demonstration morning at Knox on Saturday November 15 at 9am, instead of normal training. The BBQ will be held at the Lawson PE Centre at the Senior School.
The Prep School will have their final training session for the term on Friday November 14, and receive their results then.
KIMAA’s Knox instructors extend a happy holiday season to all of the Knox students and look forward to seeing them back next year.
Sempai Alex Lloyd (2nd Dan), Shihan Howard Lipman (8th Dan), Sempai Nick Cheng (1st Kyu)
On the Saturday, Shihan Cunningham walked students through applications from the Kyokushin Pinan katas. This was a great opportunity for the North Coast and Brisbane students to enrich their bunkai knowledge bank, particularly those who have not previously attended the seminars held in Sydney, like the August Bunkai & Tameshiwari Seminar.
After the Kobudo, the Little Lions did some Karate training followed by a lunch.
Thanks go to Shihan Cunningham for leading the weekend, and to Sensei Mark and Sensei Jon for hosting. Sempai Rob James will be returning the favour, hosting a seminar at Aspley Dojo in November.
Sensei Mark McFadden and Patricia Tan were placed First in the Creative Weapons division of the Queensland National All Styles Martial Arts Championships. Sensei Mark and Trish performed a combination of Kobudo exercises and kata, first Bo against Bo and then Bo against Sai.
In the Kata section, Trish placed Third in her division performing Seienchin kata. Wes did very well, coming fourth in his kata division.
Congratulations to all the participants, especially to Sensei Mark and Patricia for their success in the Creative Weapons division.
Sensei Mark McFadden hosted a fundraiser event for Blue September on Saturday September 27. The fundraiser was held at Lismore Dojo and participants came from a range of martial arts backgrounds.
The day included two hours of inter-style sparring and a BBQ.
All the martial artists involved got black and blue for Blue September and partook in the fundraising. Thanks to all who helped organise to make the day such a success.
A Kyokushin Karate grading was held on Saturday September 13 at Turramurra Dojo.
1st Row, L-R: Sempai Jon Ellis, Sempai Rob James, Sempai Alex Lloyd. 2nd Row, L-R: Sempai Todd Murphy, Jeremy Gray, Will Brook.
Shihan Howard Lipman assessed KIMAA students from Sydney, the NSW Far North Coast and Brisbane. A number of Little Lions and adults participated in the grading for kyu and dan (black belt) grades. The black belts who attempted the grading included:
Sempai Alex Lloyd (1st Dan Kyokushin): Sempai Alex is a student at Turramurra Dojo, Sydney, a former Knox Karate student and now instructor.
Sempai Todd Murphy (1st Dan Kyokushin): Sempai Todd is a student and instructor at Annangrove Dojo, Sydney.
Photos from the day
Kyokushin senior grading, September 2014
Sempai Alex
Jeremy
Sempai Rob
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Kata
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Fitness & Kumite (sparring)
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All attempting the grading performed to a high standard. Congratulations to everyone who participated. Special mention goes to the new black belt grades: Jon Ellis received his Sandan (3rd Dan) and the title of Sensei; while Rob James, Alex Lloyd and Todd Murphy were graded to Nidan (2nd Dan). Jeremy Gray fought an admirable 20 fights for his 1st Kyu (Senior Brown Belt) and Joshua Darley was graded to 2nd Kyu (Brown Belt). Will Brook also was graded to 2nd Kyu, despite having to attempt the grading with a broken hand!
James receives his Shodan in Kobudo from Shihan Lipman and Sensei Hokama, September 2012
Sempai James has gone to Okinawa twice to train in Karate and in Kobudo. He went in 2010 and 2013.
As Josh Darley is an inspiration to the kids, Sempai James is an inspiration to the adults with his dedication and discipline towards his training.
James has a genuine love of martial arts and has spent many more hours than most students in the pursuit of his Shodan and Nidan.
He has followed an intensive weight training routine under the guidance of Shihan Howard Lipman and Shihan Rick Cunningham, and runs in addition to the weights and general Karate training. His dedication towards his training has led him to have an in-depth understanding of kata, bunkai, and the development of Karate techniques. James is now in the phase of using his techniques in tournament fighting and I am sure he will eventually move from this to become one of Kyokushin’s better Senseis.
In May and August 2014, Sempai James represented KIMAA in State and National tournaments.
Sempai James, March 2011
Sempai James Campbell vs Sempai Jessica Den with the Bo, September 2012
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 