Hello and Osu! I am Paul Di Fiore, the Instructor of Yenda Kyokushin Karate, YKK for short. I have been successfully running this Kyokushin Karate dojo (or club) since February 1995 till present.
Before I took over training, Sensei Glen Gibbons (now 4th Dan) was the instructor, and currently runs his own full-time karate club in Canberra, "Canberra Martial Arts Academy". Sempai Giddons has fought many full-contact and ring-karate tournaments. To name but one - 1st in the South Pacific Kyokushin Full Contact Tournament held in New Zealand (Middle weight - AKKA) in 1998. Before Glen was Sempai Wally Gray, a well known karate exponent and original first instructor, starting up YKK. Sempai Gray is a 1st Dan/Shodan - with over 10+ years at this grade and well overdue for grading afew higher up (family commitments came first). Sempai Gray also formed, and instructed Wagga Wagga Dojo ( Tolland Public School ). Sempai Gray has represented his town, state and country in Kyokushin Full-Contact. Being State Champion several years running, National Tournaments and representing IFK Australia in the IFK Kyokushin Full-Contact Karate World Tournament (1997) held in Russia. Apon the death of Mas Oyama and the troubles in Australian Kyokushin (and the world), Yenda Dojo joined the International Federation of Karate (IFK) of Australia. Not to show any favour towards, or on group/organisation, but trying to choose the best for our situation and the dojo students. I have personally tried to kept out of the political side of Karate as much as possible, and be friendly with all of Kyokushin (we are all Kyokushin..).
All Kyokushin and Martial Artists are respected and welcome to train under Kyokushin etiquette at YKK. Alittle about myself - I have been interested in martial arts for as long as I can remember. From a kid watching these incredible feats on TV and movies. Learning from books, TV., anywhere I could quench my thirst for the martial arts! Punching, kicking and jumping around in my bedroom are my first recalled efforts as a young kid. Learning, teaching myself from books. I attended formal classes around 16 yrs,
with Sempai Sebastian After school I continued training, with Sabastian (until he left for QLD), also with Sempai's Carl Piva (Chief Instructor-W.A. Perth Kyokushin. *see Links Pg), Garry Dallest, (Sandan), John Rule, (Nidan) Ceaser Cabera (Nidan), Tony Urzia (Nidan) and others. Sempai's Dallest and Rule both running 'Griffith P.C.Y.C Dojo. But most notably Sempai Wally Gray (Shodan) spending many years training with him. In the time that followed, Sempai Gray and family moved to Wagga. I lost alittle direction in martial arts, but kept training, with Sempai's Garry & Ceaser. Also by myself, in my backyard. At this time I also commenced training in Kung Fu under Sifu Rod O'Toole in Ya Kum Mao/Puc Mae Kung Fu. Learning basic kung fu, movements, weapons, forms etc. I was part of the team to go to Sydney, meeting with the Grandmaster ( and training ), performed in Sydney's China Town New Years celebrations. Doing the 'Lion Dance' in the Moon Festival, in traditional costume, Lions and Dragons, with drums, fireworks etc. I had a break in training, re-commenced karate with Sempai Glen (under Sempai Wally Gray's guidance) when he re-opening the Yenda club. I have been there ever since. Getting together on occasions with the other karate instructors in Griffith and Wagga Wagga (local area) and Larger city based dojos. I have also done various training in Judo and Self-defence (with Sempai Ian Carter), and Tae Kwon Do (at Temora, NSW). Also a mix of free style, Ninjitsu, and Jujitsu. While in America in 1995, a had some limited opportunities to train with various instructors in Texas in Free Style Karate, Kung Fu, Akido. Notably training with/at Grandmaster Dr. Larry Sanders combined martial arts dojo, Austin-TX. So, as you have read, I have trained in a number of styles to varying degrees. I have participated in Full Contact karate, Non-Contact karate tournaments, National All Styles competions, martial arts displays as well as training successful students who participate in these and other events (*see pics pages). I like training in traditional martial arts weaponry also. It may sound as if I have done a lot? Not really - it is nothing, only the first few steps on a long road, in a lifetimes journey. There is so much more to learn !?! With each art having its own uniqueness, its good and its bad points. I try to take the best of each, learn, apply and use them, and pass my knowledge on. If it works, and it works for you, use it! Kyokushin is my base and first art, my true love in the martial arts. I continue to strive in it, always seeking to improve, expand, build on the base, and grow. I currently am preparing for my Shodan, black belt grading. I have found running my own Dojo has limited my time to prepare for coming grades (and self teaching most of what I need to learn, large distances to major cities for training/grades). It has been hard, making time to prepare myself, but all worth it - and some what over due. I have never taken the easy road it seems, in life, and in my martial arts. But the harder the climb up the mountain, the better the view when you look down... Always striving, never give in! Persevere! I hope you have found this interesting - See you in the dojo! Osu! Paul Di Fiore YENDA KYOKUSHIN KARATE Note: Thankyou to ALL who have inspired, pushed and driven me on in my love of the martial arts, Kyokushin. Osu! THANKYOU! [1998]
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