2026 – Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia

KIMAA Seminar – August 14-16, 2026

Following the success of the 2025 KIMAA seminar in Taree, Shihan James Sidwell organised a KIMAA seminar which was held in Sydney, hosted by the Honbu Turramurra Dojo over three days. Sensei Mark Long and students from Taree Dojo travelled down to Sydney for the event, and Masumi Lipman oversaw the weekend’s operations.

The night of Friday August 14th was the first session, held at Turramurra Dojo. Shihan James, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Sensei Ben Ng took students through basics (Kihon): punches, strikes, blocks, kicks, and of course push-ups.

Saturday began at the adjacent park after a group BBQ breakfast. The karateka then converged on the neighbouring Uniting Church Turramurra for a day in the hall. In the morning, Renshi Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James Sidwell took students through the basics of the Bo staff.

After lunch, the group reconvened for an intensive kata session, run by Shihan Idir Bahamid. Shihan Idir oversaw the group’s attention to finesse, focus, speed and power. After training, the students went out to dinner at the Blue Gum Hotel.

On Sunday morning, students arrived at the Blair Wark VC Community Centre in Lindfield. Shihan James and Shihan Mark ran a training session that included gohon and sanbon kumite followed by numerous renraku drills. The renraku comprised partner work for combat drills and self-defence combinations, demonstrated by Sensei Ben and Sensei Alex Lloyd.

At the end of training, Sensei Mark presented the Shihans with a certificate of appreciation and framed artwork. After packing up the centre, many students visited the nearby grave of Hanshi Howard Lipman to pay respects. It has been two years since Hanshi left us.

Well done to all students for their hard training and special thanks to the parents who provided support, particularly keeping everyone fed. We look forward to the next seminar in 2027.

MKA National Tournament – August 2, 2026

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.

Jin Sei Ryu National Benefit Tournament – July 4, 2026

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.

Kyokushin Senior Grading – June 20, 2026

Following the presentation of senior Dan grades, the Kyokushin Senior Grading commenced for green and brown belt karateka attempting their next belt level. Four students partook in the grading, with others training alongside or turning up for the kumite at the end. All students did very well.

Students were assessed by Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan James Sidwell and Shihan Mark Shelmerdine while Sensei Ben Ng conducted the grading.

Special recognition goes to Peter Zhu, who was promoted to Shodan-Ho. Shodan-Ho is regarded as a provisional or apprentice black belt rank, a black belt level without a Dan grade.

In previous years, three exceptional students attempted their Shodan (1st Dan) grading while under the age of 16, which included the 40 fights. (Notably, Sensei Josh Darley redid his 40 fights as an adult in his 3rd Dan grading.) However, most underage karateka cannot reasonably be expected to handle the full rigours of a 1st Dan Kyokushin grading without compromising the legitimacy of the rank. In recognition of this, the KIMAA Board decided to reintroduce the grade of Shodan-Ho for younger karateka to be able to attempt if they have held 1st Kyu for a sufficiently long time, but are not quite old enough to attempt 1st Dan.

Peter now holds the grade of Shodan-Ho. Peter is the first student of KIMAA to successfully complete the Shodan-Ho grading. He completed 20 fights at a high level and otherwise met all the technique and kata requirements for regular Shodan. He will be eligible to attempt his 1st Dan Shodan Black Belt grading in 18 months. Our congratulations go to Peter as he has laid out the path forward for future karateka who start training at a very young age.

KIMAA Leadership Announcement – June 20, 2026

Shihan James Sidwell and Shihan Mark Shelmerdine have been graded to 6th Dan in Kyokushin Karate.

At the June 2026 Senior Grading in Turramurra Dojo, Shihan Idir Bahamid (KIMAA Executive Board Member, 6th Dan Kyokushin, 5th Dan Shotokan, 1st Dan Kobudo) presented the grades. He spoke about Shihan James and Shihan Mark’s long involvement with Kyokushin, and their dedication to and leadership of Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia (KIMAA).

Shihan James Sidwell (6th Dan Kyokushin, 5th Dan Kobudo, Honorary 5th Dan Goju-Ryu) began studying martial arts in 1981, Kyokushin in 1993 and then commenced training under Hanshi Howard Lipman (9th Dan) in 1994. He was previously graded by Hanshi to 1st Dan in 2004, 2nd Dan in 2006, 3rd Dan in 2009, 4th Dan in 2013 and 5th Dan in 2020. His non-Kyokushin grades were awarded by Sensei Hokama (10th Dan) in Okinawa in 2023. Shihan James became a KIMAA Vice-Chairman in 2023, then the KIMAA Chairman in July 2024, after the passing of Founding Chairman Hanshi Howard.

Shihan Mark Shelmerdine (6th Dan Kyokushin, 6th Dan Kobudo, Honorary 6th Dan Goju-Ryu) began training under Hanshi Howard Lipman (9th Dan Kyokushin) in 1986. He was previously graded by Hanshi to 1st Dan in 2002, 2nd Dan in 2004, 3rd Dan in 2008, 4th Dan in 2013 and 5th Dan in 2020. His non-Kyokushin grades were awarded by Sensei Hokama (10th Dan) in Okinawa in 2023. Shihan Mark became the KIMAA Kobudo Head Instructor and a KIMAA Vice-Chairman in 2023, and then in July 2024 continuing the former role and the latter acceding to Executive Board Member.

The other instructors and all students of KIMAA thank Shihan James and Shihan Mark for their many years of teaching and mentorship, and especially their leadership following the passing of Hanshi Howard Lipman. His legacy continues. Osu.

Kobudo Beach Training – June 7, 2026

On the King’s Birthday long weekend, regular Kobudo training was replaced by a special beach training session for those not away on holiday.

Four Kobudo karateka and Masumi Lipman met at Freshwater Beach for training. Shihan James Sidwell, Shihan Alex Lloyd, Sensei Ben Ng and Allan Mortensen practised the Bo, Eku and Sai in the sand, and enjoyed brunch at Harbord Diggers after.

KIKO Kata, Weapons & Point Sparring Tournament – May 31, 2026

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.

KIMAA was represented on the Officials table by Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine, Shihan James Sidwell and Masumi Lipman. The competitors were coached by Sensei Ben Ng, Sensei Alex Lloyd and Sensei Mark Long, with additional moral and photography support from Sophie Shi. Special thanks to all the parents who came out to support as well.

Kata Placements