KIMAA had two competitors in the MKA National Tournament in Maroubra, Sydney, on August 2nd 2026.
Congratulations Michael and Nicholas for representing KIMAA in non-contact and padded contact divisions. Michael managed a hard fought Second Place in padded contact and competed strongly in the non contact. Well done Nicholas who achieved Fourth Place in non-contact.
The students were coached on the day by Shihan James Sidwell. A special thank you also goes to Masumi Lipman for her continuing support of KIMAA.
On Saturday 4th July 2026, KIMAA had eight competitors enter the Jin Sei Ryu National Benefit Tournament at Sydney University.
This annual benefit tournament raises money which it donates to charity, ensuring the karateka can participate in their chosen events knowing some of the proceeds raised by entering go to good causes.
Shihan James Sidwell and Masumi Lipman supported the team who competed at the highest level.
The team of 8 achieved 9 First places, 12 Second places and 3 Third places. An excellent result given the limited preparation time.
A special congratulations to Billy who not only entered his first ever full contact bout, but as a veteran Orange belt (9th Kyu) was victorious over a yellow belt then a green belt to win First Place. A fantastic achievement.
Results include:
Sempai Allan: 55+ years male black belt 2nd kata
Sophie 13-15 years female 1st Kata, 1st Noncontact freestyle, 1st Contact points, 1st Fun sword
Keshav 18-39 year males 3rd non contact freestyle
Christopher 10-12 males 1st kata, 3rd non contact points, 1st non contact freestyle, 2nd fun sword
Michael 10-12 years male 2nd kata. 2nd non contact points, 2nd non contact freestyle, 1st fun sword
Ellie 13-15 years female 2nd Kata, 2nd Contact Points, 2nd Full Contact
Billy 40- 54 year old 2nd kata, 1st non contact points, 2nd non contact freestyle, 1st full contact middleweight
Nicholas under 7 male 2nd kata, 2nd non contact points, 2nd non contact freestyle, 3rd fun sword.
Congratulations to all the competitors and thank you to the instructors who contributed to their success.
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.
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.Â
KIMAA karateka from Turramurra and Taree dojos competed in the KIKO tournament on Sunday. Numerous students placed in both the Kata and Points Sparring categories. Congratulations to all competitors for their robust budo spirit.
On Sunday March 15th 2026, Shihan James Sidwell, supported by Masumi Lipman, led a contingent of 7 competitors at the Kempo Ryu 30th anniversary karate championships from Turramurra Dojo. The event had a high quality turnout of competitors.
The KIMAA team participated in numerous events and competed at a high level. Competition events entered and the results are listed below after the photos.
Sempai Maia entered:
Kobudo Traditional Weapons – 14yrs & Above – All Grades – Male & Female (THIRD PLACE)
Traditional Forms – 16-17yrs – Advanced to Black (THIRD PLACE)
Traditional Forms – adults – Advanced to Black
Sempai Narmie entered:
Female full contact adults all grades (THIRD PLACE and most spirited fighter award)
Kobudo Traditional Weapons – 14yrs & Above – All Grades – Male & Female
Traditional Forms – veterans – Advanced to Black
Traditional Forms – adults – Advanced to Black
Nicholas entered:
Sparring Points – 7yrs & Under – All Grades – Male & Female
Sparring Freestyle – 7yrs & Under – All Grades – Male & Female (FIRST PLACE)
Traditional Forms – 7yrs & Under – All Grades – Male & Female
Michael entered:
Demonstrations – 13yrs & Under – All Grades – Male & Female
Traditional Forms – 8-10yrs – Advanced to Black Grade – Male & Female
Sparring Points – 8-10yrs – All Grades – Male & Female
Sparring Freestyle – 8-10yrs – All Grades – Male & Female
Full Contact – 9-10yrs – All Grades Male (THIRD PLACE)
Chris entered:
Demonstrations – 13yrs & Under – All Grades – Male & Female
Traditional Forms – 11-12yrs – Advanced to Black Grade – Male & Female
Sparring Points – 11-12yrs – Advanced to Black Grade – Male & Female
Sparring Freestyle – 11-12yrs – Advanced to Black Grade – Male & Female
Full Contact – 11-12yrs – All Grades Male
Chloe entered:
Traditional forms, 11-12yrs, Advanced to Black Grade, Male & Female.
Jonathon entered:
Kata 8-10yrs (White to Orange Belt, 10th to 6th Kyu)
Congratulations to the KIMAA team for being highly competitive against many other styles with high quality participants.
All the work you put in to compete at this event has ensured you have all improved and are able to match it and succeed in many instances against your peers.
A special congratulations to Sempai Narmie who was awarded the most spirited fighter trophy.
It was a good day with a slight hiccup at the beginning with the car park being closed due to another event being held early in the morning. However, once we got parked and ready the KIMAA team got settled and ready to compete.
The event had several dojos and many competitors. The largest event had 20 participants which meant the draws went deep.
Overall KIMAA competed strongly and supported one another with true Budo spirit.
KIMAA competitors achieved five first places, five second places and five third places. An excellent outcome.
Special mention to Sempai Narmie Thambipillay, who won Most Spirited Adult Fighter along with a nice big trophy.
Also congratulations to Sophie Shi who entered the Colts Full Contact despite her division being 13-15 under 60kg padded. Nevertheless, Sophie fought full contact and won with her relentless pace.
Maliha also won a double 1st competing well and winning the mixed division for freestyle.
Well done to all.
Results are below:
Semi Contact freestyle sparring
8-10 Mixed (This was the largest division of the day with 20 competitors)
– Michael Paunescu fought well to the finals and finished fourth
– Liam Bowen fought competitively although he didn’t place
11-12 Mixed (This division had 13 competitors overall)
– Maliha Azeem Placed 1st
– Chris Paunescu 2nd Place
– Talitha Ferguson (4th) and Theodore Gray fought well but did not place
13-15 Males
Jameson Smith placed 3rd
13-15 Females
Sophie Shi 1st Place
CJ Shelmerdine (4th) fought competitively but did not place
16 and Over Males
Peter Madigan place 2nd
16 and Over Females
Narmie Thambipillay 3rd
Padded contact
8-10 under 30kg Males
– Michael Paunescu 1st Place
– Liam Bowen placed 3rd
8-10 over 30kg Males
– Lochlan Easton fought well but did not place
11-14 under 50kg Female
– Maliha Azeem place 1st
– Talitha Ferguson place 2nd
11-12 under 50kg Male
– Chris Paunescu and Theodore Gray competed well but did not place.
Over the weekend of 18-20 July 2025, the annual KIMAA seminar was held for a weekend of quality learning in the martial arts. This year it was hosted by Taree Dojo, at the nearby town of Harrington. For the weekend, KIMAA hired the house at Riverlodge at Harrington Waters. Instructors and students of Turramurra and Taree dojos gathered for a weekend of training together.
On the Friday night, Sensei Ben Ng led an evening class focusing on Kyokushin Karate basics, moving in stance and some bunkai relating to basic block forms.
The next morning, Sensei Ben led a 7am run along the shoreline to the marina and back.
Training resumed at 9.30am. The first part of the class focused on renraku (ippon kumite), led by Shihan James Sidwell. The rest of the morning focused on Kobudo, led by Renshi Mark Shelmerdine. The group practised the Bo staff.
After breaking for lunch, training resumed. Shihan James led a kata class. The group practised Pinan sono Ni, with an extensive breakdown of bunkai (self-defence applications) pulled out from the pattern.
Masumi Lipman attended the seminar to oversee the running of the weekend, take training photos, walk the dogs and be Group Mum. We thank Masumi for her ongoing support of and involvement with KIMAA.
When afternoon training was complete, the group broke for free time and enjoyed dinner at the adjacent tavern.
A portion of the group left after breakfast due to family and other commitments for the Sunday. The group recovered over breakfast, then regathered for the final training session of the day. Sensei Mark Long led a fight training class, going through fighting basics, combinations and then kumite (sparring). Shihan Mark Shelmerdine also showed some fight drills and pressure points.
After many rounds of Kumite, the group packed up then broke for lunch.
Special thanks go to Shihan James and Sensei Mark for organising the weekend. With the exception of Saturday night dinner, all catering was managed by Sensei Mark’s partner Ken and their friends. We’re grateful for all the assistance in feeding us over the weekend, and for the support of parents who came along with their Little Lions students.
