Shihan George Kolovos is one of Australia's most influential martial artist leaders. He commenced his martial arts career in the Kyokushin discipline of Karate in 1975. George trained at the then head quarters of Kyokushin Karate, he swiftly progressed through the ranks, obtaining a black belt in two and a half years, a process which ordinarily takes at least 5 years. By this time George had felt it necessary to create his own centre focused solely to martial arts. He had several styles of martial arts in his arsenal and various national titles for both Kyokushin Karate and Kickboxing. From humble beginnings renting a room at Melbourne City Baths, Melbourne Martial Arts now operates as an internationally renowned independent training organisation. In 2004 George brought Muay Thai into Melbourne by running fight night promotions called Brute Force. Fighters from across Europe, China, Thailand and Japan have all competed in his shows. In 2014 George and other leading Victorian promoters of the combat sport industry created what is now the only Amateur Association in Victoria called VAMAA (Victorian Amateur Martial Arts Association) responsible for developing the sport from the junior level. He has staged the Victorian Kyokushin Karate Championships since 1987 every year without fail. And every 3 years the Australian Kyoskushin Championships. In 2015 when the Victorian Government legalised the cage for MMA, George was the second promoter to hold an MMA show in Victoria.
Kaicho Narker is the Chief Instructor and Director of Ashihara Karate South Africa and the Ashihara Karate International Organisation. Kaicho Narkers’ experience, expertise and training history positions him well as a world authority in his unique and effective martial art style. It comes as no surprise to the international martial arts fraternity Kaicho Narker is now such a prominent figure in the world of martial arts. The technical ability, historical knowledge combined with a rare modern scientific approach to training places him as a world leader in karate. Hoosain Narker began his training at a young age and drew extensive knowledge from several martial art styles including Kyokushinkai, Shukokai and Taekwondo. Ashihara Karate is a modern style, with a new and dynamic approach to training. Although modern, it retains the positive aspects of traditional karate, such as Kata and Kihon and of course, discipline. The Kata’s are all fighting oriented and more importantly, functional. Kaicho Hoosain Narker is a man who has changed the lives of many thousands of practitioners around the globe, his passion for the benefits that traditional karate brings as well as his influence, leadership and guidance will ensure the Ashihara style will continue to have a positive influence on many lives for years to come.
Kon Papaioannou is a high performance martial arts coach! Kon Pappy's martial arts career spans over 30 years. He has competed at National and International levels in Wrestling, Sports Jiu-Jitsu, Pankration, Sambo, MMA and Boxing. Kon has successfully trained over 20 state and national champions. He is the current coach for the World Federation Pangration Athlima and a former 4-time World veteran's champion. Well respected among all his peers and community, Kon leads buy example, both on and off the mats. As a practitioner and coach, Kon can be described as a true master in a variety of martial arts systems which has helped him to offer one of the best martial arts training facilities around. Kon is owner and chief instructor at the “Fight Lab” in Tempe, Sydney New South Wales. Kon began his martial arts journey at a young age and grew to become a well-known competition fighter participating in competition circuits all around the world including India, USA, Europe, other countries in Asia and Australia were all countries where Kon was able to successfully compete and hone his skills to become one of the best inter-style martial artists around. Kon fights, MMA, Muay Thai, Koshiki, Kyokushin, BJJ and wrestling, something very rare in the world of martial arts, securing a place for him as a real legend of the industry. Kon's life experience’s is one of the reasons he is such a popular coach. The most important of Kon’s qualities certainly must be the care and personal attention he offers all of his clients. As a qualified sports coach and personal trainer Kon can provide effective programs that range from weight loss, general fitness, strength and conditioning, self-defence, martial arts from beginner to high performance. Through Kon’s talent as a coach he has been able to enrich the lives of many thousands of students, privileged enough to have passed through his doors. Kon Papaioannou is a coach who understands how to take any individual to the top of their game!
Shihan Marcus Hinschberger is a 5th dan in Shotokan karate Shihan Marcus renown karate champion who is a career martial artiist, teaching traditional Shotokan Karate from his dojo in Sacramento California. Shihan Marcus is an industry leader who offers training and professional development to martial arts coaches around the world through his online education portal karatecoaching.com. His passion for delivering high quality curriculum is evident in his own school as he draws students from near and far with his exemplary and innovative style. Shihan Marcus' dedicated students have excelled in their progress with many going on to become champions in their own right and for rest assured in knowing that they are recieving an undiluted martial art that will stand the test of time. Shihan Marcus Hinschinberger is committed to the mental, physical and spiritual development of his students through the practice of traditional Shotokan karate.
Nick Noordink is a 3rd Dan in Karate. Sensei Nick is a well known and highly respected martial arts teacher from Brisbane Australia. Sensei Nick began his martial arts journey in early 2000 and after grading for Shodan (1st Dan) he decided to make karate an even bigger part of his life by teaching and becoming involved in the largest tournament circuit in Australia, the National All Styles – NAS. Sensei Nick’s approach to training clearly reflects tradition, hard work, and integrity. Sensei Nick is a highly proficient martial artist who believes that when teaching is grounded and systemised you have a much greater chance of establishing success with students and as a result have a program rich in providing positive community values. In Sensei Nick’s own words – “We strive to create an environment that supports parents and helps children to grow and develop their character. We encourage families to train together, saving precious time. A safe and enjoyable atmosphere, where everyone is welcome.” It is well documented how Karate trains the body and the mind and provides tools for life! At Sensei Nick’s Dojo “Bonsai Karate” he has established programs that reach out to all members of the community, from classes for children all the way to older adults, and raw beginners to high performance, Bonsai Karate has it all. All of Nick’s gradings have been conducted under the highest scrutiny via the Kenshinkan International Karate Organisation directed by Australian Budo Karate legend Shihan Jim Casey. Bonsai Karate is situated in Albany Creek, which is a suburb of the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland.
Eduard (Eddie) Emin is a 9th Dan in Kyokushin Karate. Hanshi Eddie Emin is one of the founding fathers of Kyokushin Karate in Australia. Hanshi has leterally trained tens of thousands of students during his tenure as a coach and is the man responsible for establishing the careers of many key martial arts figures in the country. Hanshi Eddie began his martial arts career in the 50's. His practice included, boxing, wrestling, powerlifting, judo and Taekwondo. It was in the late 60's when Shihan Eddie travelled to Japan to be trained under the wing of the legendary Sosai Masutatsu Oyama. Hanshi Eddie and mas Oyama became good friends and remained that way until the passing of Oyama in 1993. Since then Hanshi Eddie has remained loyal to Sosai Oyama and to his teaching. Hanshi Eddiie has been rigidly devoted to the legacy left by Oyama and continues to promote and endorse the system to his students far and wide. Hanshi Eddie has enjoyed the development of Kyokushin Karate through the years and seen its many seasons of change since Oyama's passing. One thing however remains the same, Hanshi Eddie is and always has been a father and supported of all of his students, he provides the training necessary to help one forge an indomidible spirit, but also there to assist his students through times of hardship and adversity. Hanshi Eddie is truly a man who cares for his students. Internationally, Hanshi Eddie Emin is a stalwart within the martial arts community. His friendship is saught by many and his passion for Karate is welcomed by all! Hanshi Eddie Emin has made a very significant contribution to the martial arts world in Australia and the betterment of the lives of many many people. Moorabin Kyokushin Karate Melbourne, Australia