Sensei Enoka Periera is a 3rd Dan in Karate Sensei Mali Periera (known as Sensei Mali) is a martial arts practitioner, instructor and, administrator for the International Sabaki Karate-do TESHINKAI. Sensei Mali is a major contributor to the growth and development of full contact karate in Sri Lanka, brough about by her influence as a community leader of which her work in local government certainly plays a welcomming hand. Sensei Mali knows the importance of bringing communities together through martial arts training. Sensei Mali works together with her husband Shihan Upali and son Sensei Inupa, to bring a quality and inclusive martial art style that welcomes people from all socio economic backgrounds, religions and culture. Members of the Christian, Muslim, Bhuddist and Tamil communities enjoy the welcome provided by the club and the hard training that most certainly turns many individuals lives around for the better. The respect and loyalty that Sensei mali recieves from her students is well deserved. Her influence and leadership has just begun and her service and place in the world of Karate is exactly what she wants to make a difference in the world. Delivering martial arts training plays an important role in building the lives of young and old, rich and poor. Sensei Mali understands this all too well and has always made herself available to all practitioners for advice and guidance. The ages of her students range from the very young to the elderly, from people who are comfortable financially and to those who can afford very little. Through her committment as a leader she has been able to make provision to help all people regarless of circumstance. Sensei Enoka Eeriera is welcomed to Coach Check as not only a quality martial arts teacher but as a major influence, role model and leader to both women and men alike in the world Karate scene.

Jonathan Gleeson is a 5th Dan Black belt in Karate. Renshi Jonathon has been training in the martial arts since 1991 and has dedicated his practice to Kaizen (freestyle) Karate which originated in Maitland NSW. Jonathan has also achieved 1st Dan ranks in Ryu Kyu Kobudo Kai, and in Doce Pares Arnis, Eskrima & Kali. Seeking to further his knowledge and broaden his experience, Jonathan has also trained in the following martial art styles - Muay Thai at the Phuket Muay Thai Camp in Thailand Kung Fu at the Bu Bi Zhen International Kung Fu School on the banks of the Li River in Yangshuo China Aikido at the Aikikai Hombu Tokyo Japan under the instructions of Doshu Ueshiba Goju-Ryu Karate at the Doushikan Hombu in Kyoto Japan under the instruction of Bokuhara Gen Sensei (8th Dan JKF) and Bokuhara Michiyo (5th Dan JKF) Kendo in Kyoto Japan, with Shibagaki Haruo Sensei 7th Dan K.S.K Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in which he has received instruction from Royler Gracie Renshi Jonathan is a passionate about martial arts and in particular the benefits that his particular form of karate brings to students both young and old. Johnathon believes that learning karate not just strengthens the body, it also tempers the soul and forges an indominable spirit that reflects into all aspects of a persons life. Jonathan competes and referees at ISKA tournaments where he holds the position of Head Referee and Arbitrator, and was presented with the award for Referee of the year in 2006. In 2009 Jonathan was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame as the Martial Arts Instructor of the Year. In July 2019 Jonathan acted as the Head Coach for the Australian Team to the US Open World Martial Arts Championships the largest Martial Arts tournament held annually. At this event Jonathan and his team of 30 athletes were so successful that every team member returned home with at least a first place from one of their events, with no one placing lower then 5th in any event. Jonathan is an accredited instructor with both the Martial Arts Industry Association and the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and holds a Martial Arts prohibited weapons permit from the NSW Police Commissioner. Jonathan is passionate about teaching the martial arts. It is his pleasure to pass on what he has learned to anyone who is willing.

Sensei Dr. Raktim Kumar Nath is a 3rd Dan in Teshinkai Karate. Sensei Dr. Raktim Kumar Nath practicing karate for 18 years and has practiced different styles of martial arts. Sensei Nath was awarded 6th degree Black Belt in Shitoryu karate. He was the first Indian to receive 6 dan at a very young age. He was also awarded with the Honorary Doctorate in Martial Arts Science from Bodhidharma Research Institute of Martial Arts and Science. He had also awarded with the D.litt. The most senior young master in the world of Martial Arts had got a lot of popularity because of his good behaviour, intelligence and best fighting techniques in the present time. Sensei Nath was born in a middle class farmer family to Mr. Pratul Kumar Nath and Mrs. Mukta Rani Devi in Morigaon, Assam in India and practices Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism). Sensei Nath started practicing karate at the age of 3 years and learned full contact karate under R. Meetei and achieved blackbelt Shodan at a very young age. Sensei Nath has a mission to spread the benefits of Karate across India and is committed to the growth and development of the Teshinkai Karate style. Sensei Nath is known for his commitment to his students and their welfare and development. Sensei Nath understands too well the benefits that Karate brings to the young.

Paul Mracek is an 8th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, Taekwonjitsu as well as an International Coach – Defensive Tactics and Open Circle Fighting Method and a Reiki Master Teacher. Paul holds qualifications in Meditation, Mindfulness, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Bowen Therapy, Sports & Recreation, Training & Assessing and Coaching. He has developed defensive tactics syllabus for the Security Industry since 2011 for nationally accredited courses for thousands of students; as well training and assessing industry instructors. In addition, he is the head instructor at Nutaofit Martial Arts Academy since 2016, continuing the tradition of servicing the local community in the Bayside suburbs of Melbourne since 1985. Paul is a seasoned international CEO with qualifications in Engineering, Management, Business and Statistics running his own international consultancy and coaching company from 2007. He has also been an active advisor on training, education, and industry policy to both Government and academic institutions through senior roles with a number of iconic global companies. He continues with researching core teachings on pressure points and martial arts principles and integrating them into his syllabus and teachings to students.

Bob Jones is a 10th Dan in Karate (Zendokai) Soke Bob Jones is known as the man who changed the face of martial arts in Australia forever, for the better. As a practitioner of a variety of martial art styles including Goju Kai Karate, Taekwondo, Arnis, and Kickboxing, Soke Bob founded his own independent style called Zendokai. His martial arts organisation grew rapidly and become one of the martial arts industries greatest success stories. Tens of thousands of martial arts practitioners experienced the Zendokai training and many thousands went on to gain black belt and operate their own martial arts programs under Soke Bob;s guidance and support. Soke Bob is a purist in his thoughts on martial arts, his philosphy is to ensure that what he teaches is actually not only practical in real life situations but effective and realistic. He is well qualified to provide guidance on the practicality of martial arts, afterall he was one of the worlds leading bodyguards to the stars in the 70's and 80's. Zendokai is still making significant diffence in the Australian martial arts scene, many students continue to practice the styles and systems embedded in the organisation. Zendokai under the leadership of Bob Jones is a significant force that continues to change the lives of so many practitioners.

When Chad Naidu Gurumu wants to know if his business is booming, he only has to take a look around his CBD gym. It’s packed with his regular clients who return again and again, week after week, working with him to create not only the bodies, but also the minds they want. You see Chad’s CBD gym, Gurumu Combat Fitness, is worlds away from the empty-headed exercise programs of modern gyms. His clients; young, old and in-between, come back because they are looking for a different way to get their sweat on. As Chad himself explains, ‘At Gurumu it’s about passion, positive thinking and motivation.’ But to really understand how Gurumu Combat Fitness is unlike any other, first you have to know a bit about the man behind it all. You see Chad comes from something of a Taekwondo dynasty. His father and his father’s brothers were all Taekwondo champions in their native Malaysia. When Chad’s branch of the family decamped to the UK they took their ‘take-down’ skills with them. Chad and his own brothers carried on the tradition by studying in the art as well. Chad says ‘I began my own training at age 5.’ That’s about the age when most of us were still playing ‘thumb wars!’ Gurumu Combat Fitness Those early years spent in the ring set Chad up for a successful career as an MMA competitor. And he was single-minded in his pursuit of titles. He says, ‘When I was a [competitor] my only motivation was to win medals.’ But his life changed when he had his children. Chad explains, ‘my kids helped me to realise that there was more to martial arts than just medals. Martial arts is about discipline, positive thinking, staying motivated and being fit.’ Chad realised he could ‘lead by example’ and show others how to change their lives. And so Gurumu Combat Fitness was born. “Understanding the problems in the community helped me to tailor my programs. People’s real life stories touched me and showed me what my clients needed.” – Chad Naidu Gurumu 096a5161Now Melbourne-based Chad spends his days coaching his clients using the skills and discipline he developed through his own training. And his classes do more than just tighten butts and develop biceps – they focus the mind and connect people with their own inner power. The moves and exercises he has developed are about gaining real-world skills whilst honing the body and the mind. And despite the name, there is no real contact involved – meaning no one goes home missing teeth or sporting a chewed ear. For Chad, one of Gurumu Combat Fitness’ central purposes is to toughen people up for the battles of life. It’s about ‘arming’ people with the ability to defend themselves not only physically, but mentally, too. He says, “Understanding the problems in the community helped me to tailor my programs. People’s real life stories touched me and showed me what my clients needed.” In developing his programs Chad spoke to many people about their struggles with stress in the corporate world and to parents wanting to develop discipline and self-respect in their children. The result is a gym that has a purpose far beyond its four walls. For Chad Gurumu Combat Fitness is more than just a gym – it’s a way of life.