The training included fitness and basic training on the sand and in the waves, and kumite in the waves, finishing with some water wheel kicks.
Thanks to Masumi for the photography, Sensei Mark’s partner Ken for his support, and for the parents who came to watch, cheer and dry off some damp young karateka after the surf kumite.
On Sunday November 10th, KIMAA attended the KIKO tournament held in Tempe, Sydney.
23 competitors competed with spirit and humility. Results are detailed at the end of this article. However I’d like to thank each and every competitor for the training and effort you have put in. You all fought very well and represented yourselves and KIMAA admirably. Of the KIMAA contingent, 19 competitors were kids of various ages and grades (many competing in their first kumite tournament), and 4 adults: Sensei Alireza Miri, Sensei Mark Long, Sempai Matt Wolnizer and Trent Lim.
Thank you also to the parents who have supported and encouraged their children to compete.
Thank you to Sensei Ben Ng, Sensei Alex Lloyd and Sensei Mark Long for coaching and running the mats, supporting the team, and helping organise the competitors. Further thanks to Sempai Matt Wolnizer and Trent Lim for backing up the coaches. And of course Laura Elia who interfaced with the mat coaches and supported the entire team.
Thank you to the senior instructors who worked to provide coaching and support for the team and supporting during training sessions as well as on the day. This includes Sensei Don Cheong, who has been a regular teacher at the kids classes but was unfortunately unable to attend on the day. (During the course of the tournament, Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James were on the Officials table.)
Additionally thank you to Kancho Doug Turnbull and the KIKO team for hosting the event and all the planning and organising on the day and behind the scenes.
Results from the 23 entrants include:
9 competed in Third Place showdowns, winning Third Place in 6 divisions
8 competed in Finals with 2 First Places and 6 Second Places
2 division clean sweeps winning First, Second and Third places
This included a clean sweep in the Veterans (40+) division, with Sensei Alireza taking 1st place, Sensei Mark Long taking 2nd place and Sempai Matt taking 3rd, after some battering rounds facing off each other!
Congratulations to all participants we support and share in each others success. Osu.
Sensei Mark Long greatly enjoyed hosting the two senior instructors from KIMAA Honbu to run their students through basics, kata and fight training over the course of the weekend.
The training involved kihon, fitness, kumite and kata, all immersed in the waves of Freshwater Beach. The session was captured photographically by GM Photographics.
You can read more about the passing of Hanshi Howard Lipman here and about recent changes to the KIMAA leadership here.
~ANNOUNCEMENT~ Following the passing of Hanshi Howard Lipman, KIMAA Founder & Chairman, Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia (KIMAA) was transferred to Shihan James Sidwell by Hanshi’s widow Masumi Lipman, as per the wishes of her late husband.
Shihan James, the new KIMAA Chairman, immediately created an Executive Leadership Board, and appointed Shihan Idir Bahamid and Shihan Mark Shelmerdine as Executive Board Members.
On Friday April 12th, 2024, the first Kyokushin Karate grading was conducted for students of Taree Dojo.
Dojo Operator Sensei Mark Long was most pleased with the students’ efforts. The grading participants were all from the Kids class, and demonstrated various skills including:
Warm-ups
Uniform management – belt tying and uniform folding
Kyokushin – meaning, dojo etiquette and procedures
Technique – stances, punches, blocks, kicks and movement
Kata – the first two Kyokushin kata.
The stuedents were 9 and 10 years old. Sensei Mark was delighted with their efforts and attitude throughout the grading. Their focus and energy levels remained high throughout the 2-hour grading. Well done to all.
The grading covered all the usual key points – kihon, kata, fitness and kumite. Basics were covered extensively, as well as partner work, combinations, ido geiko and senior techniques. Kata of all level were performed by those attempting new grades.
The karateka from Lismore – Evelyn, Annabelle, Letitia and James – showed great spirit in their fights, including up to 15 bouts for Evelyn and Annabelle, who were grading for 2nd Kyu (Brown Belt).
Congratulations to all those who graded. In addition to several Kyu grades, three new Black Belt grades were awarded:
At the end of the grading, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine presented Hanshi Howard Lipman and his wife Masumi a photobook of the 2023 Japan trip, as a group thank-you gift for the tour. Afterwards, Hanshi presented Shihan Idir, Shihan Mark McFadden and Sensei Alex their new grades.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 