About our club

Our dojo was launched in 2015 with humble beginnings in Sandy Bay. We now have a diverse range of dedicated students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, and everyone is welcoming of new members.

Our Founder

Our club founder Stacey Kirmos started karate in 1971 in Brisbane, Queensland, and trained for many years directly under our current international dojo head, Takahashi-Shihan. Stacey was a member of the Japan Karate Association from 1972. Sadly, Sensei Stacey passed in 2025 leaving a wonderful legacy of friendship, passion for karate, dedication and integrity that will live on through our club.

Three people, two men and a woman, wearing karate uniforms smile for the camera in a dojo — Adrian sensei (centre) with his children Ethan (left) and Lauren (right) – karate runs in the family! (2023)

Our current dojo head is Sensei Adrian Young who started learning karate in 2007. He first studied Shito Ryu under Sensei Mike Jordan in Queensland and began studying Shotokan with Sense Stacey Kirmos in 2015. He holds a second dan black belt and enjoys the meaning, purpose, physicality and deliberateness of karate as well as seeing our dedicated members grow in confidence.

“Karate is more than just learning to fight. In fact, if that is why you want to learn Karate, it isn’t for you. For me, karate is about understanding yourself, your true limitations and growing in confidence as you progress through the Kyu and then Black belt gradings. Our kun opitimises that philosophy:

Seek Perfection of Character
Be Faithful
Endeavour
Respect others
Refrain from violent behaviour”

Senseis Stacey (l), Adrian (m), and Senpai Ben (r)

What is TSKFA?

Our club is a member of the Traditional Shotokan Karate Federation of Australia which is affiliated with the International Shotokan Karate Federation. We have a direct lineage to Gichin Funakoshi who created the Shotokan style and introduced karate to the modern world.

Master Nakayama and Master Funakoshi

Our current master Takahashi Shihan is the head of the Traditional Shotokan Karate Federation (TSKF).

Takahashi developed his craft under Masatoshi Nakayama who was taught directly by Gichin Funakoshi.

“Karate is not only for Karate. It is life.”
Gichin Funakoshi

Japanese Masters who visit Tasmania

We are blessed to have two Japanese instructors visit us each year, Sensei Takechiyo Nemoto and Sensei Ryozo Hirata. They are world-class martial artists and wonderful people – we enjoy their company every time they travel all the way to Tassie.

Each visit coincides with a combined workshop and grading. We also try to ensure a social aspect such as dinner together.