Category: Little Lions

North Coast End-of-Year Sessions – December 2021

Karate students of Lismore and Ballina dojos joined forces on Sunday December 12 for beach training. The weather was a bit overcast but the water was warm as the students pushed through their end-of-year training session.

After the beach training session, the end-of-year awards were given out by Sensei Mark McFadden and Sensei Jon Ellis. The Little Lions of the Year were Isaac from Lismore and Allan from Ballina, and the Adult Student of the Year was Seb from Lismore Dojo.

On Tuesday December 14, Lismore Dojo held gradings for the Little Lions and Adult classes. Congratulations to all students who achieved new grades.

Kyokushin Grading – June 19, 2021

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.

KIKO Kata Tournament – May 16, 2021

Students from Hanshi Howard Lipman‘s Kyokushin Turramurra Dojo entered the KIKO Kata Tournament on Sunday May 16th.

All students who entered the competition placed or won their division.

These included a team kata demonstration of Tsuki No by Maia Brown, Ethan Kuo and Ryan Kuo, who won their division.

Maia also won her individual division, for Pinan Sono Yon.

Sempai Tony Kuo won his division with his demonstration of Seienchin.

Aaron Goh won his division, Peter Tsu placed in his division and Yue Leong Chia placed in his division.

In his division, Ethan Kuo came second.

And in his division, Ethan’s brother Ryan came first.

Congratulations to all for participating, and showcasing strong Kyokushin Karate kata in the tradition of Sosai Mas Oyama. They were coached by Hanshi Howard, Shihan Idir Bahamid and Shihan James Sidwell on the day.

National All Styles (Round 4) – August 4, 2019

Students from Lismore Dojo competed Round 4 of the National All Styles on Sunday August 4th.

Harry, Corey and Akayla all competed, coached by Sensei Mark McFadden, Sempai Wally Gray and Sempai Patricia Tan. Little Lion karateka Akayla took third place in point sparring.

Congratulations to all for their efforts and Akayla for her placement.

North Coast KIMAA Seminar – June 15-16, 2019

The KIMAA Far North Coast NSW dojos at Ballina and Lismore hosted a winter seminar. The guest instructor for the weekend was Shihan Rick Cunningham from Sydney.

On Saturday June 15th, the seminar was at Ballina. The focus of the day was Kyokushin Karate, in particular self-defence applications and kata bunkai.

The seminar continued on the Sunday at Lismore Dojo, and included a special Little Lions class.

A Kobudo session for beginners and experienced students alike was also held on the Sunday.

Thanks go to all seniors for assisting, Sensei Mark McFadden and Sensei Jon Ellis for hosting, and to Shihan Rick Cunningham for making the trip.

Shihan Rick Cunningham with the Little Lions at the North Coast KIMAA Seminar 2019.

Senior Grading – December 8, 2018

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.

Jermaine Downs arriving at Turramurra Dojo, from Brisbane, ahead of 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.

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Hearty efforts were put in by all students. Congratulations to all the senior kyu grades. Special recognition goes to the Yudansha:

  • Sempai Joshua Darley, Nidan
  • Sempai Stephen Runge, Shodan
  • Sempai Jermaine Downs, Shodan
  • Sempai Bernard Wilson, Shodan
  • Sempai Cody Choi, Shodan

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Sempai Jermaine Downs and Hanshi Howard Lipman after the grading.

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 Darley during the grading.

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.

Hanshi Howard Lipman, Sempai Cody Choi, Sempai Josh Darley, Sempai Bernard Wilson, Sempai Jermaine Downs & Sempai Stephen Runge

Congratulations to all who participated in the grading – a strong, fine way to end the year.

Little Lions in NAS – July 22, 2018

Students of Lismore Dojo competed in Round 3 of the National All Styles tournament in Queensland, on July 22, 2018.

Sensei Mark, Sempai Wally and Sempai Trish with their students.

The Little Lions were under the mentorship of head instructor Sensei Mark McFadden, as well as Sempai Wally Gray and Sempai Patricia Tan.

In the girls divisions, Evie, Olivia and Akayla competed, with Akayla winning an encouragement award for her first competition in point sparring.

In the boys, Isaac and Clayton both displayed a great effort in the Kata and Continuous Sparring divisions.

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Congratulations to all our young KIMAA competitors.