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 Karate students of KIMAA Turramurra and Taree dojos attempted a 5.5-hour Senior Grading at the KIMAA Honbu (Turramurra) on Saturday June 21st 2025. Many younger karateka attempted 4th Kyu (Green Belt) while two adult students – Sempai Josh Darley and Trent Lim – attempted their black belt grades.
The students were assessed by Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James Sidwell. The grading was run with support from other senior black belts, including Sensei Ben Ng, Sensei Don Cheong, Sensei Alireza Miri and Sensei Alex Lloyd.
The grading’s first section focused on the usual elements, comprising a warm-up, basics and moving through stance.
Next, the students were assessed on their technical ability through their kata demonstrations.
Following an extensive kata display, especially for Sempai Josh Darley, the grading moved on to one-step kumite, then the general fitness section.
Finally, the long part of the day commenced. The 40 fights for 1st Dan Black Belt. The ‘Kyokushin 40 fights’ are legendary. Both Josh and Trent completed their 40 one-and-a-half minute full-contact fights. Josh had done the 40 during his 1st Dan grading in 2016. He achieved a rare feat of grading to black belt while being under 18 years old. As he graded when he was 12 years of age, he did the 40 fights again for his 3rd Dan grading to be tested as an adult. Trent did the 40 fights as a routine part of his 1st Dan grading.
All students were thoroughly tested, repeatedly sparring against black belts senior to them, junior black belts including Sempai Maia Brown and Sempai Narmie Thambipillay, and a few fights with juniors being tested on the day. The young men were pushed to their limits and excelled in the face of adversity.
Congratulations to all who attempted the grading, especially our newest Yudansha:
“Congratulations to all who graded. Especially to Sensei Josh Darley on his 3rd Dan grading and Sempai Trent Lim on shodan. Both who completed 40 consecutive full contact fights at 1.5 minutes each. Osu.” – Shihan James Sidwell
On the weekend of June 7-8, 2025, Taree Dojo represented KIMAA at the Gold Coast Budo Challenge.
Over the course of the weekend, Sensei Mark Long accompanied his student Jameson Smith to compete in the kata component of the tournament on the Saturday, and the kumite on the Sunday.
On Saturday, Jameson achieved First Place in the 13-15 years old Intermediate Kata division, performing the Gekusai Sho kata. On Sunday, he also made First Place in the 50kg and under in 12-13 years old Intermediate Full Contact fighting division.
Congratulations to Jameson for doing KIMAA and Taree Dojo proud. Jameson drives from Port Macquarie to Taree regularly for training, wonderfully supported by his parents Donna and Garrod.
On Sunday June 1st, KIMAA had 20 students compete at the Kancho Doug Tunbull’s KIKO tournament in Tempe from our Turramurra and Taree dojos.
All competitors participated with focus and precision. They were supported on the day by Shihan James Sidwell, Sensei Mark Long, Masumi Lipman and parents of the younger students.
Of the 20, KIMAA achieved the following results:
Congratulations to all the participants, the instructors, parents and families who have worked hard to enable such a great result.
We all contribute to, and share in, each other’s success.
Osu.
A contingent of 8 KIMAA competitors (7 from Turramurra Dojo, 1 from Taree Dojo) entered the MKA State Tournament. All students represented their dojo admirably and displayed strong Kyokushin spirit. We had 3 students achieve 2nd Place in their division.
Special mention also goes to Oliver Roach for his tournament debut. Oliver is a 9th Kyu that fought a Shodan in Male 16-17 Full Contact and held his own in the fight, even though he copped a few strikes and elbow to the face and throat along the way.
Congratulations to all students. Thanks also goes to the coaching support from Shihan James Sidwell, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine, Sensei Ben Ng, Sensei Alex Lloyd, Sensei Mark Long and Sempai Josh Darley.
On the morning of Saturday March 22nd, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James Sidwell led a beach training session at Freshwater Beach in Sydney for students of Turramurra Dojo. Special guests included Sensei Mark Long from Taree Dojo and photographer Masumi Lipman.
The training included fitness and basic training on the sand and in the waves, and kumite in the waves, finishing with some water wheel kicks.
Thanks to Masumi for the photography, Sensei Mark’s partner Ken for his support, and for the parents who came to watch, cheer and dry off some damp young karateka after the surf kumite.
On Sunday March 16th, a contingent from KIMAA’s Turramurra Dojo attended the Kempo Ryu All Australia Championships.
Shihan James Sidwell and Masumi Lipman representing KIMAA with 6 students entering kata competitions.
Due to the summer break and an early year trip to Japan, Shihan James was only able to run several extra Saturday classes for the small contingent of participants. The competitors were supported by the instructors during class time as well as training diligently during the available Saturday classes.
On the day, the students all competed exceptionally well. Their performances executed the posture, technique, timing and kime (focus) expected to demonstrate understanding of the kata.
Sempai Maia Brown, Peter Zhu, Sophie Shi, Chloe Le Bescont, Sophie Chan and Ken Quang competed with spirit and focus. Out of six competitors KIMAA, achieved First, Second and Third placements. Osu.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 