Over the years I have had the opportunity to meet and train with many internationally known instructors such as Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, Larry Hartsell, Francis Fong, Dan Inosanto, Jeane Jacques Machado, Steve Stewart, Jeff Speakman and Jan De Jong.
In recent years I have been busy with the promotion of the IBF, Szlagowski Karate and Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate Jutsu which has broadened the network of martial arts friends here and overseas exponentially. This is an ongoing study into the history and lineage of our style and martial arts in general.
Currently I am 6th Dan with over 40years of continuous training and continue to be actively involved in seminars, gradings and competitions here and interstate.
My 3rd, 4th & 5th Dans were awarded prior to 2005 by Bill Vaughan, Joe Lamarca and Karol Stojko, the remaining founders of the AMAA. In November 2006 Karol Stojko insisted I formally apply for my 6th Dan so I used the opportunity to try and lift the critieria within the ranks of the AMAA. I collected some honest appraisals of where I had contributed to others and added my history etc. including over 25 years of voluntary work for the organization. Unanimously the members granted my grading in Feb. 2007 (written in the minutes) and I had a club certificate signed by the Public Officer Karol Stojko as a witness. The secretary of that time asked the President for a certificate, not I. Karol was the only remaining founder who had worked with Rob Dobson and I only considered him worthy enough to be a signatory. Due to a difference of opinion as to where the association should put it's efforts I resigned. Since then I have been the state IBF President and many former AMAA members have worked with me to build a better Martial Arts community. Miscreants have made absurd accusations that I resigned as vice president of the AMAA because I didn't want to pay $100 for their certificate. They place far too much importance on a piece of paper I would find of no value with signatures of people who know little of my or the AMAA's history. The only peers I recognize are those who have travelled the path and made a positive difference such as Karol Stojko (founder), Rob Dobson (founder), Bill Vaughan (founder), Joe Lamarca (founder), Dante Roccisano and Terry Riches. The IBF also graded me to 6th Dan and presented me with an IBF certificate for my 6th Dan in Karate Jitsu.
My 7th Dan is due in Feb. 2014
Full History Here
Principal: Kym Reid
Strong Karate / Practical Ju-jitsu / Realistic Self-Defence
Acknowledgements
Random Pictures of seminars attended as state President of the IBF Australia
Part of the Better Martial Arts Community in the IBF Australia
At 16 years of age I began training at Rob Dobson Karate, Salisbury, SA in January 1972 and was graded to Shodan in December of 1980. Sensei Rob instilled long standing principles in this full-contact style of karate that the next generation of instructors continue to adhere to even now.
While continuing my training over the next few years I also became a student of Jishukan jujitsu and by 1993 was graded to 3rd Dan in my own jujitsu system which incorporates many techniques from the original syllabus by Grand Master Wally Szlagowski who opened the first karate club in Australia. GM Wally was also graded in judo and jujitsu.
I have held executive positions on several committees over the years and am now Vice-President of the International Budo Federation, Australia. I have been a member of the Australian Jujitsu Association since 1995 and have completed the Coaching Principles course with the Aust. Sports Commission, hold a current National Police Certificate and was awarded an international Senior Teacher Diploma in the Budo discipline of Karate Jitsu.
