On the weekend of June 7-8, 2025, Taree Dojo represented KIMAA at the Gold Coast Budo Challenge.
Over the course of the weekend, Sensei Mark Long accompanied his student Jameson Smith to compete in the kata component of the tournament on the Saturday, and the kumite on the Sunday.
On Saturday, Jameson achieved First Place in the 13-15 years old Intermediate Kata division, performing the Gekusai Sho kata. On Sunday, he also made First Place in the 50kg and under in 12-13 years old Intermediate Full Contact fighting division.
Congratulations to Jameson for doing KIMAA and Taree Dojo proud. Jameson drives from Port Macquarie to Taree regularly for training, wonderfully supported by his parents Donna and Garrod.
On Sunday June 1st, KIMAA had 20 students compete at the Kancho Doug Tunbull’s KIKO tournament in Tempe from our Turramurra and Taree dojos.
All competitors participated with focus and precision. They were supported on the day by Shihan James Sidwell, Sensei Mark Long, Masumi Lipman and parents of the younger students.
Of the 20, KIMAA achieved the following results:
1st & 2nd Place 7-9yrs Junior Kata
3rd Place 8-9yrs Point Sparring
1st Place 10-12yrs Beginner Kata
2nd Place 10-12yrs Junior Kata
1st & 2nd Place 10-12yrs Advanced Kata
1st & 3rd Place 10-12yrs Point Sparring
1st Place 13-15yrs Beginner kata
1st & 3rd Place 13-15yrs Advanced kata
3rd Place 13-15yrs Point Sparring
1st Place Open Advanced Weapons Kata
3rd Place Adult Beginner Kata
3rd Place Adult Advanced Kata
Congratulations to all the participants, the instructors, parents and families who have worked hard to enable such a great result.
We all contribute to, and share in, each other’s success.
A contingent of 8 KIMAA competitors (7 from Turramurra Dojo, 1 from Taree Dojo) entered the MKA State Tournament. All students represented their dojo admirably and displayed strong Kyokushin spirit. We had 3 students achieve 2nd Place in their division.
Special mention also goes to Oliver Roach for his tournament debut. Oliver is a 9th Kyu that fought a Shodan in Male 16-17 Full Contact and held his own in the fight, even though he copped a few strikes and elbow to the face and throat along the way.
The training included fitness and basic training on the sand and in the waves, and kumite in the waves, finishing with some water wheel kicks.
Thanks to Masumi for the photography, Sensei Mark’s partner Ken for his support, and for the parents who came to watch, cheer and dry off some damp young karateka after the surf kumite.
On Sunday March 16th, a contingent from KIMAA’s Turramurra Dojo attended the Kempo Ryu All Australia Championships.
Shihan James Sidwell and Masumi Lipman representing KIMAA with 6 students entering kata competitions.
Due to the summer break and an early year trip to Japan, Shihan James was only able to run several extra Saturday classes for the small contingent of participants. The competitors were supported by the instructors during class time as well as training diligently during the available Saturday classes.
On the day, the students all competed exceptionally well. Their performances executed the posture, technique, timing and kime (focus) expected to demonstrate understanding of the kata.
Sempai Maia Brown, Peter Zhu, Sophie Shi, Chloe Le Bescont, Sophie Chan and Ken Quang competed with spirit and focus. Out of six competitors KIMAA, achieved First, Second and Third placements. Osu.
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.
On Sunday November 10th, KIMAA attended the KIKO tournament held in Tempe, Sydney.
23 competitors competed with spirit and humility. Results are detailed at the end of this article. However I’d like to thank each and every competitor for the training and effort you have put in. You all fought very well and represented yourselves and KIMAA admirably. Of the KIMAA contingent, 19 competitors were kids of various ages and grades (many competing in their first kumite tournament), and 4 adults: Sensei Alireza Miri, Sensei Mark Long, Sempai Matt Wolnizer and Trent Lim.
Thank you also to the parents who have supported and encouraged their children to compete.
Thank you to Sensei Ben Ng, Sensei Alex Lloyd and Sensei Mark Long for coaching and running the mats, supporting the team, and helping organise the competitors. Further thanks to Sempai Matt Wolnizer and Trent Lim for backing up the coaches. And of course Laura Elia who interfaced with the mat coaches and supported the entire team.
Thank you to the senior instructors who worked to provide coaching and support for the team and supporting during training sessions as well as on the day. This includes Sensei Don Cheong, who has been a regular teacher at the kids classes but was unfortunately unable to attend on the day. (During the course of the tournament, Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James were on the Officials table.)
Additionally thank you to Kancho Doug Turnbull and the KIKO team for hosting the event and all the planning and organising on the day and behind the scenes.
Results from the 23 entrants include:
9 competed in Third Place showdowns, winning Third Place in 6 divisions
8 competed in Finals with 2 First Places and 6 Second Places
2 division clean sweeps winning First, Second and Third places
This included a clean sweep in the Veterans (40+) division, with Sensei Alireza taking 1st place, Sensei Mark Long taking 2nd place and Sempai Matt taking 3rd, after some battering rounds facing off each other!
Congratulations to all participants we support and share in each others success. Osu.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 