Sempai Patricia Tan, Sensei Jon Ellis, Sempai Wally Gray & Sensei Mark McFadden.
The grading was held at Evans Head beach. Students of Ballina Dojo also attended for training alongside those who were attempting the grading from Lismore.
The heavy soft, wet sand made stances and kicks especially tiring. Everyone did well and it was a fun, different yet satisfying challenge for the adults and Little Lions who participated.
Thanks go to all who helped, including Sempai Trish and Anthony for organising the food, the parents who drove their children out to Evans Head, and those who assembled the BBQ, and Yaco’s father for taking on the role of head snag cooker.
Sempai Rob was pleased with everybody’s efforts, including a new fourth kyu in the adults class. Thanks go to Jermaine Downs (senior student) for his assistance with the tests.
Sempai Rob remarked, “A solid effort from everybody! The level of knowledge, fitness and technical ability is impressive, as is their commitment.”
From the photo archives of Shihan Howard Lipman! Shihan Howard reaches 3rd Dan, referees tournaments, travels to Japan and continues the beach training sessions. Shihan Rick Cunningham also joins the fold…
Shihan John Taylor assesses Shihan Howard Lipman
Shihan Howard Lipman’s Sandan grading
Shihan Howard Lipman grading to 3rd Dan (Sensei)
Shihan Howard Lipman grading to 3rd Dan (Sensei)
Shihan Howard after the grading
Shihan Howard Lipman grading to 3rd Dan (Sensei)
Shihan Howard refereeing
Shihan Howard refereeing
Shihan Howard refereeing
Shihan Howard Lipman (right) referees while Shihan Bob Boulton (left) watches on
Fun and games in between beach training
Shihan Rick Cunningham in training!
Shihan Rick Cunningham as a brown belt
Shihan Howard and seniors in Japan
Shihan Howard showed Sosai his flying skills when Sosai visited Australia
Shihan Howard at Kinkakuji in Kyoto, Japan
Shihan Howard in Japan
Shihan Howard and Shihan Rick at one of Shihan Rick’s earlier tournaments
Shihan Howard and Shihan Rick (both on the right) with New Zealand branch chief Shihan Mike Kenworthy
Shihan Mike, Shihan Howard and Shihan Rick
Shihan Howard Lipman and Shihan Howard Collins
Shihan Howard teaches a young Sensei Mark Ting how to break a board
All KIMAA fighters performed excellently, especially those for whom it was their first tournament.
Sempai Angus’s first round went to an extension in the adult heavy weight. It was an exhausting bout but he pushed through, using his strength and low kicks to win the extension. He came second after taking a roundhouse kick to the front of the head in the final. Sempai Josh and Cody fought off for first and second place in the boys 11-13 years under 40kg. Cody had taken an unfortunate hit to the throat but fought well despite the injury. Sempai Josh used his kicks to win the fight.
Sempai Angus Sweeney lines up for his first fight.
Sempai Victor, in the cadet heavy weight division, fought a competitor over 20kg heavier than him. He faced up and stood his ground valiantly despite the weight difference. Jasper’s first fight saw him take several illegal techniques to the throat, but he pushed on and displayed the spirit of Kyokushin throughout the bout.
It was Ethan and Andrew’s first tournament. Ethan fought Sempai Victor and displayed good control and confidence. Andrew stood bravely to his much heavier opponent, and gave it his all.
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Everyone walked away with a placement. Congratulations to everyone for their efforts:
Sempai Angus – Adult Heavy Weight (Open) – Second
Sempai Josh – Boys 11-13 Years under 40kg – First
Sempai Victor – Cadet Heavy Weight – Second
Jasper – Boys 13-16 Years over 58kg – Second
Cody – Boys 11-13 Years under 40kg – Second
Ethan – Cadet Heavy Weight – Third
Andrew – Adult Heavy Weight (Intermediate) – Third
Congratulations to all.
The competitors with their coaches after the tournament.
In this entry, Shihan Howard reaches 2nd Dan and competes in a number of tournaments, as well as refereeing them. Hover your mouse cursor over the photos and if a caption pops up, click the photo to read the full caption.
Next month, the 1980s, and some more familiar faces from KIMAA.
Shihan Howard Lipman
Shihan Howard (far right) teaching outdoors
1st National Kyokushin Committee
Howard Lipman, Bobby Lowe & Bob Boulton
Shihan Howard breaks a bat
Shihan Howard (second from left) breaking in a tournament
Shihan Howard fighting in a tournament
Shihan Howard knocks down his opponent
Shihan Howard (far right) referees the Final of the first AKKA National Full Contact Tournament at Sydney Town Hall in 1977, Shihan Tony Bowden v Sensei Peter Wolfe.
In the above photos, then-Sempai Howard was training with Sempai Stephen Penny. He was 16 here and the two did Shodan together. Shihan Howard recalls he was an amazing young man, and his karate and strength was quite incredible. Both trained under Shihan Bob Boulton at West Pymble Dojo and spent every spare minute training together.
