IOGKF Australia Instructors - present and past

---

Brent Pawlik Sensei - 6th Dan: Chief Instructor (2023 - Current)

Brent Sensei began his Goju-Ryu journey in 2001 under Chris Larken Sensei in Newcastle. He had previous martial experience, but sought a traditional style that focused not only on self-defence, but also longevity, and he found that in Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do.

Shortly after commencing his training with Chris Sensei, Brent was introduced to the broader IOGKF karateka community at a gasshuku in Canberra, where he met Higaonna Morio Sensei for the first time. This significant encounter inspired him to seek the essence of traditional karate and led to his first trip to Okinawa. On this trip he attended the IOGKF World Budosai in Naha (2004), and remained for a short period afterward to train with Higaonna Sensei at Honbu Dojo for the first time.

Following this experience Brent Sensei became determined to return to Okinawa and further his studies under Higaonna Morio Sensei. Upon completing his university degree, he returned to live in Okinawa in January 2006. Brent Sensei fondly recounts his years training at Honbu Dojo. As he describes it, "...at that time Higaonna Sensei’s training at Honbu Dojo was beyond anything I could have imagined. Every session pushed me beyond my absolute limit. The training truly forged the mind, body and spirit...". The intensive training proved worthwhile, resulting in his deep involvement in various Honbu Dojo activities.

Significantly, Brent Sensei received his formal license to teach Goju-Ryu from Higaonna Sensei on June 1, 2007. The examination for this credential was comprehensive, spanning several days to cover the entire Goju-Ryu curriculum. Beyond regularly leading training sessions at Honbu dojo, he represented the dojo in numerous Goju-Ryu karate demonstrations, including a notable event at the Tokyo Budokan.

Due to Higaonna Sensei's renown, senior dojo members including Brent Sensei participated in several television projects. These included the BBC series "Hai! Karate: Journeys in Japan," "The Essence of Gojo-Ryu Karatedo," and Shunsuke’s "The Quiz Show." Brent Sensei competed in kata tournaments, achieving second place in the Naha event, and later became a kata tournament referee. He co-authored articles in Fighting Arts Magazine with Higaonna Sensei and was inducted as an associate member of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai (Japanese Classical Martial Arts Association) in 2009.

Brent Sensei’s life in Okinawa was truly enriched through his marriage to Ryoko, a local Okinawan. He was welcomed into her family, embraced by her friends, and given the chance to see and touch real Okinawan life.

Outside of dojo hours Brent Sensei worked in elementary schools across Naha and Urasoe Cities and, in addition to teaching English, received support from the local Okinawan community to start instructing traditional Okinawan karate as a school club activity. He was also involved in numerous traditional events and had the honour of marching in the Ryu Kyu Kingdom Parade at Shuri Castle. 

Through family and such community involvement he gained a deep understanding of the Okinawan culture and came to realise firsthand just how profoundly karate is woven into the daily lives of the Okinawan people. One can’t truly understand traditional Okinawa karate without understanding Okinawan culture.

Toward the conclusion of his time in Okinawa, with Higaonna Sensei's blessing, Brent Sensei became a student of Yamashiro Katsuya Sensei. To this day, he considers Yamashiro Sensei his primary teacher and inspiration in his exploration of traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do.

Brent Sensei returned to Australia for family reasons shortly before the 2012 Budosai with the intention of returning to live in Okinawa. Unfortunate circumstances prevented this from happening and he returned to training under Chris Larken Sensei and established a second Newcastle Dojo that ran on alternate nights. Prior to Chris Sensei’s untimely passing in 2016, Brent Sensei was appointed the successor lead instructor of Newcastle Dojo. 

Brent Sensei received his Rokudan (6th Dan) at the Chief Instructor Gasshuku in Okinawa in July 2023. Following this achievement, Simon Beaumont Sensei transferred the position of Chief Instructor for IOGKF Australia to Brent Sensei, who was formally recognized in this role by Nakamura Tetsuji Sensei and the IOGKF International Executive.

Brent Sensei returns to Okinawa annually with Ryoko and their family where he receives invaluable tutelage from his teacher, Yamashiro Katsuya Sensei.

Brent Sensei firmly believes that lifelong karate study contributes to both physical health and personal development. He views the development as an incremental process—embodied in the Japanese concept of Kaizen—striving each day to improve upon the previous and trusting that the cumulative impact on one's life is profound. His journey has been enriched by interactions with inspirational teachers and many students. He believes that everyone carries and continues to benefit from the wisdom of all their previous teachers, and personally strives to guide his current students towards the essence of traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do.

Brent Sensei currently teaches at two Dojos in the Newcastle area – details here.

Dovi Lifson Sensei - 7th Dan: Sydney Dojo

Dovi Sensei began his study of karate in 1986 at age 25 under Len Resnekov Sensei (IOGKF). Len Sensei's training lineage included training at the famous Yoyogi dojo. He represented the traditional approach of instructors such as Higaonna Morio Sensei and Bakkies Laubscher Sensei. His students were predominantly a young male cohort in their late teens to early twenties. Consequently the training environment was physically and mentally demanding. Students trained without protective gear during sparring. The instructor's approach was uncompromising, using techniques such as sweeping students from behind to develop awareness and resilience.

Dovi Sensei's progression through the dan grades has spanned multiple decades and locations, starting with Shodan (1st Dan) in 1991, through to the most recent 2025 Nanadan (7th Dan) grading under Nakamura Sensei and the IOGKF Executive Committee at the CIG in Fuzhou.

During the intervening period, he attended numerous international Budosais and IOGKF Chief Instructor Gasshukus in Naha, Okinawa.

More than most long-term practitioners, he accumulated injuries over the years, starting with a shoulder injury during the catastrophic bridge collapse at the 1997 Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv. In later years, various shoulder, hand and knee surgeries and systemic illnesses have been added to the mix.

Despite these physical challenges, he continues to find satisfaction in training and values the opportunity to share knowledge with students and assist their training. 

Dovi Sensei observes that training methodologies have evolved significantly since the 1980s. The early years were characterized by intensive physical conditioning with minimal protective equipment and an emphasis on mental and physical fortitude. Contemporary practice has incorporated greater awareness of injury prevention, biomechanics and long-term sustainability of the practice.

While the fundamental principles of the art remain unchanged, modern training approaches balance traditional rigor with evidence-based practices that support lifelong engagement with karate rather than short-term intensity that may lead to burnout or chronic injury.

Looking Back

From beginning training in 1986 under Len Sensei in Australia to receiving Nanadan rank in Fuzhou in 2025, the last forty years of karate practice have encompassed training across multiple countries, gradings under renowned instructors and the opportunity to contribute to the next generation of practitioners.

Special moments have stayed with him. From his first Australian National Gasshuku, the 1998 trip to Naha, the Maccabiah Games, a 2004 tour of Okinawa, grading for Godan in a freezing Goulburn (2010). There was also an enjoyable post-Gasshuku holiday in Okinawa in 2019 with fellow karateka Jean Pretorius, accompanied by their wives.

In conclusion, Dovi Sensei states:

The physical challenges of injuries, arthritis and the natural process of aging are genuine and ongoing. Yet they are balanced by the continued satisfaction of training, learning and contributing to the karate community. To me this enduring commitment to practice and community represents the true essence of Goju-Ryu karate.

Janet Young Sensei - 6th Dan: Sydney Dojo

Janet Sensei began her martial arts journey in January 1998 at the IOGKF Sydney Dojo, initially motivated by an interest in self-defence. As she deepened her understanding of karate, she discovered a passion for kata and for the continuing challenge of pushing herself to improve. Tournament karate never held much appeal; instead she was drawn to the traditional aspects of the discipline.

When exploring karate schools, Janet found that some wouldn't even accept students over 21 years of age. Goju Ryu was refreshingly different, viewing karate as a lifelong pursuit rather than just a young person's activity. This philosophy led her to Len Resnekov Sensei, who was helpful and enthusiastic about her training.

The Sydney dojo had been established by Len Sensei’s predecessor, Arni Gould Sensei, who had made the decision to join IOGKF Australia. Len Sensei was Godan when he arrived from South Africa; Janet Sensei feels fortunate to have had senior instruction right from the start. Her progression through the ranks marked important milestones in her development. She achieved Shodan in Goulburn at the end of 2002, graded by John Lambert Sensei from Scotland (brother of David Lambert Snr Sensei who had recently passed away). This was followed by Nidan in New Zealand under Higaonna Sensei (2005), Sandan in Sydney under Bakkies Sensei (2008), and Yondan in Newcastle – again under Bakkies Sensei (2011).

Throughout her martial arts career, Janet Sensei has been a dedicated participant in international events, demonstrating her commitment to the global IOGKF community. She attended Budosai’s in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2024, as well as Chief Instructor's Gasshukus in 2017, 2018, and 2023. Her senior rank awards came at the 2016 Budosai (Godan) and the 2023 CI Gasshuku (Rokudan). The 2023 CI Gasshuku held particular significance for her, as it focused intensively on teaching the teachers:  how to provide proper context to students and how to effectively communicate key concepts.

Beyond her personal practice, Janet has contributed greatly to the national organisation of IOGKF Australia, serving as Secretary for several years while also helping to run the IOGKF Sydney Dojo, where she continues to train under Simon Beaumont Sensei. Janet Sensei finds particular fulfillment in one-on-one instruction of traditional karate to dedicated students. Her approach to training is practical and technique-focused rather than gender-oriented. She notes that smaller karateka face greater pressure to develop excellent technique—a reality that aligns well with her own passion for technical precision.