Category: Gradings

Kyokushin Senior Grading – June 20, 2026

Following the presentation of senior Dan grades, the Kyokushin Senior Grading commenced for green and brown belt karateka attempting their next belt level. Four students partook in the grading, with others training alongside or turning up for the kumite at the end. All students did very well.

Students were assessed by Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan James Sidwell and Shihan Mark Shelmerdine while Sensei Ben Ng conducted the grading.

Special recognition goes to Peter Zhu, who was promoted to Shodan-Ho. Shodan-Ho is regarded as a provisional or apprentice black belt rank, a black belt level without a Dan grade.

In previous years, three exceptional students attempted their Shodan (1st Dan) grading while under the age of 16, which included the 40 fights. (Notably, Sensei Josh Darley redid his 40 fights as an adult in his 3rd Dan grading.) However, most underage karateka cannot reasonably be expected to handle the full rigours of a 1st Dan Kyokushin grading without compromising the legitimacy of the rank. In recognition of this, the KIMAA Board decided to reintroduce the grade of Shodan-Ho for younger karateka to be able to attempt if they have held 1st Kyu for a sufficiently long time, but are not quite old enough to attempt 1st Dan.

Peter now holds the grade of Shodan-Ho.  Peter is the first student of KIMAA to successfully complete the Shodan-Ho grading. He completed 20 fights at a high level and otherwise met all the technique and kata requirements for regular Shodan. He will be eligible to attempt his 1st Dan Shodan Black Belt grading in 18 months. Our congratulations go to Peter as he has laid out the path forward for future karateka who start training at a very young age. 

KIMAA Leadership Announcement – June 20, 2026

Shihan James Sidwell and Shihan Mark Shelmerdine have been graded to 6th Dan in Kyokushin Karate.

At the June 2026 Senior Grading in Turramurra Dojo, Shihan Idir Bahamid (KIMAA Executive Board Member, 6th Dan Kyokushin, 5th Dan Shotokan, 1st Dan Kobudo) presented the grades. He spoke about Shihan James and Shihan Mark’s long involvement with Kyokushin, and their dedication to and leadership of Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia (KIMAA).

Shihan James Sidwell (6th Dan Kyokushin, 5th Dan Kobudo, Honorary 5th Dan Goju-Ryu) began studying martial arts in 1981, Kyokushin in 1993 and then commenced training under Hanshi Howard Lipman (9th Dan) in 1994. He was previously graded by Hanshi to 1st Dan in 2004, 2nd Dan in 2006, 3rd Dan in 2009, 4th Dan in 2013 and 5th Dan in 2020. His non-Kyokushin grades were awarded by Sensei Hokama (10th Dan) in Okinawa in 2023. Shihan James became a KIMAA Vice-Chairman in 2023, then the KIMAA Chairman in July 2024, after the passing of Founding Chairman Hanshi Howard.

Shihan Mark Shelmerdine (6th Dan Kyokushin, 6th Dan Kobudo, Honorary 6th Dan Goju-Ryu) began training under Hanshi Howard Lipman (9th Dan Kyokushin) in 1986. He was previously graded by Hanshi to 1st Dan in 2002, 2nd Dan in 2004, 3rd Dan in 2008, 4th Dan in 2013 and 5th Dan in 2020. His non-Kyokushin grades were awarded by Sensei Hokama (10th Dan) in Okinawa in 2023. Shihan Mark became the KIMAA Kobudo Head Instructor and a KIMAA Vice-Chairman in 2023, and then in July 2024 continuing the former role and the latter acceding to Executive Board Member.

The other instructors and all students of KIMAA thank Shihan James and Shihan Mark for their many years of teaching and mentorship, and especially their leadership following the passing of Hanshi Howard Lipman. His legacy continues. Osu.

Senior Kyu Grading – December 11, 2025

Four teenage karateka attempted a Kyokushin senior kyu grading for green and brown belt levels at Turramurra Dojo on Sunday December 11th.

Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James Sidwell assessed students. The grading was conducted by Sensei Ben Ng and supported by Sensei Alex Lloyd and Sempai Maia Brown.

Results will be announced at the dojo in the coming week. Well done to all for their efforts.

Kyokushin Senior Grading – June 21, 2025

Kyokushin Karate students of KIMAA Turramurra and Taree dojos attempted a 5.5-hour Senior Grading at the KIMAA Honbu (Turramurra) on Saturday June 21st 2025. Many younger karateka attempted 4th Kyu (Green Belt) while two adult students – Sempai Josh Darley and Trent Lim – attempted their black belt grades.

The students were assessed by Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James Sidwell. The grading was run with support from other senior black belts, including Sensei Ben Ng, Sensei Don Cheong, Sensei Alireza Miri and Sensei Alex Lloyd.

The grading’s first section focused on the usual elements, comprising a warm-up, basics and moving through stance.

Next, the students were assessed on their technical ability through their kata demonstrations.

Following an extensive kata display, especially for Sempai Josh Darley, the grading moved on to one-step kumite, then the general fitness section.

Finally, the long part of the day commenced. The 40 fights for 1st Dan Black Belt. The ‘Kyokushin 40 fights’ are legendary. Both Josh and Trent completed their 40 one-and-a-half minute full-contact fights. Josh had done the 40 during his 1st Dan grading in 2016. He achieved a rare feat of grading to black belt while being under 18 years old. As he graded when he was 12 years of age, he did the 40 fights again for his 3rd Dan grading to be tested as an adult. Trent did the 40 fights as a routine part of his 1st Dan grading.

All students were thoroughly tested, repeatedly sparring against black belts senior to them, junior black belts including Sempai Maia Brown and Sempai Narmie Thambipillay, and a few fights with juniors being tested on the day. The young men were pushed to their limits and excelled in the face of adversity.

Congratulations to all who attempted the grading, especially our newest Yudansha:

“Congratulations to all who graded. Especially to Sensei Josh Darley on his 3rd Dan grading and Sempai Trent Lim on shodan. Both who completed 40 consecutive full contact fights at 1.5 minutes each. Osu.” – Shihan James Sidwell

Turramurra Gradings – December 4-15, 2024

Over a two-week period, four gradings were held at KIMAA Turramurra Dojo.

On Wednesday December 4, Turramurra Dojo held Kyokushin Karate gradings for Kids and Junior Kyu teens and adults.

The Kids Grading overseen by Shihan James Sidwell and Sempai Maia Brown.

The Junior Kyu Grading was run by Shihan Mark Shelmerdine, Shihan James and Sempai Maia. Thanks go to all who came to support including black belts Sensei Ben Ng and Sempai Adam.

On Saturday December 7, the KIMAA Senior Grading was held with four students of Turramurra Dojo participating.

The students were assessed by Shihan Idir Bahamid and Shihan James. The grading was run by Sensei Ben, Sensei Don Cheong and Sensei Alex Lloyd, with further support provided by Sempai Maia and Sempai Narmie Thambipillay.

The students pushing through and showing great Kyokushin spirit despite the humidity. Congratulations to all on their efforts, displaying exemplary kihon, kata and kumite.

On Sunday December 15, Sempai Maia Brown undertook her first Kobudo grading. Sempai Maia graded to Shodan (1st Dan) in Kyokushin Karate in June, after which she immediately began her study of International Hokama Kobudo.

Sempai Maia was assessed by Kobudo instructors Renshi Mark Shelmerdine, Shihan James Sidwell, Shihan Alex Lloyd and Sensei Ben Ng.

Results from all the gradings will be announced at the dojo in the coming weeks. Well done to all.

Senior Grading – June 22, 2024

KIMAA held our June Kyokushin senior grading at Turramurra Honbu Dojo. Instructors and students from Turramurra Dojo, Lismore Dojo and Taree Dojo attended.

The four Shihans of KIMAA – Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine, Shihan James Sidwell and Shihan Mark McFadden – assessed the participating karateka. The grading lasted over 5 hours, testing students on their basics, kata, fitness, knowledge and kumite.

At the end of the grading, Sempai Maia Brown and Sempai Narmie Thambipillay were graded to 1st Dan (Shodan) in Kyokushin Karate. Sempai Maia completed her 40 fights for black belt, after many years of devoted training and teaching with KIMAA. Sempai Narmie was already a Shodan in Kyokushin, but after an extended absence from karate, she wanted to ‘start over’ and began training at KIMAA a few years ago as a white belt and has since raced up through the grades.

Congratulations to all who completed the grading. Some of the instructors and students enjoyed a celebratory dinner afterward at Hanuman Thai.

Knox Gradings – June 15, 2024

The students of the Knox Karate sports program, from Knox Grammar Senior and Preparatory Schools, participated in Kyokushin Karate gradings on Saturday June 15th.

Knox Karate coaches Sensei Mario Bonetta, Sempai Angus Sweeney and Sempai Trent Lim ran the grading, with assistance from Sensei Alex Lloyd. KIMAA Vice-Chairman Shihan James Sidwell assessed the students and oversaw proceedings.

The combined junior and senior classes of the high school completed a 2.5-hour grading and the prep school class completed a 1.5-hour grading. The students displayed enthusiasm and determination during the morning.

Hanshi Howard Lipman will review Shihan James’s marking and results will be made available through class in due course. Well done to all for their efforts.