Four teenage karateka attempted a Kyokushin senior kyu grading for green and brown belt levels at Turramurra Dojo on Sunday December 11th.
Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James Sidwell assessed students. The grading was conducted by Sensei Ben Ng and supported by Sensei Alex Lloyd and Sempai Maia Brown.
Results will be announced at the dojo in the coming week. Well done to all for their efforts.
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.
On Sunday 2nd November 2025, KIMAA attended the KIKO end of year Full Contact tournament.
Overall there were 12 competitors from KIMAA who participated on the day. We had five competitors travel down from Taree Dojo and seven competitors came from Turramurra Dojo. The event was supported by Masumi Lipman, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine, Shihan James Sidwell, Sensei Ben Ng and Sensei Mark Long.
(Pictured: Shihan Mark, Masumi, Kancho Doug Turnbull of KIKO, Shihan James)
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.
13-15 under 60kg Female
– CJ Shelmerdine placed 3rd
13-15 under 60kg Male
– Jameson Smith placed 3rd
Female Colts Contact sparring under 60kg
– Sophie Shi 1st Place
Veterans Males contact sparring
– Peter Madigan placed 2nd
Veterans Females contact sparring
– Narmie Thambipillay 2nd 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.
Osu. Well done all.
Over the weekend of 18-20 July 2025, the annual KIMAA seminar was held for a weekend of quality learning in the martial arts. This year it was hosted by Taree Dojo, at the nearby town of Harrington. For the weekend, KIMAA hired the house at Riverlodge at Harrington Waters. Instructors and students of Turramurra and Taree dojos gathered for a weekend of training together.
On the Friday night, Sensei Ben Ng led an evening class focusing on Kyokushin Karate basics, moving in stance and some bunkai relating to basic block forms.
The next morning, Sensei Ben led a 7am run along the shoreline to the marina and back.
Training resumed at 9.30am. The first part of the class focused on renraku (ippon kumite), led by Shihan James Sidwell. The rest of the morning focused on Kobudo, led by Renshi Mark Shelmerdine. The group practised the Bo staff.
After breaking for lunch, training resumed. Shihan James led a kata class. The group practised Pinan sono Ni, with an extensive breakdown of bunkai (self-defence applications) pulled out from the pattern.
Masumi Lipman attended the seminar to oversee the running of the weekend, take training photos, walk the dogs and be Group Mum. We thank Masumi for her ongoing support of and involvement with KIMAA.
When afternoon training was complete, the group broke for free time and enjoyed dinner at the adjacent tavern.
The next morning, Sensei Alex Lloyd led a fitness class at 7.00am.
A portion of the group left after breakfast due to family and other commitments for the Sunday. The group recovered over breakfast, then regathered for the final training session of the day. Sensei Mark Long led a fight training class, going through fighting basics, combinations and then kumite (sparring). Shihan Mark Shelmerdine also showed some fight drills and pressure points.
After many rounds of Kumite, the group packed up then broke for lunch.
Special thanks go to Shihan James and Sensei Mark for organising the weekend. With the exception of Saturday night dinner, all catering was managed by Sensei Mark’s partner Ken and their friends. We’re grateful for all the assistance in feeding us over the weekend, and for the support of parents who came along with their Little Lions students.
We look forward to the 2026 KIMAA seminar. Osu!
KIMAA were honoured to be invited to attend the Jin Sei Ryu Tournament on Saturday July 5th. Kancho Ino Maquirang hosted a benefit tournament with the proceeds going to a number of charities.
KIMAA had four participants attend and compete in Kyokushin kata, Kobudo, freestyle kumite, point sparring, full contact kumite and sword fighting. The contingent was supported by Shihan James Sidwell and Sempai Adam Roach.
Sempai Narmie competed strongly in the women’s senior grade divisions for Kyokushin kata and Kobudo kata.
Oliver fought extremely well in a bout against a well matched opponent. Despite his opponent being shodan, Ollie fought competitively in his second ever tournament. The bout went to decision. He placed Second in his category, 16 & 17 years male Colts Full Contact (all grades).
Brothers Chris and Michael competed in five events, placing in several. A top effort from the boys in continuing to enter tournaments and they are growing quickly in skill and experience. Chris placed 3rd in Traditional Forms 8-10 years (beginners to intermediate) and 1st in Traditional Forms 8-10 years (advanced to black belt), performing Pinan San. He also placed 3rd in the fun ‘sword combat’ event for 8-10 years. Michael placed 3rd in Point Sparring 8-10 years and 3rd in Freestyle Sparring for 8-10 years.
It was good to see so many other dojos present also supporting the event and generating the sense of community that is so important in the martial arts.
Well done to our students. Osu.
On Sunday June 22nd, the fortnightly Kobudo class of Turramurra Dojo was held at Freshwater Beach. In attendance were Renshi Mark Shelmerdine, Shihan James Sidwell, Shihan Alex Lloyd, Sensei Ben Ng and Narmie Thambipillay. Masumi Lipman came by to watch and photograph the training session.
The weapons used on the beach were the Bo, Eku, Sai and Jō.
After training, Masumi and the training group enjoyed brunch at Harbord Diggers.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 