Grandmaster Yasuhiro Konishi
Founder of Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate Jutsu. Graded Wally Szlagowski in 1961 to Shodan after years of study under a student and by correspondence. Konishi was open to interacting with other martial artists and began martial arts in Takenouchi Jujutsu, known for strong kicks and punches. In 1936 he became chairman of the Dai Nippon Butokukai. More... |
Grandmaster Wally Szlagowski
Opened the first karate school in Australia, albeit as part of the Blacktown Judo Club. He was open to anyone to train with him, didn't believe that a lot of the Japanese formalities were necessary in our Australian culture and didn't prescribe to the non contact sports karate scene. His beliefs included that no-one needs to be a clone of their instructor and it was good to mix with other styles (he was also a 4th Dan Judo and Jujutsu). He was awarded a distinction as a foundation member of what later has become the Australian Karate Association with Merv Oakley and another recipient. More... |
Sensei Rob Dobson
Started in judo but quickly found karate with Wally far more suitable. From 1962 till 1972 Rob trained in NSW, teaching 6 clubs at one stage. However his career put him in Adelaide where he taught till about 1989, with a 2 year hiatus as an exchange scientist working in the USA. Kym Reid ran the club as the principal from 1981 in Rob's absence. Rob refined many of the core fighting skills and the principles of strong techniques through correct technique is also applied in the jujitsu. He also was a founder of the AMAA and encouraged inter-club visits and contact tournaments. More... |
Kym Reid
Joined Rob Dobson's Karate in 1972 in Salisbury, SA. Max Bell, Brian Bellchambers, David Gooding also began that year. He fought in contact competitions from 1974 till 1986 when he then became a judge and referee with the AMAA. In 1988 He took up jujitsu and also judo for a short time. The Peter Morton Academy of Judo Jujitsu Karate taught Jishukan (self-defence style of judo) and incorporated Kenpo techniques. Although graded to 1st Kyu, due to life commitments later graded in front of a panel with the AMAA. Later in 1995 Kym was accepted as member of the AJJA, later becoming Vice President of the SA branch supporting Graham Dunn. Kym graded 1st Dan (Dec. 1980) and 2nd Dan (1986) in the presence of Rob and the 3rd to 6th with the AMAA. 1n 2007 Kym decided, after 24 years of supporting Rob's AMAA, to resign when the decades of work was destroyed by the new people in control. Without the founders, it lost it's way. That same year many of the disguntled AMAA members supported a training day held by Kym and there has been training days every year since in SA and then spread to Queensland and NSW. Now as the President of the IBF-Australia he runs and attends many training days, supports and encourages club interaction and holds fundraisers for Beyondblue and the Cancer Council. ( see Fight for Life SA) |