The students of Lismore Dojo came together for an end-of-year beach training session. Basics, fitness, partner work and kumite was undertaken in the surf.
After the training session, a Christmas BBQ was held. Sensei Mark McFadden presented the Student of the Year awards to Little Lions Zarni McGregor and Jackson Wirasa. He also presented his thanks to all those who have helped with classes this year: Sensei Wally Gray, Sempai Trish Tan, Sempai Scott Bettridge, Letitia, Annabel, Evelyn and Zac.
For the first time in almost seven years, Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia sent a group tour to Japan for training. This occurred in November 2023 and was a marvellously successful trip with an intense training schedule.
KIMAA’s trips to Japan for training with Sensei Tetsuhiro Hokama (Hanshi, 10th Dan Goju-Ryu Karate and Kobudo) began when Hanshi Howard Lipman first met Sensei Hokama in January 2008. During this meeting, Hanshi Howard knew at once that this Sensei was the man with whom he wished to continue his martial arts studies.
For the next few years, KIMAA senior grades went several times a year for training – sometimes just Hanshi Howard and one or two other seniors, or larger group tours. Over time, Hanshi Howard was made Australian Branch Chief of International Hokama Kobudo and the training trips continued biennially. A KIMAA Japan trip was planned for March 2020 but had to be cancelled last minute due to international border closures and the COVID-19 outbreak. After many years away from Okinawa, this year was a triumphant return for KIMAA.
The main purpose of these trips has been to learn Kobudo so it could be taught to the KIMAA students as well as Kyokushin, and therefore broadening the organisation’s martial arts knowledge, as well as learning kata bunkai from Sensei’s Goju-Ryu school to add significant depth and relevant self-defence application to KIMAA’s Kyokushin syllabus. This tradition continued with the 2023 group tour.
The 2023 tour group comprised:
The tour officially began when the bulk of the group departed Sydney on Sunday November 19th, with Sensei Mark McFadden and Sempai Trish arriving in Okinawa a day prior. Monday was a day off to arrive and settle in.
Tuesday November 20th was the first day of training with Sensei Hokama and some of his senior students. The morning session focused on self-defence work: pressure points, grabs, takedowns, chokeholds and more. This session expanded on previous bunkai we had learned, as well as continuing and advancing previous sequences. The day also included dexterity exercises and Sanchin conditioning.
The afternoon session was Kobudo, practicing single and double nunchuck techniques. We then revised Sensei Hokama’s nunchuck Kata, where we discovered new bunkai and took the pattern to a more advanced level with additional moves and making it more dynamic. We then learned a second nunchuck kata that was new to everyone.
This was the first Okinawa training session for Sensei Ben, Sensei Mark Long and Sempai Angus. All of the group learned something new this day and enjoyed a valuable experience in what was a promising start to the week.
On Wednesday, in the morning we trained again with Sensei Hokama, revising more self-defence techniques, going over bunkai for Okinawan Seipai and Saiha Kata, and practised the new nunchuck kata. Shihan James, Sensei Alex and Sensei Ben could already repeat the pattern from it first being taught the day prior, now only requiring more finesse and speed going forward.
That evening, the group returned to its martial arts roots by training with Shihan Shichinohe (8th Dan) and his senior class in Kyokushin Karate. Hanshi Howard and Shihan Shichinohe have been friends for a long time, and the tour group thoroughly enjoyed the class that focused on Kihon, Kata and application to Kumite techniques. The KIMAA group tour in 2013 trained with Shihan Shichinohe, and went to tournaments he hosted in 2015 and 2017, so it was wonderful to train together again after a whole decade. Training was followed by a group dinner to celebrate the occasion.
On Thursday, KIMAA enjoyed reuniting with Shihan Ken Ogura (8th Dan). Shihan Ken is one of Sensei Hokama’s leading instructors and has taught KIMAA Kobudo and karate bunkai in Okinawa and at multiple Australian seminars hosted by Hanshi Howard.
Thursday’s class with Sensei Hokama and Shihan Ken centred around partner work, Seienchin bunkai and then a Kobudo session, going through nunchucks, Bo staff and the Eku. Speed, hip power and more speed was the theme of the day, thoroughly testing everyone’s agility – and knees!
Friday’s training with Sensei Hokama and Shihan Ken was extensive, as the group revised the remainder of the Bo syllabus. Some classic partner work and takedowns were revisited, giving the juniors a firsthand opportunity to experience this with Sensei, while the seniors were also given some further refinement of their kata in terms of movement, dynamism and of course “more speedo!”
The Saturday morning class with Sensei Hokama and Shihan Ken was another valuable session. The group went through the Tonfa and Sai kata – a new experience for some, and the seniors were once again on this trip introduced to a higher level of movement, integrating speed and body power to create a more powerful and faster performance. The seniors all remarked on what a difference these more advanced elements made to the Tonfa kata in particular, transforming their practice of it into a much more impressive and meaningful kata. The class finished with some extra Seienchin and Saiha bunkai.
Saturday night November 25th 2023 was a great honour for KIMAA. Sensei Hokama, after spending the week assessing the tour group, surprised Hanshi Howard Lipman by awarding him 10th Dan, the highest grade in the International Hokama Kobudo Organisation. As a further surprise and honour, out of recognition for years of dedicated training at seminars in Okinawa and Sydney, Hanshi and the senior Kobudo students were also given honorary Dan grades in Goju-Ryu Karate.
The following grades were awarded:
Sensei Hokama chose to honour Hanshi Howard with an unexpected 10th Dan grade for his commitment, knowledge, execution and support of both Goju-Ryu Karate and Kobudo since 2008 as Australian Branch Chief. Among his many trips to train in Japan, Hanshi has also facilitated representatives from Goju-Ryu to come to Australia to instruct aspects of this Karate style, including bunkai for kata, and Kobudo.
Hanshi already has dedicated his life to karate – including as Kyokushin Australian Branch Chief under Sosai Mas Oyama, who promoted him to 5th Dan, and has continued teaching the martial arts since Sosai’s passing in 1994. Hanshi has practised Kyokushin for over 50 years, and has risen to the highest levels within Australia and the world as a Kyokushin 9th Dan. Now Hanshi Howard has been elevated to the most senior grade in both Goju-Ryu and Kobudo by Sensei Hokama. Both are now ‘Hanshi’ and 10th Dan in these two styles.
The honorary grades bestowed upon Renshi Mark, Shihan James, Shihan Mark, Shihan Alex and Sensei Ben also reflect well upon their years of study. Throughout the week of training, Sensei Hokama was delighted and impressed by their technical ability and martial arts spirit.
Sempai Trish continued to impress Sensei with her cross-disciplinary knowledge and insightful questions. Sensei Ben, Sensei Mark Long and Sempai Angus all excelled in their first trip, stepping up to receive the ‘pressure point fun’ from Sensei Hokama when required and gave all the training great gusto.
Hanshi Howard treasures the long-standing association between KIMAA and Sensei Hokama and Okinawa Goju-Ryu Kenshikai Karatedo, Kobudo Association, and looks forward to continuing the wonderful relationship well into the future.
After the presentation of grades, the tour group participated in the final official training session of the trip with Sensei Hokama’s senior students, taken by Shihan Arakawa. This included Sanchin with the jars and partner conditioning, kata, and a final Q&A with Sensei where a variety of topics were discussed.
After training, Sensei Hokama and his senior students shared a meal with the KIMAA team, in a long and happy celebratory dinner.
In a handful of periods of time off training, the group also split up and enjoyed some sightseeing: exploring the reconstruction of Shurijo, performing kata in gi at Nakagusuku, seeing various karate museums, the beach, Street Kart Okinawa, the aquarium and shopping. Sunday was a day-off after the momentous events (and two training sessions) on Saturday.
The group departed Okinawa on Monday November 27th for Kyoto, on the Japanese mainland. We spent a few restful days of sightseeing before leaving Japan on the evening of Thursday November 30th.
Special thanks go to Masumi and Ken for their support, Masumi again for translation and training photography.
The participants all agreed this was the best trip for the knowledge gained, the camaraderie and the memories forged. We look forward to our return – Hanshi Howard is already planning a follow-up group trip in late 2024.
Students of Lismore Dojo competed in kata and kumite at the Gold Coast Budo Challenge on the weekend of 30 September – 1 October, 2023.
The full team comprised Evelyn Wyatt, Annabelle Davis, Zac Curran, Letitia Bolton, James Sun, Paige Duncan, Zarni McGregor, Jackson Wirasa, Kate Waspe and James Waste.
On the Saturday was the kata competition. KIMAA Little Lions competed at a variety of grade lavels. Lismore head instructor Sensei Mark McFadden was a judge for the kata divisions. There were some very large divisions and strong competition – well done to all. The placements in the kata division were:
The next morning was the kumite component of the tournament, with Little Lions fronting up again to the mats. Sempai Trish Tan and Sempai Scott Bettridge were kumite referees. Sensei Wally Gray and Sempai Letitia Bolton coached the fighters.
It was a great day of kumite for the Lismore team. Placements in the karateka’s respective divisions included:
All showed great determination in their fights. Videos of their fights are available in the North Coast Kyokushin Karate Facebook page (for members only). Congratulations to all who represented KIMAA at this tournament – they did their dojo and the organisation proud.
On the Saturday and Sunday of September 23-24 2023, Hanshi Howard Lipman’s senior students prepared for the November KIMAA trip to Okinawa.
Sensei Mark McFadden and Sensei Mark Long travelled from Lismore and Taree to continue preparations and revise and refine their techniques.
On Saturday, Hanshi Howard Lipman and Shihan James Sidwell ran through a Kyokushin karate session, focusing on Sushiho Kata with the KIMAA senior black belts.
On Sunday, Hanshi Howard Lipman and Shihan Mark Shelmerdine took the Kobudo class through Bo kata including Kihon, Exercises 1 through 5, Kihon Part 2 and Ufu Gusuku.
Hanshi Howard also presented Sempai Trish Tan with her Kobudo belt (1st Dan). Sempai Trish was graded to Kobudo 1st Dan in 2020 and finally has the formal belt, after COVID-related delays.
Everyone is excited to return to Japan next month for training with Sensei Hokama.
Sensei Mark McFadden conducted an adult grading for some of the junior kyu Kyokushin Karate students of Lismore Dojo on Thursday September 7th.
A good effort was made by all who participated, well done.
Sensei Mark McFadden and Sensei Mark Long travelled down to Sydney on the weekend of August 26-27 for senior black belt training in the lead up to the KIMAA Okinawa Group Tour this coming November.
On the Saturday afternoon, Hanshi Howard Lipman and Shihan Mark Shelmerdine took the visiting Senseis, as well as Sensei Ben Ng and Sensei Alex Lloyd, through various 2nd and 3rd Dan Kyokushin kata.
On the Sunday morning, Hanshi Howard Lipman oversaw a Kobudo class taken by Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Sensei Alex Lloyd. They revised most weapons in their syllabus, going through various basics and revising senior kata with Sensei Mark McFadden.
The karateka are looking forward to the Japan trip later this year.
On the weekend of July 1-2, 2023, Sensei Mark McFadden hosted a Kyokushin and Kobudo seminar at Lismore Dojo on the NSW Far North Coast.
Hanshi Howard Lipman, Shihan James Sidwell, Sensei Alex Lloyd and Sensei Mark Long travelled to the North Coast for two nights to instruct the adults and kids.
Saturday began with Shihan James leading instruction in basics and kata.
After a sausage sizzle lunch, training resumed, led by Sensei Mark Long. The first afternoon session focused on fighting techniques, combinations and ended with many rounds of kumite. The Lismore karateka fought each other and the visiting black belts. After the kumite, Shihan James and Sensei Alex split the class up for further kata training.
The local senior grades joined the visiting instructors for dinner on the Saturday night.
Sunday morning began with a Little Lions session, led by Shihan James and Sensei Mark.
After the Little Lions went home, Sunday training finished with a long Kobudo session. Shihan James and Sensei Alex took the group through the basics of the Bo staff in the introductory exercises and first kata. Hanshi Howard and Shihan James also ran the group through pressure points, and Sensei Alex took the class through a senior Bo exercise. Shihan James also taught Sensei Wally Gray and Sempai Patricia Tan the second Eku kata and Sensei Alex refreshed Sempai Trish on the Jo kata.
Throughout the weekend, Hanshi Howard presented students with grading certificates. These were for senior kyu grades as a result of the June grading in Sydney, and gradings conducted in Lismore by Sensei Mark for junior kyu, Little Lions and Kobudo.
Hanshi Howard was delighted with the standard of Karate and Kobudo he saw on display. The weekend was a great opportunity for the Lismore Dojo students to train with other martial artists, and be pushed in a constructive way. These KIMAA seminars with Sydney instructors visiting Lismore will continue in 2024.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 