Turramurra Senior Instructors

Sensei Idir Bahamid commenced his karate training in 1966. He trained in Shotokan in Europe and North Africa with Sensei Taiji Kase, Sensei Hiroshi Shirai and Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda. He obtained his Shodan (1st Dan) in 1971 and was graded to the rank of Yodan (5th Dan) by Sensei Kase in 1988 at an international training camp in Paris.

Between 1977 and 1982, Idir was instrumental in the promotion and development of Karate in Romania. He established Dojos in different cities and conducted regular training camps.

After moving to Australia in 1988, he continued his karate training in Shotokan in a number of Dojos across Sydney before beginning his training in Kyokushin Karate with Shihan Lipman in 2004 at the Turramurra Dojo. In 2008, Idir Bahamid travelled to Okinawa, Japan to train with Sensei Tetsuhiro Hokama (10th Dan Hanshi) in Ryukyu Hokama Kobujutsu. Idir was graded to Shodan (1st Dan) in Kobujutsu in 2009.

Idir was graded to Yodan (4th Dan) by Shihan Lipman in May 2010. See his photo gallery here.

Idir Bahamid

Howard Lipman

Shihan Lipman commenced his karate training in Sydney in 1969.

His Sensei was Shihan Bob Boulton, who had trained with Sosai Mas Oyama at Honbu in Tokyo from 1959 to 1964. Returning to England as Sandan to form the UK Kyokushin organisation, Shihan Boulton then travelled to Australia and was to be responsible for the martial arts training and development of Shihan Lipman.

Shihan Lipman progressed with time to the rank of Sandan (Sensei) and has trained national champions both male and female in Kata and Kumite. He was elected to the position of Vice Chairman of Australia, which he held for many years and was also responsible for the organisation and running of the national tournaments.

In 1989, after being promoted to the rank of Fourth Dan, he was invited to Tokyo by Sosai Oyama and was promoted by him to Branch Chief and was asked to form his own Branch of Kyokushin in Australia.

Shihan Howard Lipman travelled to Tokyo at least twice yearly to attend Branch Chief camps and also to referee at the All Japan and the World Tournaments.

Shihan Lipman was promoted to the rank of Fifth Dan by Sosai Oyama in May of 1992, and in February of 1993 became the South Pacific Representative to the International Committee of Kyokushin, Honbu Tokyo.

Following the death of Sosai Mas Oyama, Shihan Lipmans' role was confirmed by the Branch Chief Committee in Japan, and he became a member of the World Board of Directors. Due to continuing political upheaval and instability which unfortunately followed the death of Sosai Oyama. Shihan Lipman resigned officially from the IKO on August 1st 2000 and has done so for a better future for his students and dojos who shall continue to be instructed in the art of Kyokushin and to follow the teachings and philosophies of Sosai Oyama as they have been taught to him.

Sensei Mark Shelmerdine began his training in Kyokushin Karate with Shihan Lipman in 1986. He first started teaching in 2000 at the Turramurra Dojo and was graded to Shodan (1st Dan) in 2002 and Nidan (2nd Dan) in 2004. In 2008, Sensei Shelmerdine was promoted to Sandan (3rd Dan) by Shihan Lipman.
Sensei Shelmerdine teaches the general class weekly at Turramurra Dojo.

Sensei Shelmerdine has competed in local, state and national Kyokushin tournaments in both Kumite and Kata.

In 2008 and 2009, Sensei Shelmerdine traveled to Okinawa, Japan to train with Sensei Hokama (10th Dan Hanshi) in Ryukyu Hokama Kobujutsu. He was graded Nidan (2nd Dan) in Kobujutsu in 2009.

Mark Shelmerdine

Sensei Paul started training in 1977 in the UK under Sam Horndl, Jeff Wybrow and Shihan Steve Arneil. Taking a break to play semi-professional football (soccer), he returned to the fold in 1988 when he joined Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham as a green belt, training, competing and teaching and eventually progressing to a 4th Dan, awarded in 2008.

Sensei Paul has managed his own Dojos in Harbord and Mosman and has instructed at Lane Cove and Willoughby as well as deputising at Turramurra when senior instructors are in Japan. Paul has variously played an active part in the organization of tournaments and aspects of Kyokushin Executive Organisation at local and national level. Paul has benefitted from training with some of the world’s best karate exponents who have been invited to teach in Australia by Shihan Lipman.

Paul Finnerty

James Sidwell commenced training in Kyokushin karate as Sydney University in 1993. In mid 1994, he came to train under Shihan Howard Lipman. He continued his training and obtained his shodan in 2003.

He is currently a sensei having been graded in october 2009.

James has competed in full contact, non contact, and kata tournaments and won several trophies in these events. Furthermore, he has travelled and trained in both Japan and Okinawa. He trained under Sensei Hokama and obtained his shodan in Kobudo in October 2009 from Shihan Lipman

James Sidwell