Brendon Cunningham

Brendon Cunningham is a 4th Dan (Yondan) with Kyokushinkai Karate. Sensei Brendon was born in New Zealand in a small town called Hawkes Bay, where he was introduced to and fell in love with the amazing style of Kyokushin Karate. The year was 1979 and his original instructors were Vern and Gary Daniels. After a short stint living in Frankston, Victoria, Brendon and his family moved back to Hawkes Bay New Zealand, my home-town, where he continued his Kyokushin training in Hastings with Senpai Tony Caldwell (Pinky) where they forged a bond for 10 years. Training was hard and brutal during this period which gave Brendon an appreciation for what the style was famous for, first and foremost to develop an indominable spirit! The Kyokushin style truly helps students to learn to overcome adversity and hardship, and via these concepts the practitioner is able to achieve a more fulfilled and purposeful life. Usually, these concepts are not obvious at first but over time the qualities manifest and your karate will become who you and you become karate. As Sensei Brendon says, “It was my time training with Senpai Tony at Bj's dojo where I learnt to never give up. Senpai Tony trained me to 5 Hawkes Bay titles and 2 NZ National titles as a young Karateka.” Sensei Brendon believes in the power of Karate and what the Kyokushin style can bring to its students. He has a mission to continue the legacy left him and help better the lives of the young and the old in his community. The Shinzo Dojo in Canberra caters for students of all ages and new students are welcome. A family atmosphere is strong at Shinzo Dojo, where all students are taken under the wing of Sensei Brendon and trained to be the best they can be! Shinzo Dojo, Kyokushin Karate, Canberra, ACT, Australia.