Find Trusted Sports Coaches In Your Community

Gary Viccars, known as Shihancho, holds the esteemed rank of 7th Dan in Kyokushin Karate. He is a highly regarded martial artist with an international reputation, serving as a Branch Chief for the Australian Kyokushin Karate Association.

Shihancho Gary embarked on his martial arts journey in 1968 under the guidance of the legendary Bill Paauw in Geelong. Remarkably, he established his own dojo in Ocean Grove in 1970 when he was still a green belt. Over the years, he diligently progressed through the ranks, achieving significant milestones. He attained his Shodan (black belt) in 1973, Nidan in 1975, Sandan in 1979, and Yondan in 1983. Notably, in 1989, he became one of the pioneering Australians to undergo a physical examination for Godan (5th Dan).

Shihan Viccars achieved an extraordinary feat on November 7, 2006, when he successfully passed his Nanadan (7th Dan) examination. This historic event marked the first-ever 7th Dan test held on Australian soil and was conducted under the assessment of Kancho Yoshikazu Matsushima (9th Dan) and Hanshi John Taylor (9th Dan). His remarkable accomplishment earned him the esteemed title of Shihancho, designating him as a leader among Shihans.

Throughout his martial arts journey, Shihan Gary has consistently demonstrated exceptional proficiency in breaking techniques (tameshiwari). Together with Rowan Stephens and John Klose, he once shattered a total of 300 cement tiles in just 28 seconds. Furthermore, he became the second individual in Australia to execute a baseball bat break using a shin kick. In 1986, he completed the formidable 50-man kumite, becoming the first person to achieve this remarkable feat in the Kyokushinkai community.

Shihancho Gary Viccars is renowned for his unwavering dedication to Kyokushin Karate. His years of rigorous training, competitive excellence, and coaching have solidified his reputation as a courageous fighter and an influential leader within the Kyokushin community. He remains committed to the development of the Australian Kyokushin Karate Association through his Branch, the "Victorian Kyokushin Karate Association" (VKKA), and its members.

Sensei Bradley Wagner is a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate Sensei Bradley is respected both in Australia and internationally as the branch chief of the Australian Kyokushin Karate Association South Australia (AKKA SA) working directly under Kancho Yoshikazu Matsushima and Hanshi John Taylor of the IKO. Sensei Wagner is a committed karateka who fully focussed on teaching others in the style as well as continuing to follow his own training. South Australia is a growth area for Kyokushin, Sensei Bradley believes and he is committed to building a strong and progressive Kyokushin style under his guidance.


 Sensei Bradley Wagner's martial arts career first began in 2006 under the guidance of Sensei Owen Povey and he worked tirelessly to rise through the ranks of Kyokushin. This included travelling from his hometown to attend training over 100Kms away multiple times per week and eventually moving towns to be closer to the dojo allowing him to spend even more time focusing on his karate. During this time, he made several trips around Australia to further his studies including travelling all around SA and interstate to NSW, Victoria and Queensland for competitions, training camps and other events. 


Sensei Wagner earnt his Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt) in 2011 in a traditional Kyokushin grading which included the 40-round kumite (fighting) and Tameshiwari (board breaking) testing. In 2014 he was successful in gaining his Nidan (2nd Dan) grade and later tested and awarded the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan) in 2017, earning him the official title of Sensei.

 In 2019, Sensei Brad’s commitment, determination and perseverance was rewarded when he was elevated to the official status of IKO Branch Chief. Outside of his martial arts training, Sensei Bradley is passionate about helping others achieve their best and as a result spent several years studying to become a personal trainer. He works full time in his own business, BWPT, as a personal trainer and strength coach while continuing to develop his own skills and qualifications. This career path has allowed him to work with some of the best trainers and coaches in Australia to expand his knowledge in the field and compliment his martial arts. 


As a true testament to his courage and strength and a dedication to his continual improvement and development, Sensei Wagner still pushes the limits of his own training by testing himself with regular board & baseball bat breaking demonstrations and competing in Full contact Karate and strongman events around the country at both state and national level.

i Mark Szalajko is the esteemed founder and chief instructor of Bujutsu Martial Arts and Fitness Centre. With a remarkable career in both martial arts and policing, Sensei Mark's expertise and contributions have earned him recognition from the Parliament of NSW. In 2017, he was honored with the prestigious title of Renshi, denoting his status as a polished expert instructor.

Sensei Mark's martial arts journey commenced in 1987, within the confines of his high school hall, under the guidance of the Japanese Karate Association. Since that initial lesson, he has embarked on a global quest, traveling to numerous countries to expand his knowledge and skill. Annually, Sensei Mark makes a pilgrimage to Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate and Kobudo, for further training. It is worth noting that he holds the distinction of being one of the few Australian martial artists to have received grading in Okinawa. Throughout his journey, Sensei Mark has had the privilege of training with legendary martial arts figures such as Grand Master Kotaro Iha, Master Mitutada Iha, Grand Master Tsuyoshi Uechi, Grand Master Kiichi Nakamoto, Grand Master Toddy, Soke Richard Norton, Hanshi George Adams, Sensei Benny Urquidez, Jovan 'The Stinger' Stojanovski, Sensei O'Hara, Shihan Robert Slywa, and Professor Jean Jacques Machado.

Notably, Sensei Mark's professional career also encompasses an illustrious tenure as one of Australia's most senior police officers. He achieved the rank of Detective Superintendent with the New South Wales Police Force, becoming the youngest officer to attain such a position. After 23 years of service, Sensei Mark made the bold decision to follow his lifelong dream of becoming a full-time martial artist. During his time as a police officer, he undertook the responsibility of close personal protection for state and federal politicians, as well as visiting international dignitaries. He also led major operations that involved specialized units like the State Protection Group and the Riot Squad. On numerous occasions, Sensei Mark had to apply his martial arts skills in encounters with both unarmed assailants and those armed with blades and firearms. Throughout his police career, he received comprehensive training in unarmed combat, self-defense, control and restraint techniques, as well as close personal protection. Today, Sensei Mark imparts these valuable skills, acquired from his experience with the NSW Police Force, to his students at Bujutsu Martial Arts and Fitness Centre.

Sensei Mark's extensive exposure to criminal investigations involving homicides, sexual assaults, and robberies provides him with unique insight into the types of attackers and confrontations individuals may encounter on the streets or in their homes. Many of the techniques taught at Bujutsu have been developed by Sensei Mark himself, specifically tailored for use by police officers in Sydney's urban environment

Jack Rozinsky is an iconic figure in the world of martial arts, renowned as a 9th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and affectionately known as Australia's father of the art. His life's journey is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of martial arts.

Jack's martial arts journey began in Hungary, where he immersed himself in wrestling and gymnastics as a young man. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he fled Hungary during the tumultuous 1956 Hungarian Revolution and found refuge in Melbourne, Australia. Here, he became closely associated with the Hungarian community, which hosted a social club that included a Judo club. Jack seized the opportunity to train in this art, marking the start of his martial arts voyage in Australia.

As his journey continued, Jack joined the "Silver Top Taxi" club, where he had the privilege of training with esteemed instructors who helped shape his martial arts foundation. However, it was his introduction to Taekwondo through a visiting instructor named Master Chan-Yong KIM that would become a pivotal chapter in his martial arts story. Under Master Chan-Yong KIM's guidance, Jack advanced to the rank of brown belt, becoming one of Australia's first homegrown senior Taekwondo students.

In 1962, Jack Rozinsky took a momentous step by establishing his own Taekwondo club in St Kilda. This club marked a significant milestone, as it was among the first Taekwondo clubs in Australia. Under Jack's leadership, the club flourished, and many of its members would go on to become renowned martial arts instructors in their own right across various disciplines.

Jack Rozinsky's commitment to Taekwondo goes beyond the physical aspects of the art. He understands that Taekwondo is not just an Olympic sport but also a way of life, encapsulated by the true meaning of "Do" in Taekwondo. For Jack, Taekwondo carries a profound responsibility—to guide and encourage future generations. He firmly believes that there are no losers in life, only those who are too apprehensive to take a leap of faith.

One of the most significant outcomes of Jack's success is evident at the Melbourne Taekwondo Centre, where a family atmosphere prevails. Here, individuals of all ages practice and participate as a united family in a welcoming and supportive environment.

In conclusion, Jack Rozinsky's journey from Hungary to Australia, his dedication to Taekwondo, and his commitment to fostering a family-oriented martial arts community showcase his enduring legacy. He exemplifies the values of resilience, mentorship, and the indomitable spirit that martial arts can instill in individuals and communities.

Kristy Kirkwood 5th Dan Karate 


Kristy (Shihan) is a dedicated martial artist and the esteemed owner of Karate One NSW, a renowned martial arts school, a position she has held with pride since 2009. With a passion for martial arts that ignited in 1992, Kristy has dedicated over three decades to honing her craft and sharing her expertise with others.

Kristy's journey in martial arts has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, culminating in her attainment of the prestigious 5th Dan in 2022, a testament to her unwavering dedication and skill in the discipline.

As both a practitioner and an instructor, Kristy is committed to fostering a supportive and empowering environment for her students. She is deeply invested in their growth and development, constantly seeking innovative ways to help them unlock their potential and reach their personal and martial arts goals.

With her wealth of experience, unwavering dedication, and boundless enthusiasm for martial arts, Kristy Kirkwood continues to inspire and empower all those who walk through the doors of Karate One NSW.

Melinda Baksi is a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate. Sensei Melinda Baksi began her Kyokushin karate journey in 1987 in Hungary with Shihan Josef Borza www.borzakarate.hu and joined the Hungarian Army in 1997, fulfilling her childhood dream, and pursued her education at the Zrinyi Miklos National Defence University at Budapest. Melinda studied Kyokushin fighting with military self-defence & weapons under Major General (shihan) Furko www.haukis.com. Sensei Melinda was awarded the title of “Sport Officer”, due to her sporting achievements. When Hungary joined NATO in 1997, Melinda was the only woman to represent her country in a special joint exercise weapon demonstration to the NATO commanders and to the public. Sensei Melinda was required to demonstrate her self-defence and Karate skills against multiple armed attackers. Sensei Melinda trained new recruits in basic martial arts techniques as part of their training in the Army, she also underwent special military training as part of the ENSZ Peacekeeping Mission to Cyprus. Sensei Melinda Baksi holds a Personal Close Protection Officer licence, where her military and martial art experience benefits her greatly. She also enjoys shooting at her local pistol club. As a Marine Rescue volunteer Sensei Melinda has had the privilege of completing many different life saving courses including Advanced First Aid, Sea Survival, Fire Safety certified through Marine Rescue and is working with children checked. Sensei also attended special Uchi-Deshi live in training camps in Hungary, employing intensive physical training prior to competitions. Sensei Melinda was a member of the Hungarian National Championship team from 2003, winning several tournaments and also competed in Australia on a national level, with great results. In 2005, Sensei took part in a winter camp in Hungary, and she completed a 100 kumite (fight test), fighting with only men. Sensei Melinda’s extensive experience has given her the skills to train children to great success in competition in Hungary, where her team competed and won in both national and junior Olympic level competitions. Sensei Melinda attended an Uchi Deshi (live-in dojo) training program with Shihan Artur Hovhanissyan in Japan in 2018 and visited shihan again in 2019 full time, dedicating her time fully to the study and training of Kyokushin. Sensei Melinda began teaching in 1998 and her focus as an instructor is on technical proficiency, fitness and fighting techniques. She ran kids programs, teen and adult novice and intermediate programs overseas and Australia. Sensei Melinda has gained invaluable experience teaching kids with various physical and mental challenges such as ADHD, vision impairment, and mild autism (to name a few). Sensei Melinda is also approved to teach disabled children through the NDIS scheme. Sensei Melinda regularly attends international seminars and black belt conferences held in Japan and Australia, and has been trained by the highest levels of instructors from all corners of the Kyokushin World. She enjoy’s all aspects of Kyokushin karate and has particular interest in self-defence and the richness and discipline of the Japanese culture. Sensei Melinda’s Dojo and Organisation provides kids with competition opportunities in Australia as well as overseas. They also offer Kyokushinkai Karate camps during school holidays, as well as seminar weekends in Australia with local and international instructors, and for those children competing in Japan, also the privilege of attending the Kyokushin founder’s memorial ceremony at Mount Mitsumine Training Camp. www.portkarate.com