On the weekend of August 22-23, KIMAA Yudansha (black belt grades) came together to do senior Kobudo and Kyokushin training.
Sensei Mark McFadden
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.
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.
Seienchin kata
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
Everyone fought well against their opponents. Notable mentions go to James Parasyn and James Kosimar for their wins, including James Parasyn’s two jodan mawashi geri techniques that led him to victory in his first round.
Victor Sweeney came equal third in his division and powered through many rounds to win his trophy.
Congratulations to Victor, and all involved.
Shihan Howard Lipman, Victor Sweeney and Sensei James Sidwell.
Sensei Hokama (10th Dan) awarded new Dan (black belt) grades in Kobudo during the recent Okinawa tour. Sensei Hokama awarded these grades based on what he saw during training, as well as on the recommendation of Australian Kobudo Branch Chief, Shihan Howard Lipman (8th Dan Kyokushin, 7th Dan Kobudo).
The 2015 KIMAA Japan Tour Group after being graded by Sensei Hokama.
Training began on Saturday afternoon under the instruction of Shihan Rick Cunningham (6th Dan Kyokushin, 6th Dan Kobudo). Shihan Cunningham took the students through Kyokushin basics, focusing on the progression from initial basic training to practical use in kumite (sparring). This involved various partner work and light contact exercises.
Students were broken up into groups for Kobudo, focusing on the Bo and Sai. After this, everyone came back together for bag work and more contact drills.
The senior grades and visitors from the Far North Coast and Brisbane then went to Shihan Cunningham’s for dinner.
Sunday morning started at 9 am with a basics session led by Shihan Howard Lipman (8th Dan Kyokushin, 7th Dan Kobudo). The first session had an emphasis on technical precision, to check standards and ensure uniformity across the five KIMAA dojos. The class also practised Sanchin kata.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Everyone then rotated through partners for practising bunkai, including from the senior kata Seienchen.
After a lunch, prepared by Sensei Ian Holdaway (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 1st Dan Kobudo) and Shihan Cunningham’s wife, Kirsti, students again broke up into groups for Kobudo.
Patricia Tan receiving her 4th Kyu Kobudo certificate.
The final session had students break up into groups based on what they wanted to focus on. This included more Kobudo, Kyokushin kata and applying a choke.
At the end of the class, Patricia Tan received her certificate for 4th Kyu in Kobudo.
The KIMAA senior grades and other students extend their thanks to Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham for organising another successful seminar.
The next weekend seminar will be held in the second half of the year.
The following article continues the story of the 2015 KIMAA Group Tour to Japan. Click here to read Part 1 and click here to read Part 2.
We had no training on Monday, so we used the free time to enjoy doing a couple of Kyokushin photo shoots, following the paths of many martial artists before us. First, we did a shoot at Shurijo.
Sempai Alex Lloyd, Sensei Mark McFadden, Sensei Jon Ellis, Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sempai Don Cheong, Sempai James Campbell and Trish Tan at Shurijo, Okinawa
We then went to the old ruins of Nakagusuku and continued the shoot.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
On Tuesday morning, Sensei Hokama presented new Kobudo black belt grades, based on the Friday and Saturday sessions and on the recommendation of Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham. The new Kobudo grades included:
KIMAA tour group with Sensei Hokama and Shihan Ogura
Sensei was still feeling unwell so his visiting Branch Chief from Nagoya, Shihan Ken Ogura, took the class. Shihan Ogura was very impressed with the standard displayed by KIMAA and proclaimed the “Australian team” the best he had ever taught!
Shihan Ken Ogura with nunchaku
We had the afternoon off. Some of the group took Trish to the Chinese Gardens, where we enjoyed the tranquility of the grounds.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
That night it was back to Sensei’s dojo for our final training session. Sensei watched as Shihan Arakawa took the class. We did some fitness and conditioning, then some more traditional Okinawan training, including moving through Sanchin with jars and dumbbells. We then moved onto kata and bunkai.
Tuesday night class
The following day, Wednesday March 18, we were off to Hiroshima for the next stage of our trip.
We left Hiroshima on Friday but did a lot in our brief time there. This included taking a ferry to Miyajima to explore the island and climb to the peak of Mt Misen; visiting the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum; and seeing Hiroshima Castle. Sensei Mark had been to Hiroshima before and took up the mantle of KIMAA Tour Guide.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
After Hiroshima we made our way to Kyoto. We explored the markets on Friday afternoon and went to a green tea shop.
We started off Saturday with a traditional green tea ceremony, which was delicious and enjoyable.
We spent the rest of Saturday and Sunday exploring a range of beautiful shrines and temples. These included the streets surrounding Kiyomizu-dera (Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka) and the nearby Yasaka no To Pagoda; Kodai-ji; Kennin-ji; Heian Shrine; Nanzen-ji, Eikan-do Zenrin-ji; Ginkaku-ji and Kinkaku-ji. We also perambulated the Philosopher’s Walk, all the while admiring the local scenery.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
The cherry blossoms were just starting to come into bloom during our time in Kyoto.
On Monday the group went to Kurama and hiked through the mountains to Kibune, where it snowed as we finished the trek. We then made our way back to Kurama to relax in the outdoor Onsen while the snow fell.
Shihan Rick Cunningham in the sleet of Kibune
Tuesday was the group’s final day in Kyoto. They started with Sanjusangen-do Temple, featuring the Hall of 1001 Kannon Statues. The group split up for the rest of the day, until a final dinner that night: Shihan Lipman and Masumi shopped; Shihan Cunningham, Sensei Mark, Sensei Jon and Trish went back to Kiyomizu-dera and the surrounding streets, followed by watching an impressive archery demonstration at the Budo Centre; and Sempai Don, Sempai James and Sempai Alex shopped and enjoyed the food markets, and Sempai Alex also went to Nijo Castle.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
The group arrived safe and sound back in Sydney on the morning of Thursday March 26. The trip was a great success and very enjoyable, from Sempai Don and Sempai James competing at a high standard in the tournament; quality training with Sensei Hokama and Shihan Ogura; a number of new Kobudo black belt grades; and the sightseeing in Hiroshima and Kyoto.
Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham are now looking ahead to consolidate the knowledge gained on the trip and to pass it onto the wider KIMAA student body. Of particular note is the upcoming seminar in May.
The rest of the group thank Shihan Lipman, Masumi and Shihan Cunningham for a wonderful trip!
The following article continues the story of the 2015 KIMAA Group Tour to Japan. Click here to read Part 1.
The 22nd Okinawa Karate Tournament was held on March 15. This Kyokushin tournament was hosted by Shihan Yasuhiro Shichinohe (7th Dan Kyokushin). Shihan Howard Lipman’s friendship with Shihan Shichinohe goes back many years.
Sensei Jon and Sensei Mark with their fighters, James and Don.
Shihan Shichinohe gave the group the great honour of all having seats at the Officials Table.
Sempai James Campbell won his first round with great strength.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Sempai Don Cheong fought very well but unfortunately lost his fight.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Sempai James approached his second fight with the same intensity as his first. He won, making it to the Quarter Finals.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
As a Quarter Finalist, the local press interviewed Sempai James – with help from Masumi!
After a lunch break, it was time for the quarter finalists to perform Tameshiwari (“trial by breaking”, or board breaking). Four breaks (minimum three boards per break) had to be made using forefist, knife hand, elbow and heel. Sempai James was one of the few entrants to complete each break on the first attempt.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Sempai James’s Quarter Final round was hard-fought, but he lost the round. He finished in the top eight adult male competitors at the tournament.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
We congratulate both competitors on their excellent performance. They made their instructors and coaches very proud.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
We were invited to attend the Sayonara Party that night, where Sempai Don and Sempai James received further congratulations. Shihan Shichinohe expressed to James how impressed he was with his punch! We enjoyed socialising with old friends from Shihan Shichinohe’s dojo and new friends made on the day.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 