Category: Little Lions

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.

 

North Coast Grading – December 16, 2017

Sensei Mark McFadden and Sensei Jon Ellis held a combined Kyokushin grading for the students of Lismore and Ballina dojos.

The grading was for adults and Little Lions. “Great effort today from all who graded,” was the praise of Sensei Mark.

Thanks also go to Sempai Wally Gray, Sempai Patricia Tan, Sempai Will Brook and Wesley Snider for assistance with the grading, and to Sempai Trish, Larissa and Lauren for organising the catering.

After the grading, Students of the Year awards were handed out, followed by a Christmas party. Well done to all who participated in the grading, and the Students of the Year.

The karateka who graded with their instructors, 16 December 2017.

Queensland State Championships – October 15, 2017

Two Little Lions of Lismore and North Brisbane dojos competed in the Queensland National All Styles State Championships on Sunday October 15th.

Isaac of Lismore Dojo competed in the 5th Kyu to Black Belt division for his age group and placed fourth. He was coached on the day by Sensei Mark McFadden. Congratulations Isaac!

Sean of North Brisbane Dojo returned to the NAS, after having placed third in a previous round.

In the words of instructor Sensei Rob James, “As you can see, Sean’s focus, technique and his positive attitude are his strengths.” Well done, Sean!

KIMAA Shihan Ken Seminar – September 6-11, 2017

Shihan Ken Ogura (8th Dan) returned to Australia for his second seminar with Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia on the week of 6-11 September 2017.

Hanshi Howard Lipman & Shihan Ken Ogura.

Shihan Ken first met KIMAA senior grades during the 2015 Japan Group Tour, during training with Sensei Tetsuhiro Hokama (10th Dan). Shihan Ken then came to Australia in 2016 to teach a KIMAA seminar at the invitation of Hanshi Howard Lipman. Shihan Ken met KIMAA seniors again during the 2017 Japan Group Tour in Okinawa.

The seminar brought KIMAA students from all over the organisation. Guests from other Kyokushin dojos also attended, including Sensei David Craigie and his Young Dojo.

Wednesday night’s training was held at Turramurra Dojo. Shihan Ken took students through bunkai – the self-defence application of techniques and moves from kata. The kata focused on in particular were more of a junior level, to teach the foundation principles required for the weekend. Shihan Peter Olive dutifully resumed his duties from the previous year’s seminar, serving as the ‘crash test dummy’ that Shihan Ken would demonstrate the techniques, pressure points and take-downs on!

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On Thursday morning, a smaller, senior weapons class was held at Turramurra. Shihan Ken took Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sensei Paul Finnerty and Sempai Alex Lloyd through Kobudo, with particular focus on the Eeku.

Shihan Rick Cunningham, Shihan Ken Ogura, Sensei Paul Finnerty and Sempai Alex Lloyd, 7 September 2017.
Shihan Doug Turnbull training with Sensei Mark McFadden.

The class grew on Friday night, including Shihan Doug Turnbull (6th Dan) of Kyokushin International Karate Organisation. Shihan Doug has hosted many tournaments in which KIMAA students have competed, and has been part of Australian Kyokushin for decades. You can see Shihan Doug of KIKO with Hanshi John Taylor and Hanshi Howard Lipman in the committee photo in this article from our achieve series.

Those making the trip to Sydney for the weekend from KIMAA included Sensei Mark McFadden and Lismore Dojo students; Sensei Jon Ellis and Ballina Dojo students; and Sempai Rob James of North Brisbane and Nundah dojos.

Training continued along the same lines as Wednesday, but with some more advanced techniques and kata.

Shihan Rick Cunningham, Shihan Doug Turnbull, Shihan Peter Olive, Shihan Ken Ogura & Hanshi Howard Lipman.

After training, a group dinner was enjoyed at Noodle City in Gordon.

The Friday night class.

The seminar continued at 9 am sharp on Saturday 9th at Annangrove Dojo. Hanshi Howard formally introduced Shihan Ken to all the black belts, then led the group through a basics session.

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The students were then broken up into smaller groups for rotating classes that lasted throughout the day. One group would be inside with Shihan Ken, while the others trained outside. Shihan Ken took the seniors through a new Eeku kata, and other groups through further bunkai and kata work. The others rotated between kata with Shihan Peter Olive, technique and focus with Sensei Idir Bahamid, the Sai with Sensei Mark Shelmerdine and the Bo staff with Sempai Alex Lloyd.

Sensei Ian Holdaway on the BBQ
The KIMAA NSW Far North Coast crew with Shihan Ken Ogura.

At the end of a long but enjoyable day, Hanshi Howard Lipman announced a few Kyu grade promotions in Kobudo, and three black belt promotions in Kyokushin. Read more here about the promotions of Shihan Idir Bahamid, Sensei Mark McFadden and Sensei Rob James.

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Dinner for the out-of-Sydney guests and other seniors was held at Shihan Rick’s home. Thanks go to Shihan Rick Cunningham and his wife Kirsti for hosting Saturday’s dinner, and to Sensei Ian Holdaway for his lunch barbecuing efforts on both weekend days.

Group photo of the Saturday seminar class.
Sensei Don Cheong demonstrates Pinan Sono Go.

Training began early the next morning back at Annangrove Dojo. The day began with a session focusing on basics, movement, speed and power with Shihan Idir Bahamid. After this, the seminar split into smaller groups, with Shihan Peter Olive, Sensei Paul Finnerty, Sensei James Sidwell and Sensei Mark McFadden taking instructional duties for those not working with Shihan Ken. The black belts had intense kata sessions on both Saturday and Sunday with Shihan Peter, including kata demonstrations by Sensei Don Cheong.

Shihan Ken continued the same focus with the Kyu grades, while working with the black belts further on the Eeku kata, as well as Seipai and Saiha. Sensei Jon Ellis and Sensei Ben Ng took turns being the test dummies during the day.

The day ended with Hanshi Howard thanking those from out of Sydney for travelling, Shihan Rick for all his help with the organising and accommodation, and most of all Shihan Ken for coming to Australia again to instruct KIMAA students.

Hanshi Howard Lipman ended the day with some exciting news. After several days of intense training together, the students of KIMAA built a great rapport of those with Young Dojo, and Sensei David Craigie (3rd Dan) had a great time training with KIMAA’s black belts. It was announced on Sunday September 10 that Sensei David Craigie and Young Dojo are now a part of Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia, the seventh dojo of the organisation.

Sensei David & Hanshi Howard
Sensei David & Hanshi Howard
Young Dojo with Hanshi Howard & Shihan Rick

The final training session was back at Turramurra Dojo on the Monday night. This evening was spent consolidating the week’s worth of knowledge, with Sensei Ben acting as Shihan Ken’s demonstration partner for the evening. There was also a greater focus on pressure points and conditioning.

KIMAA is delighted to have an ongoing relationship with Shihan Ken Ogura, such a widely regarded martial artist who is also an excellent teacher and friend of the organisation. We look forward to future training with Shihan Ken.

Kyokushin Beach Grading – June 25, 2017

On Sunday June 25th, a Kyokushin Karate grading for students of Lismore Dojo was conducted by Sensei Mark McFadden.

Sempai Patricia Tan, Sensei Jon Ellis, Sempai Wally Gray & Sensei Mark McFadden.

The grading was held at Evans Head beach. Students of Ballina Dojo also attended for training alongside those who were attempting the grading from Lismore.

Senior Kyu grades took turns leading parts of the grading under the watchful eyes of Sensei Mark, Sensei Jon Ellis, Sempai Wally Gary and Sempai Patricia Tan.

The heavy soft, wet sand made stances and kicks especially tiring. Everyone did well and it was a fun, different yet satisfying challenge for the adults and Little Lions who participated.

Thanks go to all who helped, including Sempai Trish and Anthony for organising the food, the parents who drove their children out to Evans Head, and those who assembled the BBQ, and Yaco’s father for taking on the role of head snag cooker.

Group shot after the grading.

Brisbane Gradings – June 10, 2017

Two Kyokushin gradings were held in Queensland for KIMAA adults and Little Lions on Saturday June 10th.

The gradings were for students of North Brisbane Dojo and Nundah Dojo, both under the leadership of Sempai Rob James.

Sempai Rob was pleased with everybody’s efforts, including a new fourth kyu in the adults class. Thanks go to Jermaine Downs (senior student) for his assistance with the tests.

Sempai Rob remarked, “A solid effort from everybody! The level of knowledge, fitness and technical ability is impressive, as is their commitment.”

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Well done to all.