A Kyokushin Karate grading was held for senior adult kyu grade students at Turramurra Dojo on Saturday June 19th. Hanshi Howard Lipman assessed the students of Turramurra and Annangrove dojos attempting the grading, which was taken by Sensei Ben Ng.
The quality of technique, level fitness and spirit on display were all of a high standard. Congratulations to all students who attempted the grading.
Hanshi Howard Lipman, Shihan Rick Cunningham and Shihan Idir Bahamid assessed those attempting the grading, while Shihan Peter Olive, Sensei Jon Ellis, Sempai Jason Lambe and Sempai Josh Darley led various components of the grading test. During the grading was a Kobudo demonstration by Sensei Mark Shelmerdine (Bo), Sensei James Sidwell (Eku), Sensei Alex Lloyd (Sai) and Sempai Patricia Tan (Bo).
It was a memorable, long afternoon of fights. All the kids did their fights first…
… followed by the adults.
2020 has been a year of surprises, challenges and recalibration of goals for us all. After getting back into in-Dojo training post-lockdown, it was a great pleasure for Kyokushin gradings for both Kids and Adult Junior Kyu grades to take place on Wednesday September 23rd at Turramurra Dojo.
Hanshi Howard Lipman assessed students while Sensei Mark Shelmerdine and Sensei James Sidwell conducted the gradings. Across both classes, twelve students were tested for new grades. The Sydney students enjoyed participating in contact activities, as per NSW Health guidelines, during the grading.
Congratulations to all who participated. The senior grading for the year will be held in December.
Written by Sensei James Sidwell
The KIMAA Kyokushin Karate senior grading was in held in Sydney’s Turramurra Dojo on Saturday 29th June. It was a gruelling five hour session run by Hanshi Howard Lipman.
Congratulations to Ben Brady from Ballina Dojo, who successfully completed his Shodan grade!
Tony Kuo from Turramurra Dojo, and Eric Wright and Jurgen Bradatsch from Annangrove Dojo completed their 1st kyu grades.
Nalin and Nevin Alwis from Annangrove, Larissa Watson, Blayne Gale and Lauren King from Ballina, and Sean Stevens from Young Dojo also graded.
A special mention to kids Peter Zhu and Yue Leon Chia from Turramurra who participated in the senior grading, and performed with discipline and focus during the entire 5 hours.
Congratulations to all participants! Osu.
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The following day, Kobudo practitioners from Sydney and Young trained together at Annangrove Dojo in a class taken by Shihan Rick Cunningham. Sensei David Craigie from Young remarked, “Thanks everyone for your patience and instruction once again, we always enjoy our morning Kobudo with all.”
On Sunday May 5th 2019, a Kobudo grading was held at Annangrove Dojo.
Hanshi Howard Lipman awarded two new grades:
Congratulations to Sensei Ben (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 1st Dan Kobudo) and Sempai Stephen Runge (1st Dan Kyokushin, 2nd Kyu Kobudo).
Special mention also goes to Sensei James Sidwell for breaking his Eku during the grading, in a display of raw power and great technique.
Osu!
The second senior Kyokushin grading of 2018 was held at KIMAA‘s Honbu, Turramurra Dojo. Hanshi Howard Lipman assessed the students while Shihan Peter Olive conducted the grading.
Participants came from Turramurra, Annangrove Dojo, Young Dojo and Brisbane Dojo. Sensei David Craigie and Sensei Rob James shepherded their students from afar, and Sensei Mark McFadden and Sempai Patricia Tan of Lismore Dojo also came down to support those attempting new grades.
Four students were attempted their 1st Dan Black Belt, which led of course to the world-renowned Kyokushin 40 fights.
Hearty efforts were put in by all students. Congratulations to all the senior kyu grades. Special recognition goes to the Yudansha:
Sempai Jermaine is a hard-working, strong, diligent student from Brisbane Dojo. He is the first to reach Shodan from Brisbane, under the tutelage of Sensei Rob James. Sempai Jermaine has balanced his Kyokushin training with work and family commitments, but always attended seminars when he is able, and has been a strong deputy to Sensei Rob. He is a highly a capable fighter, budding instructor and good martial artist, with a bright future ahead of him. Congratulations Sempai Jermaine, and Sensei Rob on bringing your first student to back belt.
Sempai Cody is one of a crop of promising young KIMAA karateka who have, after years of dedicated training under Hanshi Howard and Sensei James Sidwell, persisted and worked in the adult General Classes towards the goal of Shodan. He has previously competed in tournaments.
Sempai Bernard also has much tournament experience and trained with increasing intensity over the years, becoming a strong young man with many years of excellent Karate ahead of him.
Sempai Stephen has been training at Turramurra Dojo for a long time, despite persistent injuries. His dedicated attitude to training despite obstacles has not gone unnoticed. He has also become a regular assistant instructor in the Kids classes and to newcomers in the General classes. He is an invaluable presence at the dojo, and a good Karate man.
Sempai Josh began his Karate training in 2012 and has been an impressive young personality at Turramurra Dojo since the beginning. He has fought in tournaments, trained with Shihan Ken Ogura, done tameshiwari and regularly pushed himself to the next level of technical excellence. He has applied himself diligently in his training to Nidan, as he did for Shodan. While it is rare for one so young to be a Nidan, he has certainly earned the grade in the eyes of the seniors.
That night, everyone celebrated with the Turramurra Christmas Party – with all those out-of-town and grading invited along, of course.
Congratulations to all who participated in the grading – a strong, fine way to end the year.
Ballina Dojo now has a new home – St Francis Xavier School Hall.
Training at the new location began on Monday August 20th with dojo operator Sensei Jon Ellis. A grading was held there for junior grades soon after moving in.
The new space is an expansive upgrade, greatly needed due to the increasing class sizes in Ballina.
The address and new timetable are listed below. If you’re not sure what class you should attend, please contact Sensei Jon at the number below.
Head Instructor: Sensei Jon Ellis – 3rd Dan Kyokushin & 3rd Dan Kobudo
Address: St Francis Xavier School Hall, Cherry & Crane Streets, Ballina 2478 NSW.
Contact No.: 0404 862 624
Email: ellisj7@gmail.com
Facebook (Kyokushin): Ballina Dojo (Facebook)
Facebook (Kyokushin Little Lions): Ballina Dojo Little Lions (Facebook)
Facebook (Kobudo): Hokama Kobudo – North Coast Dojos (Facebook)
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