Category: Little Lions

Written by Shihan Howard Lipman (8th Dan Kyokushin, 7th Dan Kobudo) 

On the weekend of November 28-29, my wife Masumi and I travelled to Brisbane for me to conduct a seminar at Sempai Rob James’s (2nd Dan Kyokushin) dojo in Aspley. There were 15 kids and 12 adults in attendance over the course of the weekend.

Sempai Rob and Shihan Lipman lead the class.

Aspley Dojo Little Lions with Shihan Lipman.

On Saturday afternoon the first class was for the kids who were initially a little apprehensive, however they were soon made to feel at ease and settled down to enjoy their class. I was most impressed with their level of knowledge and attitude towards training. The class consisted of Kihon, Ido Geiko and Kata.

At the conclusion of the class, Masumi wrote all the kids’ names on their belts in Japanese, which they thought was great.

This class was followed by a session with the adults where once again I checked and emphasised the importance of basics. Most of the class was spent on Kihon and Ido Geiko. Both were at a good standard, which is always a measure of capable students and a quality and dedicated instructor.

On Sunday morning there was another class for the adults and this was orientated towards Ido Geiko, Kata, some fighting techniques and a little self-defence. All the adults performed well and have potential to move forward in their grades.

A few deserve special mention: Jermaine and Amanda, the senior kyu grades, are excellent role models for the more juniors. Chris and Yolanda from the junior kyu grades also performed exceptionally well.

Aspley Dojo adults with Shihan Lipman.

All the adults also had their names put on their belts in Japanese by Masumi.

The seminar was a great success and enjoyed by all. Congratulations are due to Sempai Rob, who I have known since he was 17  years old. It has been interesting and pleasing to watch his progress over the years. His dojo now is well organised and well disciplined which is a mark of the man himself.

A weekend seminar was held at Lismore Dojo. Shihan Rick Cunningham travelled up from Sydney to conduct the seminar. Students from Sensei Mark McFadden’s Lismore Dojo, Sensei Jon Ellis’s Ballina Dojo and Sempai Rob James’s Aspley Dojo were all in attendance.

On the Saturday, Shihan Cunningham walked students through applications from the Kyokushin Pinan katas. This was a great opportunity for the North Coast and Brisbane students to enrich their bunkai knowledge bank, particularly those who have not previously attended the seminars held in Sydney, like the August Bunkai & Tameshiwari Seminar.

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On the Sunday, the focus shifted to Kobudo.

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After the Kobudo, the Little Lions did some Karate training followed by a lunch.

Thanks go to Shihan Cunningham for leading the weekend, and to Sensei Mark and Sensei Jon for hosting. Sempai Rob James will be returning the favour, hosting a seminar at Aspley Dojo in November.