Grading tests were held at Turramurra Dojo for the Knox Grammar Senior School and Prep School Karate classes on Saturday March 9th. Shihan Howard Lipman, who has been the head instructor of the Knox classes since 2005, judged the performance of the boys on the day and was pleased with the standard displayed by the Knox groups. Click here to read more about the Knox Karate program.
March 9th was the final sports session for Term 1. Students are advised to collect their belt and certificate from Shihan Lipman before or during one of the public classes. Click here to see the Turramurra Dojo timetable.
The results for both grading tests are available for download below. Congratulations to all those who achieved new grades.
At the invitation of Sempai Mark McFadden and Sempai Jon Ellis, some members of Aspley Dojo travelled from Brisbane to the New South Wales Far North Coast. Sempai Rob James, Jermaine and Jim had a fantastic afternoon training with members from the Ballina and Lismore Dojos at the Lismore training hall.
Kata bunkai, ippon sanbon and jyu kumite were covered in the first session. After a short break, Sempai Mark and Sempai Jon taught the Queensland guests some Kobudo, including basics and some self defence techniques. The Aspley Dojo students were very grateful for the time given by the KIMAA North Coast karateka, and look forward to future joint training sessions.
Sempai Mark McFadden of KIMAA’s North Coast Dojos and Sempai Rob James of Aspley Dojo visited Sydney for a weekend of training. On the Friday, the two visiting instructors trained with black belts from Turramurra and Annangrove at Shihan Lipman’s dojo. At the end of this class, Sempai Rob was awarded his certificate for Shodan (1st Dan) in Kyokushin Karate, formalising his status as a KIMAA accredited black belt.
Sempai Mark and Sempai Rob spent the Saturday training with Shihan Cunningham at Annangrove Dojo. The focus was on kata bunkai, in particular on Seienchin and Tensho. The session finished by introducing Sempai Rob to Kobudo and going through an exercise with the Bo staff.
The following Sunday morning was the first Kobudo session of the year for Sydney students, also held at Annangrove Dojo. Sempai Mark and Sempai Rob trained with the class, led by Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham. Sensei Mark Shelmerdine taught Sempai Rob further basics of the Bo and the first kata. Having the head instructors of the Sydney, North Coast and Brisbane KIMAA branches train together was a valuable exercise and will benefit their respective students.
Shihan Lipman is making preparations for a trip to Okinawa in November with a group of black belts to train in Kobudo with Sensei Hokama, as well as further Karate training. More information will be announced down the track.
The highlight of the year was undoubtedly Sensei Tetsuhiro Hokama’s visit to Australia in September. The 10th Dan master of Karate bunkai and Kobudo weapons spent a weekend with students from the four New South Wales Dojos, developing the skills of the senior grades and introducing basic techniques to beginners.
At the end of the weekend, Sensei Hokama awarded new black belt grades in Kobudo to Shihan Howard Lipman (6th Dan), Shihan Rick Cunningham (5th Dan), Sensei Mark Shelmerdine (3rd Dan), Sensei Paul Finnerty (2nd Dan) and Sempai James Campbell (1st Dan). Overall Sensei Hokama was most impressed with the standard of the KIMAA students at Kobudo.
Sensei Paul teaches the Bo to the beginners
Sempai James Campbell vs Sempai Jessica Den with the Bo, September 2012
Sempai Jon Ellis, Sensei James Sidwell and others with the Sai
Group Shot
Sensei Hokama & Shihan Lipman
Shihan Cunningham & Sensei Hokama
Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham followed up Sensei’s visit by travelling to Okinawa in November for further training. The two Shihans also took Sensei to learn boomerang throwing and visit Jenolan Caves during his Australian trip. Photos of these have been added to the September article since it was originally published.
Shihan Cunningham with some of Aspley Dojo’s new students
National All Styles trophies won by North Coast KIMAA students
Members of Lismore and Ballina Dojos came down to Sydney for the grading and Sensei Hokama’s Seminar. Students from the North Coast also had great success in October, competing back-to-back in two tournaments. Saturday October 20th saw some compete in the Australian Kyokushin Karate Association tournament, and the following day in the National All Styles contest, both in Queensland. Many won places and trophies, and all represented KIMAA admirably.
Late 2012 also saw the launch of this new website. This new website aims to provide both visitors and members of KIMAA with accessible and comprehensive information on Kyokushin Karate and Kobudo. News articles, upcoming events, announcements, and the latest photo and video galleries across all five New South Wales and Queensland Dojos will be made instantly available to you. For live updates, you can click the “Follow” button in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen to receive an email notification every time a new event or gallery is posted. Otherwise, just keep checking in.
Dates for the Dojo closure periods are available in the calendar. The KIMAA instructors wish all a safe and happy holiday season. See you at training in 2013!
Aspley Dojo held its first grading on Tuesday November 27th. Four students were able to grade, which is excellent progress after the Dojo’s opening in September.
Kerry and Jermaine were graded to Senior Orange Belt (9th Kyu), Jim to Orange Belt (10th Kyu) and Sidney to children’s level-orange belt (10th Kyu Level 1).
The students received their new grades from Sempai Rob James and Shihan Rick Cunningham on December 1st. Shihan Cunningham was able to present the grades during his visit to Queensland to help run a Kyokushin seminar for Aspley Dojo’s students.
Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia 