We are the Australian Representatives for the International Federation of Karate (IFK), a UK based international Kyokushin organisation with over 50 member countries, led by 10th dan Hanshi Steve Arneil, and an international board of directors.
In 1991, before Mas Oyama died, the UK based Hanshi Steve Arneil formed the International Federation of Karate (IFK). He still calls his karate Kyokushin, and he still teaches it as it was originally taught to him by Mas Oyama. He was the first person to complete the the 100 man kumite after Mas Oyama.
Origins
After Mas Oyama died, a few of the Australian kyokushin instructors decided to avoid the ensuing confusion, and in 1995 chose to affiliate with the IFK rather than with one of the many Japanese organisations springing up. Thus was born the International Federation of Karate Kyokushinkai Australia Inc. (IFKKA). The logo for this organisation combined both the Kyokushin Kanku and the IFK logo. The organisation was incorporated as a not-for-profit association with the NSW government, with a board, and a constitution.
Name change
We have since renamed our organisation to International Federaton of Karate Australia Inc, and our current logo, at the top of this page is simply the IFK logo with the word Australia added. This also makes us consistent with our counterparts in other countries.
Locations and training
We are the only Kyokushin organisation in Sydney's Innerwest with an internationally recognised affiliation. We currently have clubs in Sydney's Inner West - Newtown, Petersham, and in Five Dock.
We welcome beginners and advanced students (no matter what martial art) and we invite other clubs and instructors to join us too.
If you would like to train with us, you can contact us via the Locations page, where you can find contact details for our clubs.
The clubs usually offer one or two free lessons, so if you'd like to give it a go, just contact them.
If you are an already an instructor in Australia, Kyokushin or otherwise, and would like to join us, here is some information on how you might do so.