Central Coast Kyokushin Karate

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Sensei Graeme Rose

Sensei Graeme Rose started training at age 7 in New Zealand at Victoria University Karate Club's Kelburn Dojo. Head Instructor Shihan Bob McCallum was, and still is, a very strong influence on Graeme's karate experience. Shihan McCallum graded Sensei Graeme to shodan aged 14, which was at the time, the youngest Kyokushin black belt in New Zealand. Graeme's next major goal was to train in Japan, which he was able to do at the age of 17. Travelling to Tokyo to train at the Kyokushin Honbu and to meet Sosai Mas Oyama in December, 1988 was by far the high point of Graeme's karate life. During the one month visit, Graeme made the transition from being a teenage black belt to becoming an adult shodan. He trained in Honbu at the morning and evening classes, and was also able to attend the Mt Mitsumine Winter Camp.

Upon returning to New Zealand, Graeme's training increased in intensity with Honbu's spirit fresh in his mind. In late 1989 Graeme graded to Nidan (2nd dan). Also part of that grading was Chris Gower and Mike Kenworthy, who have continued on to create very strong Dojos in Wellington and Wanganui respectively. In 1990 Graeme moved to Australia, and after settling in Sydney, started training with Shihan Jim Phillips.

Shihan Phillips' influence took Graeme's training to another level, complimenting and adding to everything learnt so far. Sensei Graeme trained and taught regularly at Shihan's Kensington Dojo and eventually graded to Sandan (3rd Dan) in December 2001. After more than 10 years training at Kensington Dojo, Graeme had an emotional farewell, saying goodbye to Shihan and lots of very close friends and training partners. Shihan Phillips is head of the South Pacific Kyokushin Karate Union, yet still finds time to train Sensei Graeme and advise him.

Welcome to Central Coast Kyokushin Karate

Kyokushin (pronounced Key-yo-ku-shin) means "ultimate truth", which can be found in everyone through training in this budo martial art. More than just a physical exercise, Kyokushin develops the mind, body, and soul, instilling confidence and strength (both mentally and physically) in its students. Developed by the late Sosai Mas Oyama in the 1940's and 1950's after training in many other martial arts., Sosai saw the need for a truly practical form of Karate. Kyokushin became the largest Karate Organisation under one man, practised in over 100 countries by millions of students of all ages.

In 2007 Graeme's desire to compete took him to Mackay for the Kyokushin Union National Tournament, where he achieved 1st place again in the Middleweight division at age 36. In late 2010 Graeme completed his grading to Yondan (4th dan), which included a 50 man kumite. Still relatively young, Graeme has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Having competed in many national tournaments and also two world tournaments (IKO1 1999, Union 2004), Graeme has walked the walk of a tournament competitor and looks forward to passing on his experience to others.

Six years in the Australian Navy didn't allow a lot of time for consistent training, but from April 1997, Graeme was able to train and compete regularly for the next seven years. Briefly retiring in 2002 after winning National Middleweight titles in New Zealand in 2000 and 2002 and Australia (2000,2001,2002).

Graeme moved from Sydney to the Central Coast with his wife and two young sons. In 2003 Graeme was selected to represent Australia at the 1st Kyokushin World Cup in January 2004. Later that year Graeme went into business as a personal trainer and also opened the Central Coast Kyokushin Karate Dojo in North Wyong Industrial Estate.