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
Richie Ivory is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and accomplished MMA coach Richie Ivory began his martial arts training at an early age, his father supported his efforts and encouraged the young athlete as he competed in Irish and European Championships in Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. In 2005 Richie deided to expand his knowledge and left for Australia where he continued his Brazilian jiu jitsu training under the Ben Hall / Carlson Gracie BJJ Academy. It wasnt long before Richie was noticed as he began to make a strong impact in the local BJJ and MMA competitions. Richie was offered a job to manage the Bendigo Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Bendigo Central Victoria where he drew a large number of students, many of whom went on to chalk up some significant wins in the tournament circuits. Richie himself entered some of Australia's most significant MMA circuits and became a local celebrity amongst enthusiasts. Richie Ivory is not just a champion fighter he is also a family man who needed to move his Irish family back home and continue down his chosen path of teaching martial arts. Richie Ivory opened his school in Gorey County Wexford, and it has grown ever since. His wealth of knowledge and compassion for his students have made him a well sought after coach on two continents. Richie Ivory believes in ethical and professional practices in martial arts, and is an advocate for child safety and positive physical and mental development through martial arts. Richie has a variety of titles in Brazilian jiu Jitsu and muay thai and competes at a professional level in MMA. Richie has already trained a very strong stable of fighters in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, many going on to compete well in regional and state titles. Richie operates the Richi Ivory Jiu Jitsu Academy in Ireland where he has already gained a great following that includes junior and senior students.
Mr. Joseph Walker has always been known as Joey Walker is the Grandmaster of the Kifaru Karate Jitsu organization. Grandmaster Joey Walker is a retired Police Lieutenant from the Reno Police Department and he has served with distinction as Watch Commander, Detective Sergeant in Internal Affairs, Instructor to Defensive Tactics Instructors, Honor Guard and DARE officer. He has served in the Dignitary Protection unit, providing sole responsibility for the safety of President Gerald Ford, Merle Evers-Williams, Bernice King and Martin Luther King III. Mr. Walker has received numerous advanced law enforcement credentials from the FBI, LAPD, Los Angeles Sheriff, and developed, with FBI approval, the Washoe County School District’s School Violence Preparedness program. Master Joey Walker has extensive martial arts training and holds two World Championship Karate titles. He has served as an expert witness in Martial Arts and Use of Force cases in both Civil and Criminal cases. Mr. Walker provides outstanding instruction in the martial arts, with a unique perspective on the true practical applications in the use of force. Joey Walker’s interest in the Martial Arts began from watching the television series The Green Hornet starring Bruce Lee whose fighting style captured his interest. Joey started training in Shotokan Karate and Tae Kwon Do in December of 1970. In 1971, Joey Walker met and began training with Alexander Archie who taught classes in a friend’s living room and at that time taught under the banner of Shudo-Kan Karate. From that time forward, Joey became a loyal and consistent student of that discipline. It was Archie’s belief that students should have the opportunity to incorporate any practical movement from any system. Alexander Archie frequently took his top students to other schools and disciplines to measure their skills and abilities and to see what if anything those other disciplines had to offer. Joey Walker quickly rose through the ranks and by 1974 attained his 3rd Kyu Brown Belt. It was at that time that Joey was introduced to Master Byong Yu of the Moo Duk Kwon Tae Kwon Do system. All of the advanced belts directly under Alexander Archie began periodic training under Master Yu. Joey also met a musician and martial artist named Chip Steen (then a student of Steve Sanders of the B.K.F.) who instructed Joey when Chip’s band “The Checkmates” came to the Reno/Lake Tahoe area. By June of 1975, Joey achieved his first degree Blackbelt in Shudo-Kan Kifaru Karate. Having heard of the reputation of the Black Karate Federation from Chip Steen as well as watching their tournament Karate champions, Joey Walker was very anxious to train with members of the system. In July of 1975, Joey travelled to Los Angeles, California to train with the founders of the B.K.F., Steve Sanders and Donnie Williams. In May of 1977, Joey attained his first degree Blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do and Chinese Kenpo from Master Donnie Williams. To this date, Joey maintains a close and personal relationship with Master Steve (Sanders) Muhammad and Master-Pastor Donnie Williams. Joey Walker began his tournament career on a less than consistent winning record. From principles learned from Alexander Archie, Stanford McNeal, Steve Sanders and Donnie Williams, Joey has won numerous State, National, and World Karate Championships competing against and beating Tournament champions and personalities: Alvin Prouder, Billy Blanks, Johnny Gyro, Mel Cherry, Mark Foster, Luther Secrease, Tony (Satch) Williams, George Chung, and Danny Bonaduchi. Joey has written his newest book, Shots Fired under the name Joseph B. Walker. This survival guidebook delivers techniques and tactics that will help you survive an active shooting.
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.
Grant Banister is Founder and Chief Instructor of Bukido Karate. Shidoshi Grant Bannister (shidoshi meaning, stable and independant leader) started his training in Martial Arts in 1974 under the San Chi Kai Karate group led by Shihan Mal Lomax. Shidoshi Grant has spent most of his adult life teaching karate for the benefit of his students of which many have gone on to earn their own successes in Australia and Internationally. Shidoshi Grant Bannister is responsible for changing the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of students through his heartful and articulate approach to martial arts. Grant believes in the profound effect that a well balance martial arts program has on the community when taught correctly. Shidoshi Grant Bannister has spent most of his career fefining what he considers to be his most important students, children! Grant knows that when when a child learns the value of respect for others, and committing to healthy practices early in life, their lives will be on track early and the best possible life changes are in motion. As a master of the traditional aspects of Karate and Kobudo (weapons) Shidoshi Grant bannister is able to deliver the best martial arts training around and possibly the best childrens program in the industry. Bukido Karate is located in Lilydale, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Peter Hogath is a 2nd Dan in Karate Sempai Peter has been training in Kyokushin since 1973 under Hanshi Eddie Ermin and Shihan Peter Volke. Known as a passionate tournament competitor in his time fighting the tournament circuit in Australia from 1974 until 1977, Sempai Peter has recently returned to Shinkyokushin after a hiatus. He has dedicated himself to Shinkyokushin’s growth in South Australia by opening Ironside Dojo in his garage with the aim of producing top practitioners in the art. Sempai Peter’s ethos is on strong and focused training, with a rediscovered joy for the applications of karate in a self defence situation. With his focus on the junior class instruction, Sempai Peter provides a welcoming family environment for people of all races, nations, religions, creeds and identities. Sempai Peter has also worked in security, and was a serving member of the Australian Defence Force from 1970 until 1973. He is a qualified level 3 First Aid Responder and maintains a DHS Working with Children Check, as well as his internationally recognised judges and referee training.