News

Senior Grading – June 22, 2024

KIMAA held our June Kyokushin senior grading at Turramurra Honbu Dojo. Instructors and students from Turramurra Dojo, Lismore Dojo and Taree Dojo attended.

The four Shihans of KIMAA – Shihan Idir Bahamid, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine, Shihan James Sidwell and Shihan Mark McFadden – assessed the participating karateka. The grading lasted over 5 hours, testing students on their basics, kata, fitness, knowledge and kumite.

At the end of the grading, Sempai Maia Brown and Sempai Narmie Thambipillay were graded to 1st Dan (Shodan) in Kyokushin Karate. Sempai Maia completed her 40 fights for black belt, after many years of devoted training and teaching with KIMAA. Sempai Narmie was already a Shodan in Kyokushin, but after an extended absence from karate, she wanted to ‘start over’ and began training at KIMAA a few years ago as a white belt and has since raced up through the grades.

Congratulations to all who completed the grading. Some of the instructors and students enjoyed a celebratory dinner afterward at Hanuman Thai.

Knox Gradings – June 15, 2024

The students of the Knox Karate sports program, from Knox Grammar Senior and Preparatory Schools, participated in Kyokushin Karate gradings on Saturday June 15th.

Knox Karate coaches Sensei Mario Bonetta, Sempai Angus Sweeney and Sempai Trent Lim ran the grading, with assistance from Sensei Alex Lloyd. KIMAA Vice-Chairman Shihan James Sidwell assessed the students and oversaw proceedings.

The combined junior and senior classes of the high school completed a 2.5-hour grading and the prep school class completed a 1.5-hour grading. The students displayed enthusiasm and determination during the morning.

Hanshi Howard Lipman will review Shihan James’s marking and results will be made available through class in due course. Well done to all for their efforts.

KIKO Kata Tournament – June 2, 2024

Students of Turramurra Dojo across a variety of ages and Kyu grades competed in the KIKO Kata Tournament at the Robyn Webster Sports Centre on Sunday June 2nd. The students were supervised on the day by Shihan James Sidwell and Sensei Alex Lloyd.

KIMAA students performed their Kyokushin Karate kata very well, winning a large number of placements in various categories. All students displayed strong technical competence in their kata, showing great kime (focus). Any student in a group comprising more than four participants, if they were selected as a finalist based on their initial score, had to perform their kata a second time to secure their final position on the podium.

The following KIMAA karateka participated:

  • KATA 7 YEARS & UNDER
  • Mau Aun Quang (1st Place)
  • Shivan Thambipillay (2nd Place)
  • KATA 8-9 YEARS (Group 1)
  • Christopher Paunescu (1st Place)
  • KATA 8-9 YEARS (Group 2)
  • Sophie Chan (1st Place)
  • Isabella Hicks (2nd Place)
  • KATA 10-11 YEARS
  • Aimee Kim (2nd Place)
  • Chloe Le Bescont (3rd Place)
  • Sathyan Thambipillay (4th Place)
  • KATA 12-14 YEARS (Advanced)
  • Maia Brown (1st Place)
  • Arjuna Veerasingam (4th Place)
  • KATA 16 YEARS & OVER (Advanced)
  • Narmie Thambipillay

Taree Dojo Inaugural Grading – April 12, 2024

On Friday April 12th, 2024, the first Kyokushin Karate grading was conducted for students of Taree Dojo.

Dojo Operator Sensei Mark Long was most pleased with the students’ efforts. The grading participants were all from the Kids class, and demonstrated various skills including:

  • Warm-ups
  • Uniform management – belt tying and uniform folding
  • Kyokushin – meaning, dojo etiquette and procedures
  • Technique – stances, punches, blocks, kicks and movement
  • Kata – the first two Kyokushin kata.

The stuedents were 9 and 10 years old. Sensei Mark was delighted with their efforts and attitude throughout the grading. Their focus and energy levels remained high throughout the 2-hour grading. Well done to all.

Kempo Ryu Karate Championships – March 17, 2024

KIMAA’s Turramurra Dojo had two participants compete in the Kempo Ryu Karate Championships on Sunday March 17th.

Sempai Josh Darley and Trent Lim both competed in the Full Contact Open Adult Lightweight Division. Shihan James Sidwell led the KIMAA delegation, with Sensei Ben Ng and Sempai Angus Sweeney also acting as coaches and support.

Trent fought two fights, giving great gusto in each bout despite losing both fights.

Sempai Josh dominated his division, winning First place.

Hanshi Howard Lipman commended both fighters for their efforts on the day, and offered congratulations to Sempai Josh for his win.

Senior Grading – March 16, 2024

KIMAA held our March Kyokushin senior grading at Turramurra Honbu Dojo. Attendees from Lismore Dojo and Taree Dojo as well as Turramurra participated.

Sensei Ben Ng conducted the grading while Hanshi Howard Lipman assessed the students, assisted by Shihan Mark Shelmerdine and Shihan James Sidwell.

The grading covered all the usual key points – kihon, kata, fitness and kumite. Basics were covered extensively, as well as partner work, combinations, ido geiko and senior techniques. Kata of all level were performed by those attempting new grades.

The karateka from Lismore – Evelyn, Annabelle, Letitia and James – showed great spirit in their fights, including up to 15 bouts for Evelyn and Annabelle, who were grading for 2nd Kyu (Brown Belt).

Congratulations to all those who graded. In addition to several Kyu grades, three new Black Belt grades were awarded:

At the end of the grading, Shihan Mark Shelmerdine presented Hanshi Howard Lipman and his wife Masumi a photobook of the 2023 Japan trip, as a group thank-you gift for the tour. Afterwards, Hanshi presented Shihan Idir, Shihan Mark McFadden and Sensei Alex their new grades.