Okinawa Kobudo Australia
Kobudo is the study of the ancient weapons of Okinawa. Kyoshi Brian Hayes holds a 6th degree black belt in Kobudo, which he has studied since meeting Shinpo Matayoshi in the mid 1990’s. The program offers study in the traditional weapons such as bo, sai, tunkwa, nunchaku, kama, eku and other traditional Okinawan weapons. With one of the largest traditional weapons schools in Australia, we offer expert and safe tuition in these fascinating Okinawan weapons. Kyoshi Hayes also holds an instructor licence in Philipine arnis, so students also enjoy modules of study in stick self defence.
Kobudo Pandas Junior Program
The Kobudo Panda’s program is offered for 6-12 year olds. They will improve their spatial awareness, coordination, strength and stability, ability to remember patterns and focus for sustained length of time. The Panda’s learn the same traditional Okinawan weapons as the adults on a simplified curriculum to allow them to work through a belt rank system. We have a lot of fun in our classes which are available at Warners Bay, Waratah, Morisset, Redhead and Greenhills.
Brian Hayes
Chief Instructor
Kyoshi Brian Hayes is Chief Instructor of the Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre. A 6th Degree black belt in Matayoshi Kobudo, he supervises kobudo standards at all dojos and conducts senior training with HVMAC kobudo instructors.
Competed at the Okinawa World Kobudo Tournament 2022.
Masters Division Champion in Tunkwa and Sai at the Okinawan prefectural Kobudo Tournament 2023.
Patrick Wong
Shihan | Master Instructor Warners Bay
Sensei Pat attained his Kobudo Shihan in 2021. He has travelled to Okinawa several times to train with senior Matayoshi Kobudo instructors. Sensei Pat shares responsibility for the Warners Bay Kobudo program.
Placed in bo at the Okinawan Prefectural Kobudo Tournament 2023.
Anna Hayes
Shidoin | Senior Instructor and Studio Principal Warners Bay
Sensei Anna attained her Kobudo Sandan in 2021. She has travelled to Okinawa several times to train with Ishiki Sensei at the Naha Budokan, the home of traditional Okinawan martial arts. Sensei Anna is a senior instructor in Kobudo at the Warners Bay dojo.
Competed at the World Okinawa Kobudo Tournament 2022.
Gold medalist in Tunkwa and Sai, and Silver medalist in Bo at the Okinawan Prefectural Kobudo Tournament 2023.
Daniel Casey
Shidoin | Senior Instructor Warners Bay
Sensei Daniel attained his Kobudo Sandan ( third degree black belt) in 2021. He is a key instructor in Kobudo at the Warners Bay dojo.
Romany McGuffog
Instructor Warners Bay
Sensei Romany attained her Kobudo Nidan in 2020. She has been a key instructor at the Warners Bay dojo for many years and shares responsibility for the senior program.
Taj Hassan
Instructor and Studio Principal Greenhills
Sensei Taj attained his Kobudo Nidan in 2020. Sensei Taj is owner and Chief Instructor at the Green Hills dojo.
Abi Lowe
Instructor and Studio Principal Waratah
Shihan Abi Lowe is 4th Degree Black belt in karate and achieved her Nidan in Matayoshi Kobudo in 2022. She is owner and Chief Instructor at the Waratah Dojo.
She has travelled to Okinawa several times to train with Ishiki Sensei at the Naha Budokan, the home of traditional Okinawan martial arts. Sensei Abi placed at the World Okinawa Kobudo Tournament 2022 and at the Okinawan Prefectural Kobudo Tournament 2023.
Lesley Talbut
Instructor and Studio Principal Morisset
Sensei Lesley attained her Kobudo Nidan in 2022. A third degree black belt in karate, Sensei Lesley is owner and chief Instructor of the Morisset dojo.
Joel Holland
Instructor Redhead
Sensei Joel attained his Kobudo Black Belt in 2020. He is responsible for the Kobudo program at the Redhead dojo.
Our other programmes