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.
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.
On the weekend of November 21-23, Shihan James Sidwell led a KIMAA contingent to represent Turramurra Dojo at the IKU Tournament in Queensland. Sensei Ben Ng and other supporters went along on the trip.
Sempai Maia Brown and Sempai Narmie Thambipillay, who both graded to Shodan last year in Kyokushin Karate, competed in Kata.
Sempai Maia Brown is a national Kata champion for Women’s 15-18 at Shodan level taking 1st Place in her division. Congratulations, Sempai Maia!
Sempai Narmie competed well but unfortunately lost to the eventual champion of her division in a kata knock-out round.
Congratulations to our students on the dedication, hard training and excellent delivery of the kata on the day.
The next morning students went to Broadbeach QLD to enjoy some sun.
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.
KIMAA had a contingent of eight karateka from Turramurra and Taree dojos competing at the National MKA tournament. Most divisions had a great deal of depth with competitors attending from around Australia as well as some from New Zealand.
All our students competed well and fought with spirit and integrity.
Congratulations to all who competed and a special thank you to Masumi Lipman who came to support our KIMAA fighters. The group was led on the day by Shihan James Sidwell and Sensei Mark Long.
KIMAA were proud to support the event and achieve a First, Second and a Third place in various events.
