ABOUT US

Welcome to the NSW State website of Shotokan Karate International Australia (SKIA)

SKIA is a registered member of Shotokan Karate International Federation (SKIF) which is headed up by Master Hirakazu Kanazawa -10th Dan.

In 1971 the late Sensei Frank Nowak came to Australia from Japan and commenced instructing in Sydney. The NSW Association was formed in 1973 and soon after, similar Associations commenced in Queensland and Tasmania, under the guidance of Sensei Nowak.

In 1974 these three States formed the Shotokan Karate Association of Australia (SKAA) (as it was then known) and in 1976 became affiliated with Shotokan Karate International, headed by Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa.

On 6 July 1977 the first National Championships were held in Sydney and the same year saw the Associations of Victoria and South Australia formed. In 1979 five States were represented and competed at the 3rd SKAA National Championships.

In 1980, Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa, for the first time visited Australia. He returned again in 1982 and now visits Australia regularly for the Shotokan Week Seminar and Championships.

Western Australia joined in 1981 and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was the last to join the Association, doing so in 1995.

Since then, Shotokan Karate International has had a remarkable growth, to a point where it now has representation in over 90 countries throughout the world. In Australia, the SKAA is now known as Shotokan Karate International Australia (SKIA) and has approximately 35 clubs around the country.

SKIA does not have an Australian based Chief Instructor but rather is run by an elected National Committee under which are separate State bodies. The funds generated by SKIA are used principally for the purpose of maintaining a very high technical standard, reinforced by visits from overseas instructors.

Australia has competed at each of the 8 SKIF World Championships to date, the first being held in 1983 in Tokyo.  NSW has been proud to provide a high percentage of competitors for each of these teams.  NSW also currently provides the Australian team with their coach in Sensei Doug Rouessart, and Team Manager in Sensei Robert Mansberg.

NSW currently has 14 registered Dojo's (Clubs) whose details can be found here and 295 registered Karate-Ka.  NSW Also has all the senior instructors (6th Dans) and Life Members of SKIA in its ranks.