Senpai / Instructors

Senpai George (2nd Dan)

(Retail Manager)

From an early age I always had a passion for karate. I was only 8 years old when I started in Kyokushin karate and since then I have not stopped, it has changed my life. Through everyday practice I have gained great strength more confidence in myself, become very aware and better organized in martial arts. Kyokushin is now a part of my life and will always be.

As my passion for karate grew stronger, i took part in competitions where I won some tournaments, giving me more courage and credibility and confidence in myself for upcoming events. My goal in Kyokushin is to learn as much as possible, keeping in mind improvement in karate. As a manager in my daily life it is good to educate your mind to be far from reality and just focus in Kyokushin karate. Training in many different clubs i have gained much experience, but through learning by Sensei Vaviti who has an unlimited source of skills and information EKK has been the best club i have trained at.

OSU!

Senpai Leanne (2nd Dan)

SENPAI LEANNE (2nd Dan)

(Bookskeeper)

I started Kyokushin karate in 1995 at the age of 24 and graded for my shodan in 2003. over the years I have competed in National Tournaments and I believe that Kyokushin is the strongest karate.

Since joining EKK in 2007 both my teaching and fighting skills have improved beyond belief. The training and personallised care given to the students is far superior than anywhere else and this shows in the standard of the students in the dojo.

There is a friendly atmosphere where students learn by encouragement and not by criticism. EKK is my second home nad has given me back the Kyokushin spirit which is to never give up.

Senpai Jeremy (2nd Dan)

(Lawyer)

I began training in karate in 1983, when I was sixteen. in early 1984, I discovered Kyokushin Karate, and switched. I trained in Kyokushin from early 1984 until early 1987, by which time I had reached fourth Kyu level (green belt). I fought in several full contact tournaments during those years (before the days when colts were allowed to wear head protection, or even mouth guards or groin protection), and met some great people. however, like many late teenagers, my focus was being drawn in many directions at that time, and my interest in Kyokushin waned.

I returned to Kyokushin in 2002, some 15 years later. I trained six days a week for the following three or so years, with very few interruptions. I did complete again during those years, although at a less intense level (age).

I am now training and teaching as a shodan (first degree black belt) with Sensei Vaviti Vavitis. i have met some great technicians through my involvement in Kyokushin. I have met some great fighters through my involvement in Kyokushin. i have met one or two great teachers through my involvement in Kyokushin. Sensei Vaviti vavitis is the only person I've met who is all three - a great technician and a great fighter who also has the knowledge, paitence, understanding, energy, endurance, humility and courage needed to operate an effective training dojo's.

Senpai Shaun (Shodan)

(Admin Manager)

I had trained karate when I was very young but stopped after a few years and decided to take it up as I got older. I started Kyokushin Karate when I was 16 years old and have been training for four years and entered two national tournaments.

Training with EKK has built up my confidence, strength, skill, spped and has greatly improved my fighting. Techniques I have learned from Sensei Vaviti have helped me to win nationals and dojo tournaments.

My kata has also greatly improved since training with EKK, due to the teachings of Sensei Vaviti & the other senpai's at EKK, Which has greatly assisted me in passing my black belt grading as well as kata tournaments.

EKK has a friendly atmosphere and a great team environment. I enjoy every lesson at EKK and have learned much from Sensei Vaviti including the Kyokushin spirit of never giving up. Osu!

Senpai Madeline (Shodan)

(Office Manager)

Since beginning Kyokushin Karate in 2003, I have trained under Sensei Vaviti Vavitis. Sensei Vaviti has taught me everything I know and helped me to become a great teacher so I can pass on everything he has taught me.

Since joining at Extreme Kyokushin Karate I have become part of the EKK family, it is such a pleasure and so enjoyable to be able to come and train with my friends and share our passion for Kyokushin. Through Sensei Vaviti's teachings I hvae gained more controlled diciplined attitude and have perfected my techniques. Now that I am a Shodan it is now my privilage to be able to support and encourage others in the same manner.

The teachings of EKK and Sensei Vaviti extend further than our nightly training sessions, he shares his knowledge and expertise at every available opportunity and is always willing to further explain any questions that arise. Sensei always motivates his students to become the best.

Through my travels in Kyokushin Karate I have fought in many Tournaments winning the majority, recently placing second in the 2008 National Tournament held in Queensland. Kyokushin Karate has helped me become a better person overall. Along with my busy job, working as Officer Manager, I attend to training 5 days a week without fail.

Extreme Kyokushin Karate, through Sensei Vaviti's tutoring, has become part of my life. I will never stop training as there is always something more to learn and I will always strive to be at my best and to be as good as my other instructor, Sensei Vaviti. OSU!

Senpai Caroline (Shodan)

(Admin Manager)

I don't even know where to begin, I could not imagine my life without karate and the people who are Extreme Kyokushin Karate. it is such a enjoyable and encouraging environment to be a part of, due to the people involved.

Completing my shodan grading has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. It encouraged me to push my boundaries and put myself in situations that I otherwise would not have encountered. I look forward to pushing more boundaries and increasing my knowledge, skills and abilities to be able to become a better teacher.

Becoming a Shodan is something that I have not achieved on my own, many people have been there, none more than Sensei Vaviti who has made me the black belt I am today. He has taught me everything I know and has been there every step of the way. We are so privileged to have not only a brilliant teacher but a brilliant technician in his own right, and I am grateful that I have been Sensei Vaviti's student from the beginning and will continue to be so. OSU!

Senpai Debra (Shodan)

(Retail Manager)

In 2005 I began Kyokushin karate, training with EKK.  Prior to starting kyokushin I found myself going through hard times.  I’d been diagnosed with depression and I was determined to overcome it without the help of drugs.  Something had to change, I had to get out of the same rut I found myself in day in day out.  I needed to get out, meet new people and more importantly challenge and surprise myself.  Why not get fit and learn something that could one day be a potential life saver.  Art class was out and karate in.

I stumbled across EKK by chance one day while out for a walk.  I entered, with what was still just a thought and after asking a few questions I then knew that this is what I needed, this is what I had been looking for.

Until I started I had no idea of just how unfit I was.  Everything was a strain and made my body hurt and shake but I was determined to keep pushing, all the time using Sensei and the club as motivation, I persevered.  As I started climbing the ranks, what once killed me was now easy.  Karate was working.  My depression was long gone, my body stronger than I had ever known it and most important I was in control again.

Certainly training with such a friendly and supportive club (my 2nd family) has made my journey to black belt much easier.  They made it fun and enjoyable and when I doubted myself they were always there to push me, believing in me one hundred percent.

As a token of my appreciation to the very hard working Sensei, Sempais and members of EKK I wish to pass on the knowledge I have learnt to other students in a way that would make my Sensei and club proud.

The rewards of karate are priceless, fit, happy and confident.

OSU!!
Debra Marshall

Senpai Jason (Shodan)

 (Mechanic)

Throughout my life I have tried many different sports, but have never found one that I like or can stick to, up until 4 years ago when I discovered Kyokushin.

The first time I went to EKK it was for moral support but soon discovered it was something that was appealing to me.

After my first lesson I realized that it is something I want to do mainly to build up my fitness but also because it was mentally challenging as well.

As the weeks past I kept training and started to feel more coordinated with basic techniques, which was a great challenge to learn.  Along with that I felt that my balance was improving which then made me feel more confident about myself and more motivated to keep training.  It was that moment that I decided I should try and go as far as I can in the art of Kyokushin.

Four years has passed and I feel I have learnt so much, I have used each and every day of training to take the opportunity to learn something new.
To me, achieving my black belt will be one of the biggest goals in my life and also the first big step into my journey of Kyokushin.

The main reasons I would like to achieve my black belt is so I can pass on the information and teachings that I have had the privilege of learning as a student of EKK.  I feel the club and all the teachers in it have put so much time and effort into teaching me from white belt through to black tag (1st Kyu) and since I’m given the opportunity, it would be my absolute pleasure to put that time and effort back into the club and help pass on the teachings and techniques of Kyokushin.

OSU!
Jason Dawes

Senpai Raph (Shodan)

(Student)

l started Kyokushin karate at a very young age and graded for my shodan in 2010. Over the years my brother (Sensei Vaviti) has trained me privately and in the Dojo so I can learn all kyokushin karate fighting skills, kata & teaching. His the best teacher and brother but very hard on me at times because he wants me to be one of his best instructors. Over the years I have competed in Tournaments and demonstrations, and always try to give my best. I will always be grateful to our sensei vaviti for his support to a great team of skilful instructors and students. To me training at EKK is a way of life I can’t imagine a day without it OSU.

Senpai Juan Ferrentino-Iorio (Shodan) Linguist

My initial interest in martial arts commenced, after viewing Bruce Lee's film Fist of Fury as a child. Growing up in a conservative adoptive Italian family, it was not viable to dedicate my self to the study and practice of martial arts, since I was to focus solely on my academic studies. Then not until I went to Japan in 1996, as an exchange student at the age of 16, that I first encountered Kyokushin Karate. That year I saw one of Kyokushin's greatest exponents, the late Andy Hug (The Swiss Blue Eyed Samurai), win the 1996 K-1 World Grand Prix, showcasing Kyokushin Karate's true power and aesthetic flamboyance to the world.

It was not until I graduated from university, then returned to live and work in Japan, that I was able to fulfill my long term ambition and commenced my Kyokushin training, at the end of 2006. Upon my return to Australia, I continued my training at another Kyokushin dojo for two years, until I came across Extreme Kyokushin Karate. I am sincerely fortunate, privileged and grateful to have been accepted as a student at EKK, where Sensei Vaviti and everyone else made me feel welcome from the very first day of training at the dojo. I would like to sincerely express my gratitude to Sensei Vaviti, for patiently and kindly conveying his knowledge to me, often correcting and refining my technique. Of all the instructors that I have encountered, along my martial arts endeavour, only Sensei Vaviti has embodied simultaneously, the spectacular qualities of an outstanding fighter, a flamboyant technician, as well as an excellent teacher. All of these attributes without a doubt, make Sensei Vaviti a formidably outstanding master and an inspiring role model.

Training at EKK is an integral part of my life, because it has assisted me in retaining confidence, discipline and perseverance, in many challenging aspects of my life. Ultimately I hope that I can assist the novice students at EKK, with their training at the dojo, as a token of my gratitude and appreciation, for those who assisted me in getting to where I am right now in my Kyokushin journey. I once again would like to thank Sensei Vaviti, along with everyone at EKK, for making my training at the dojo always worthwhile and memorable, Osu!|

Senpai Chris (Shodan)

Senpai Lisa (Shodan)

(Student)

I began training at Extreme Kyokushin karate in 2008 and graded for my shodan in 2011. The first time I went to EKK it was to watch a friend who trained there, but soon discovered it was something appealing to me. As my passion for karate grew stronger, I began competing in many tournaments, demo’s and other events and through my experiences, truthfully believe that Kyokushin is the strongest karate.

Kyokushin karate has changed my life. I could not imagine my days now without karate and the people involved in EKK as it is such an enjoyable and encouraging atmosphere. Honestly, I never believed I could make it this far, but due to the endless training and personalised attention that Sensei Vaviti puts into every one of his students is inspiring and continues to push me further to be the best I possibly can.

Completing my shodan has been one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences. Through Sensei Vaviti’s teachings I have become more confident, fit, have a disciplined attitude and accomplished goals I never thought possible. EKK has helped me improve myself as a person and I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to guide me along the way. I will never stop training as there is always more to learn.

OSU!