An afternoon class was held for all students, covering all things Kyokushin, including basics, kata and self-defence. A senior session was held afterwards, focusing on kata and bunkai.
Students from Ballina and Lismore dojos attended. Thanks go to Sensei Jon for organising the day and to Shihan Cunningham for coming up to Ballina to teach.
Sensei Jon and Sempai Wally with the KIMAA competitors.
Sensei Mark McFadden had pepped up the team the night before with the following words:
Trish Tan wins third place in a kata division.
“The only thing I would add is enjoy the tournament, the atmosphere, whether it is your first or 31st. Enjoy the camaraderie, and being with stacks of people all into Kyokushin. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose. It matters that you participated and gave it a shot.
Of course we will celebrate those who do well, but we will also celebrate those who tried. The competitors have all put in extra training, extra effort. You will all be fine.”
The first trophy of the day was won shortly after lunch by Patricia Tan, coming third place in a kata division.
The success for the KIMAA team followed, with our karateka taking out gold trophies in three divisions.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Congratulations to all who participated, whether you won a trophy or not. You represented KIMAA proudly.
The seminar began on the Saturday afternoon. Much of the afternoon was dedicated to kata and bunkai. Attention was also given to breathing technique and the importance of expanding one’s lung capacity. Self-defence applications were derived from the three Taikyoku katas, Sokugi Taikyoku sono Ichi and the first three Pinan katas. The more senior grades also went through Sanchin and Tsukino.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Kumite was a big part of the afternoon, with Shihan Cunningham discussing the finer points of stances, kicking, timing, distance and a good defence.
The seminar resumed on the Sunday, beginning with a Little Lions session. The class covered Kyokushin kihon, kata and pad work.
Kata, bunkai and pad work were the main focuses of the Sunday adults class as well.
The weekend was very successful and the students learned a lot. Thanks goes to the venue, Healthworks Fitness Centre Aspley. Sempai Rob and his students were also enormously grateful to Shihan Cunningham for teaching the seminar.
“It’s not everyday you train with someone like Shihan Rick, who has a wealth of knowledge in the martial arts, is a great mentor and genuinely wants to see you grow,” said Sempai Rob.
Shihan Rick Cunningham with Sempai Rob James and his adult students.
Some of the students grading from Turramurra included Jasper Choi, Bernard Wilson and Elia Parsanejad. They kept pace well with the senior grades, Will and Trish, from up the coast.
Will performed admirably in his 20 fights for 1st Kyu (Senior Brown Belt).
Amanda sparring for her grading.
Sempai Rob sparring.
Will Brook with Sensei Jon after his 20th fight.
Results decided upon by Shihan Lipman will be announced by the various dojo head instructors. Congratulations to all who passed, and well done on everyone for attempting.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Group photo of those who attempted the grading and supporting black belts.Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sensei Jon Ellis, Will Brook, Patricia Tan, Shihan Howard Lipman & Sensei Mark McFadden.
Victor and Angus Sweeney with Sensei James Sidwell and Sensei Mark Shelmerdine.
Sempai Jason, Angus and Victor all fought in the COLTs heavy weight division while Christian fought in the COLTs light weight division.
Sempai Jason and Victor were up against each other for their first fight. Victor lost to Jason by a half-point due to a solid kick to the ribs, but the round still went to completion.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Angus was up against a black belt in his first round. Angus lost by a half-point when he took a jodan mae geri to the face, but continued the fight to completion.
Sempai Jason then went up against the black belt who had bested Angus. Sempai Jason fought well but also lost by a half-point due to a head kick, yet he finished the round all the same.
These three had fought in the AKKA state titles last year and in others, but for Christian, it was his second tournament. He fought well for his second time, but ultimately lost his round due to an ushiro geri kick.
Well done to all competitors for turning up and representing KIMAA.
Sempai Jason Lambe, Victor Sweeney, Sensei James Sidwell, Shihan Rick Cunningham, Angus Sweeney, Sensei Mark Shelmerdine & Christian Girdham.
Sensei Mark McFadden and Patricia Tan with the KIMAA North Coast Little Lions team.
On Sunday May 22, four Little Lions from the KIMAA North Coast team competed in another round of the National All Styles. The tournament was held in Queensland.
Four Little Lions – Brad, Liam, Isaac and Loc – participated on the day. Sensei Mark McFadden (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo) and Patricia Tan were the coaches.
Brad Chisolm of Ballina Dojo came second in point sparring, while Loc Ngyuen of Lismore Dojo came first in point sparring. Both boys fought in different divisions.
Well done to all who competed, and to Brad and Loc for their wins!
Sempai Rob James with Kancho Jim Casey at the NAS.
Sempai Rob James (2nd Dan Kyokushin) also competed in the NAS. He participated in the Open Black Belt and Veterans divisions.
Up against some very talented and skilled competitors, in the Open Black Belt division, Sempai Rob placed 4th. He performed the senior Kyokushin kata, Seienchin.
Sempai Rob participated in the NAS to inspire his Little Lions to do well in their own kata tournaments that are held at Aspley Dojo. “Seeing their Sempai compete in a kata tournament might inspire them in some small way.”
The second KIMAA seminar of 2016 was held in Lismore, NSW Far North Coast, at Lismore Dojo on the weekend of April 16-17. The seminar was run by Shihan Rick Cunningham (6th Dan Kyokushin, 6th Dan Kobudo).
The seminar was hosted by Lismore Dojo’s head instructor, Sensei Mark McFadden (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 3rd Dan Kobudo). Other black belts in attendance were Sensei Jon Ellis (3rd Dan Kyokushin, 2nd Dan Kobudo) and Sempai Wally Gray (2nd Dan Kyokushin). KIMAA Karateka included adults and kids from local dojos Lismore and Ballina. Sensei Barry Potts from Northern Rivers Shukokai Karate brought along his students to participate in the seminar’s Saturday session.
The Saturday session of the seminar focused on Kyokushin Karate.
The primary focus of Saturday’s class was on bunkai (application) from kata (pattern or form). The applications were taken from various Pinan Kata and Naihanchi.
Everyone had a good time, and a lot of content was covered in the day.
Saturday participants in the KIMAA Lismore Seminar.
Sunday began with Kobudo. A grading was held, and students were assessed by Shihan Cunningham. Trish Tan, Wally Gray, Jack Hannah and Wes Snyder were all graded to their next Kyu belt in Kobudo. Congratulations to all.
Kobudo students in the KIMAA Lismore Seminar.
After the Kobudo was a Little Lions session. This session included kihon (basics), pad/bag work and kata.
The Little Lions enjoyed themselves, especially having guest instructor Shihan Cunningham show them a few new tricks!
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Lunch was then served, expertly BBQ’d by Sensei Jon Ellis. Thanks go to Geoff from Wyrallah Rd Blue Ribbon Meats for supplying the snags to feed the hungry Little Lions after the morning session. Patricia Tan was also a great aid with the supply shopping and other little situations that arose. Of course thanks also go to the parents of the Little Lions who gave up their weekends to come and support their kids.
Shihan Rick Cunningham with the North Coast Little Lions.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 