Category: Events

KIMAA students from Turramurra and Annangrove dojos entered the International Federation of Karate Kyokushinkai Australia tournament on Sunday September 6. The tournament was hosted by Shihan Doug Turnbull (6^th Dan) and Sensei Jenny Fuller (3^rd Dan) of the IFKKA. The competitors enjoyed great success, with most students walking away with placements at the end of the day.

Competing in the full-contact Kyokushin tournament were:

Adults: 

Sempai Ben Ng (2^nd Dan), Sempai Don Cheong (2^nd Dan), Sempai Alex Lloyd (2^nd Dan) and Andy Kuo (6th Kyu)

Kids: 

Elia Parsanejad (3^rd Kyu), James Parasyn (3^rd Kyu), Kasra Parsanejad (4^th Kyu), Jasper Choi (4^th Kyu), Bernard Wilson (4^th Kyu Level 2), Christian Girdham (6^th Kyu) and Aaryan Sahukhan (6^th Kyu).

The coaches were Shihan Howard Lipman (8^th Dan), Shihan Rick Cunningham (6^th Dan) and Sensei James Sidwell (4^th Dan). Shihan Lipman’s wife Masumi and Sensei Paul Finnerty (4^th Dan) came to support the fighters, and Sempai James Campbell (2^nd Dan) took up the mantle of cameraman, as Sempai Alex was preoccupied!

Round 1 got underway promptly at 10 am. Aaryan Sahukhan and James Parasyn in the ‘Boys 11-13 years under 40kg’ division were up first. It was Aaryan’s first tournament. He showed great spirit, but his more experienced opponent won the match. James used his high kicks to keep his opponent away, scoring points quickly and progressing to Round 2.

Next up was the ‘Men’s Open Middle Weight’ division. Sempai Alex won his fight with aggression and continuous movement. He moved to Round 2, where Sempai Ben and Sempai Don were waiting after both having a bye. The younger years were back to the fighting mats again.

Bernard Wilson, ‘Boys 11-13 years 40-45kg’, held his own against a young black belt from another dojo, but the more advanced fighter won the bout. Next was Kasra Parsanejad, ‘Boys 11-13 years over 45kg’. Kasra had a great first fight, using his height and long legs to overpower his opponent with numerous head kicks.

Andy Kuo of ‘Men’s Novice Heavy Weight’ followed next. Andy copped some heavy hits from his opponent but kept pushing through, winning the round, after two extensions, with gusto. Jasper Choi, ‘Boys 14-15 years 50-57kg’, fought after Andy. Jasper displayed great energy, narrowly losing but still showing the right aggression and pace that a young Kyokushin fighter should have.

Round 2 was the round of extensions and determination. James Parasyn fought hard, narrowly losing to his black belt opponent. His fight went to one extension before the judges could determine a winner, however.

Sempai Don entered Round 2 after his bye, quickly overpowering his opponent. Don used his strong leg techniques and relentless chasing to out-muscle his opponent, earning his place in the Finals for the ‘Men’s Open Middle Weight’ division.

After his win in Round 1, Sempai Alex came up against Sempai Ben, who’d had a bye. The two exchanged many blows: Ben’s trademark strong side and thigh kicks against Alex’s punching barrage and uppercuts. It was a close fight, but Ben’s blocking and fast leg techniques ultimately prevailed. After two exhausting two-minute extensions, the judges finally declared a winner, giving the fight to Sempai Ben.

Kasra fronted up to his second fight in the ‘Boys 11-13 years over 45kg’ division. Kasra again used his height and kicks techniques to great effectiveness, giving him another win.

The final round of fights saw the placement play-offs and finals. Sempai Alex was up first against the opponent Sempai Don and beaten in Round 2. Alex used his aggression and strength to overpower his opponent. The referee awarded Alex the match after he scored two waza-ari, securing Alex as Third Place in the ‘Men’s Open Middle Weight’ division.

Elia Parsanejad had her first fight of the day in the final of the ‘Girls 14-15 years over 55kg’ division. Elia had energy and aggression, dominating much of the fight. However, despite her grit and resilience, her opponent won the bout due to scoring waza-ari from well-timed techniques.

Following Elia’s fight was the big event, the final for the ‘Men’s Open Middle Weight’ between Sempai Ben and Sempai Don. Sempai Ben started the fight a bit more tired than Sempai Don after his longer session in Round 2, but both competitors showed nothing but strong resolve and Kyokushin fighting spirit. The two went punch-for-punch, leading to a two-minute extension. Both sides give it their all in the extension, but ultimately Sempai Don’s leg techniques had more power. The fight went to Sempai Don.

The ‘Boys 14-15 years 50-57kg’ division continued in a round robin. Christian Girdham and Jasper Choi both had losses in this division, but faced each other as part of the play-offs. Jasper moved around a lot but Christian’s height gave him the advantage he needed, taking the win. (A video of this fight is not available.)

KIMAA’s last fight in the tournament was Andy Kuo in the ‘Men’s Novice Heavy Weight’. It was a long, hard fight with an extension. Andy took a hit to the groin and the jaw. His opponent won the fight, despite the penalty against him, but Andy couldn’t have done KIMAA any prouder.

Most of the fighters won placements at the end of the day. These included:

Men’s Open Middle Weight

Sempai Don Cheong – 1^st

Sempai Ben Ng – 2^nd

Sempai Alex Lloyd – 3^rd

Men’s Novice Heavy Weight

Andy Kuo – 2^nd

Girls 14-15 years over 55kg

Elia Parsanejad – 2^nd

Boys 14-15 years 50-57kg

Christian Girdham – 2^nd

Jasper Choi – 3^rd

Boys 11-13 years over 45kg

Kasra Parsanejad – 1^st

Boys 11-13 years 40-45kg

Bernard Wilson – 2^nd

Boys 11-13 years under 40kg

James Parasyn – equal 3^rd

Congratulations to everyone involved. Both first-time fighters and the more experienced combatants all displayed great determination and attitude, regardless of the strength and experience of their opponents. Shihan Lipman was very proud of all involved. Having KIMAA take so many placements, including the top three of the ‘Men’s Open Middle Weight’, was an extra special reward for all the hard effort put in by students and instructors alike.

Thanks again to Shihan Lipman, Shihan Cunningham and Sensei James for the coaching support, both on the day and in all the months of training prior.

KIMAA’s next big event will be the October/November Seminar & Grading.

Eight students of Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia competed in the NSW State Kyokushin Championship.

The competitors came from Turramurra and Annangrove dojos. They were:

Male 16 & 17 Years Division

Sempai Jason Lambe

Angus Sweeney

Male 13-15 Years Division

Victor Sweeney

Ethan Franke

Male 10-12 Years Division

Joshua Darley

James Parasyn

Bernard Wilson

Male 8 & 9 Years Division

James Kosimar

The support/coaching team on the day was made up of Shihan Howard Lipman, Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sensei Peter Olive, Sensei James Sidwell, Sempai Don Cheong and Sempai Alex Lloyd.

Everyone fought well against their opponents. Notable mentions go to James Parasyn and James Kosimar for their wins, including James Parasyn’s two jodan mawashi geri techniques that led him to victory in his first round.

Victor Sweeney came equal third in his division and powered through many rounds to win his trophy.

Congratulations to Victor, and all involved.

This post has been updated with a new video that now includes footage of Angus Sweeney competing.

Shihan Doug Turnbull (6th Dan) of the International Federation of Karate Kyokushinkai Australia held a contact Karate tournament on Sunday November 9. The tournament was held at Tempe Public School.

Shihan Howard Lipman (8th Dan) entered three students from his Turramurra Dojo: Angus Sweeney (1st Kyu), Victor Sweeney (2nd Kyu) and Zac Zibaee (4th Kyu). The Sweeney brothers have been training with Shihan Lipman at Turramurra for many years. Zac began his Karate training at Knox Grammar Prep School Karate, under Shihan Lipman and Sempai Alex Lloyd (2nd Dan), and now trains with Shihan Lipman and Sensei James Sidwell (4th Dan) at the regular classes at Turramurra as well as Knox Karate.

The above shows footage of Victor competing, then Angus and then Zac.

None of these three young KIMAA karateka had competed in a tournament before, but all performed admirably. Angus placed Second in the Cadet Male Heavy Weight division, Victor placed Third in the Boys 14-15 years over 70kg, and Zac placed Second in the Boys 11-14 years 40-45kg. Some photos of the day are below.

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Congratulations to these students. A special mention goes to young Zac, who fought in the tournament after attempting the Knox Karate grading with the Senior School the day before. Thanks also go to Stephen Runge for coaching on the day, and Sempai Alex for filming and photographing the event for KIMAA. Angus, Victor and Zac represented KIMAA well and made their instructors proud.

Shihan Lipman with Angus, Zac & Victor

Shihan Lipman with Angus & Victor Sweeney

Sempai Alex, Zac Zibaee and Shihan Lipman

The following article and photo was sent to Shihan Lipman and other entrants from Sensei Jenny Fuller, President of the IFKKA:

We had a great day today at the IFKKA Interclub Tournament Round 6 Full Contact Kumite Individuals and a special Clicker Kumite event for the Juniors. With 35 entries, we had students from three other Kyokushin organisations entered. It was a great day and we were treated to some excellent displays clicker and full contact fighting.

Thank you to Shihan Howard Lipman (Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia) Sensei Alicia Smith and Senpai Rob Smith (Young Tigers Dojo, Kyokushin World Federation), and Sensei Graeme Rose CCK Dojo (Kyokushin Union). Your support for our event is very much appreciated.

For full results from today click here. It will be interesting to see how the overall series Champions results pan out for 2014, as today’s event may have decided some of the final results. The results will be announced at the IFKKA End of Year dinner to be held on Saturday 22nd November at the Ottoman Turkish Restaurant. For details of THAT event click here.

A day such as today cannot be possible without our helpers and we need many. Thank you to :

• those who transported and set up the venue yesterday (Saturday) and then again transported the mats back to Petersham after the event: Shihan Doug, Sensei Shah, Senpai André, Chris Spencer, Jack Britton, Ken Randhawa, Eddy Noujaim, Simon Allaway, Anthony Zamattia, and Robbie Simmons.
• the ring officials: Shihan Doug, Sensei Shah, Sensei Graeme Rose, Senpai André, Senpai Ben, Senpai Shigemi, & Franc Pujono,.
• the table officials: Diane Deller and Chris Spencer.
• to Casey & Chris Mardoquio, Meagan Salmond, and of course Louie for setting up and running the sausage sizzle. Well done and we did sell out! Gross takings on the sausages and drinks were $333.
• our raffle sellers Nisha Hewitt and Kris Parekh. We raised $137 from the raffle. Every little bit helps towards the fund raising for the international competition travel!

Once again thank you to all for helping. Without you we cannot give our students the opportunity to enter and demonstrate what they are learning in the dojo. I must say I always love watching how the students from all the dojo are developing in their karate.

OSU!