Celie Zavetchanos

Celie Zavetchanos is a 7th Dan in Judo Celie began her martial arts journey in the 50's, under the tutelage of her "to be" husband Ivan Zavetchanos. As a beginner Celie soon adapted to the rigours of the art and became hooked on the physical and mental challenges the art presented. It want long before Celie progressed through the ranks and went on to become Australian champion many times over. Celie Zavetchanos, together with her husband Ivan built a martial arts empire that changed the martial arts in Australia forever. Over the past 60 years Celie herself has been involved in the training of many Australian Champions as well as being mentor and tutor to literally thousands of judo enthusiasts. The renown Albert Street Dojo in Brunswick from which Celie and Ivan trained and taught became the spiritual centre of most martial artists in Australia. It was from here that not just judo was taught, it was also the first dojo for the Kyokushinkai Karate Association and home to other styles when they were first launched in the country. Celie Zavetchanos is well known and highly respected as being our own "Iron Lady" of martial arts who many thousands of parents entrusted their children, to instill fitness, discipline, and respect. It is fair to say that there are very few martial artists in the world that can match the fine record set by Celie, from Judo Champion to mentor to thousands, Celie will secure a place in our history books as one of the best and most respected Jodo-ka ever.