Category: 2026

KIMAA Okinawa Group Tour – April 4-15, 2026

Instructors and students from Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia (KIMAA) undertook an Okinawa Group Tour in April, following the last trip in March 2025. The training group comprised:

Also accompanying the group on the tour were Masumi Lipman (wife of the late Hanshi Howard Lipman), Shihan Mark’s partner, Sempai Allan’s sister, and Sempai Maia’s mother. This was Sempai Allan, Sempai Maia and CJ’s first training trip to Okinawa.

KIMAA has been travelling to Okinawa to train with Sensei Tetsuhiro Hokama (Hanshi, 10th Dan) since 2008 and the organisation is proud and grateful to continue training with a true Okinawan Goju Ryu master. Renshi Mark and Shihan James were part of the original training trip 18 years ago and continue to return and train with Sensei Hokama frequently.

The group spent six days training with Sensei Hokama – five of daytime training sessions, and the general Saturday night class on the sixth day. Most of the training centred around Kobudo (weapons), in Bo, Sai, Eku and Nunchucku, but also in Karate for kata, bunkai (self-defence applications) and other techniques.

The tour group also trained one Kyokushin Karate night class with Shihan Yasuhiro Shichinohe (8th Dan), the local Kyokushin Branch Chief with which KIMAA has a long association with courtesy of the late Hanshi Howard.

Throughout their time in Okinawa, the group enjoyed sightseeing and soaking up more of the local culture and history, as well as the local cuisine. Some of these included the Naval HQ Okinawan War Memorial; in Onoyama Park the Ryūkyū Hassha Okinogū Shrine, Funakoshi Shrine and white Torii gate; and the Fukushū‑en Garden.

Towards the end of their time training with Sensei Hokama, Sensei awarded four new Kyu grades in Kobudo. After spending the week assessing the students, the following new Kobudo grades were bestowed:

  • Maia – 4th Kyu
  • Narmie – 6th Kyu
  • Allan – 8th Kyu
  • CJ – 8th Kyu

KIMAA extends a special thank you to Sensei Hokama for the calligraphy written on timber boards, welcome to entry boards that are now displayed at Turramurra Dojo.

On Friday night, the group enjoyed dinner with Sensei Hokama and his senior students. The group was honoured to be invited to a traditional Okinawan banquet, full of creative local delicacies.

Also present throughout the training sessions with Sensei Hokama was Shihan Ken Ogura, Sensei Hokama’s Nagoya Branch Chief. KIMAA values its close relationship with Shihan Ken, who is technically proficient and an extremely precise karate and martial arts practitioner. KIMAA looks forward to future endeavours with Shihan Ken.

After the week of training, the group enjoyed further sightseeing in Okinawa, including to Tokashiki Beach and Kerama Islands, before returning to Sydney.

KIMAA is already planning its next training trip to Okinawa.

Kempo Ryu Championships – March 15, 2026

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.