Shihancho, Gary Viccars is 7th Dan in Kyokushin Karate Shihancho (leader of Shihan's) Gary Viccars is a well respected martial artist internationally and a Branch Chief for the Australian Kyokushin Karate Association. Shihancho Gary began training in 1968 under the tutelage of the legendary Bill Paauw in Geelong and opened his own dojo in Ocean Grove in 1970 as a green belt. Gary gained his black belt (Shodan) in 1973, Nidan in 1975, Sandan in 1979, and Yondan in 1983 and in 1989 he became one of the first Australians to ever physically undergo a test for Godan (5th Dan). Shihan Viccars joined the ranks of the truly elite Kyokushin instructors on 7th November 2006 when he passed his examination for Nanadan (7th Dan). He was graded by Kancho Yoshikazu Matsushima 9th Dan and Hanshi John Taylor 9th Dan. This was the first time in history that a test for 7th Dan was held on Australian soil. He remains one of the few people in the World to actually undergo a physical test for 7th Dan, earning him the title of Shihancho (leader of Shihan’s) Shihan Gary has always been recognized as one of Kyokushinkai's best breaking (tameshiwari) technicians. He, together with Rowan Stephens and John Klose, once demolished a total of 300 cement tiles in 28 seconds and he was also the second person in Australia to perform the baseball bat break with a shin kick. In 1986 Shihan Gary completed the 50 man kumite (fights) with other notable to become the first to complete the feat! Many years of high performance training, competing and coaching has earned Shihancho Viccars a reputation of strength and courage both as a fighter and a leader in the Kyokushin community! Shihancho Gary Viccars is committed to the development of the AKKA via his Branch the "Victorian Kyokushin Karate Association" (VKKA) and its members.

Matt Wickham is a 8th Dan Black belt in Karate and Black Belt in BJJ. Sensei Matt Wickham is a well know martial arts figure in the Australian Martial Arts industry, having built a strong reputation delivering quality martial arts programs. Matt is endeared by the community of Echuca where he has served tirelessly and passionately for over 15 years. Matt is a role model to many and a strong coach who leads his team with an open mind, always looking to improve on his brand and create the best program in the bisness. Sensei Matt is owner and founder of Wickham’s Martial Arts Centre has been running Martial Arts schools since 1987. He has wealth of knowledge and experience in many styles of Martial Arts and having explored vigorously the latest methodologies available.

Jordan Micokovski is a 5th Degree Black Belt. Sensei Jordan Micakovski was born in Capari (pronounced as sapari) in the Republic of Macedonia on the 22 of November 1952. He arrived in Australia in 1970 at the age of 17. Who has trained in many forms of martial arts such as Roman wrestling, Karate, Teak won do, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Goju ryu karate, and Kosho ryu Kempo. Since arriving in Australia he has trained with one the founding fathers of Karate in Australia Mr Merv Oakley Sensei Jordan trained with Mr Oakley for more than 5 years. And than went on to train in other Art forms. Sensei Jordan has a black belt in Taekwon do and a 4th degree in Kempo Karate. Jordan is highly regarded by his students and the community that he serves and is also highly respected by the martial arts industry for his unwaivering and loyal service to students. Sensei Jordan owns and operates his martial arts school, United Kempo in Hoxton in Sydney. Together with his sons he has build a strong following of dedicated students who have many stories of Sensei Jordans outstanding work. Jordan has produced over 50 State champions and over 30 world champions. To this day Sensei Jordan continues to train and produce some of the best fighters in Australia. With his recent success in the 2002 WOMAA world cup were he single headedly took 15 students from united Kempo martial arts academy over to Hawaii. And brought back over 55 medals and one grand championship and made a new record in Australian martial arts with the highest medal tally on an athlete to medal ratio. Even more recent he has won a high honour of local Australian of the year from Liverpool council on Australia day 2004 for his contributions to the local community and martial arts. Sensei Jordan has been training for over 30 years and plains on training for 30 more. Sensei Jordan has devoted his life to martial arts training as he continues to teach for the love of the sport/art and to share his knowledge to all those who seek it.

Robert Frost is an 8th Dan Black Belt (Grandmaster) in Taekwondo. Grand Master Frost was born at Gosford on the Central Coast of New South Wales and spent his early years growing up at Morisset on the western side of Lake Macquarie. Grandmaster Frost has trained in a variety of martial art styles including Jeet Kune Do, Goju Ryu Karate and Kyokushin Karate but his love of Taekwondo was the style that won him over. In about 1982, Grand Master Frost partnered with Rhee Taekwondo Newcastle/Hunter. Through his martial arts shop he not only manufactured martial arts uniforms and the diversity of his outlet also provided security dog equipment to international clients including Papua New Guinea. A busy period, as he was teaching Taekwondo 4 plus times per week, and overseeing 10 Dojangs. In the 80’s Grand Master Frost (as a silent partner) with his friend, well-known karate instructor and writer Glen Levick promoted the ‘Hunter Valley Challenge’ a series of full-contact martial arts tournaments in Newcastle. The tournaments were a great success drawing competitors from NSW, QLD and Victoria. Grand Master Frost also made several visits to Hong Kong and Taiwan during this time (on buying trips for his martial arts shop) and took the opportunity to try several Kung Fu styles and refresh some of the lost knowledge from his childhood training days. Throughout the ’80s Grand Master was also involved in theatre and attended numerous courses and workshops in acting, voice production, stage fighting and stunt work, clowning and circus skills and Peking Opera. He also learned about building sets, operating lights and sound and choreographing fight scenes. Grand Master acted in a number of productions but preferred to design and build the sets and operate the lights. Choreographing the fight scenes and forging replica swords and knives (utilising some of the skills learned from his Grandfather) were his favourite tasks. Around 1994 Grand Master Frost presented a weekly series on Self Defence on NBN Television’s ‘This Morning’ program. In 1995 Grand Master Frost walked the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea for the first time. Grandmaster Frost owns and operates the Toogee Martial Arts Academy, and directs a team of committed coaches.

Rod Purcell is a 4th Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate. Sensei Rod Purcell comes from a strong lineage of quality instructors within the Kyokushinkaikan (Organisation) such as Brian Ellison and Gary Viccars. Sensei Rod is a proud Kyokushin practitioner who believes in the life changing power that comes from hard training in the style. As the senior instructor of Geelong Karate INC, Sensei Rod operates the Norlane Dojo in Geelong ate the Waterworld complex and has developed a strong following over the many years of leading students. Kyokushin Karate has a reputation for being a hard style, and is well respected for its effictiveness in a real life self defence situation. Sensei Rod is true to the art and dedicated to providing all students with the opportunity to be the best they can be. Sensei Rod's longevity in the martial arts is testiment to his committment to deliver the best program around.

Michael Quin is an 8th Dan in Karate! Kyoshi Mike Quin established his martial arts school “Firestorm Martial Arts” in 1991 after many years of training in the Zen Do Kai karate System. The school has grown significantly over the years as providing consistent and high-quality martial arts to his community. The same spirit and enthusiasm that the Firestorm School was built on still exists today and this being evident in the strong and loyal following that the organisation is renown. Mike Quinn is a committed martial artist who is passionate about ensuring the quality of training provided over the past 30 years continues well into the future. Together with his team of black belt coaches he intends to continue to build a strong martial arts program that provides community benefits for years to come. In his own words' "I am committed to providing a supportive and challenging environment that acknowledges and caters to members capabilities and capacities and encourages members to seek out a greater self-concept and to hone potential!" Mike Quin #MartialArtsBayswater #KarateBayswater https://www.firestormmartialarts.com.au