Our Instructors

Richard Norton, Kyoshi (Amabassador for Budoshinkai)

Kyoshi Richard Norton has trained in many aspects of the martial arts well over 45 years of training, including Judo, Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, Thai Boxing and several Japanese weapons systems and currently holds the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt in Zen Do Kai.  He also has a 6th Degree Black Belt in Ukidokan Kickboxing under Sensei Benny Urquidez, 5th Degree Shihan title in Goju Ryu under Hanshi Tino Cebereno, 5th Degree Masters rank in Chun Kuk Do under Chuck Norris and a 4th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Jean Jacques Machado (he was the first to obtain this rank in Australia).  He has also extensively trained with other Martial Arts legends such as Tadashi Yamashita, Fumio Demura, Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace and Pete 'Sugarfoot' Cunningham.

Norton is in constant demand for seminars all over the world, covering such topics as street defense, martial arts weapons drills, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. His 15 years experience as a Personal Body Guard for some of Rock and Roll's greats finds Richard in particular demand for teaching the realities of real life street defence, focusing on aspects such as adrenal dump, stress control and pre-emptive strikes.

Since his return to Australia, after 30 years living in the USA, he has been closely aligned with BMA by providing comprehensive training and consultation in Karate, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA and Reality Based Defence.  Most people know Richard Norton from his film work appearing in over 70 feature movies, including former bodyguard to James Taylor, Abba, Linda Ronstandt, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones and Mick Jagger.

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Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Karate and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our Instructors have attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.

Dr George Adams, Kyoshi (Chief Instructor)

George Adams has an 8th Degree Black Belt in Karate-Jitsu and a purple belt in BJJ.  He is a full time police officer, and has a driving passion for the martial arts even after 36 years.  He is dedicated to his organisation and people, and will continue to do so for a very long time.

"I started martial arts training in 1974 and I have been teaching for over 30 years. I have helped many persons to use the discipline of the martial arts to conquer their fears and transfer that power to all areas of their lives. No other activity can better this! The martial arts has literally saved my life. Not just defending myself but the challenges of surviving two near fatal incidents; the mental and physical abilities achieved through my martial arts is why I am still alive and training today."
- Dr George Adams

 

 

Dr Chris Tsolakis, Renshi (Black Belt 5th Dan)

Dr Chris Tsolakis has been training in the martial arts for over 25 years and has also extensive experience in Kickboxing, Karate Jitsu, BJJ and MMA. He also has Black Belts in Zenchi Ryu Karate, Ninjitsu, a 4th Dan in Senjitsu and Purple Belt in BJJ.  He regularly instructs classes and is the Technical Advisor to Budoshinkai Karate Australia.

Dr Chris has a wealth of professional experience in Kickboxing is the Head Instructor for Kickboxing at the BKJ Centre.

"I have known and trained with George Adams for over 20 years. We have a very good relationship and he has encouraged me to better myself not only in the martial arts but in my academic studies."
- Dr Chris Tsolakis

 

 

Andrew Hess, Renshi (Black Belt 4th Dan)

Andrew is the Qld Director for BMA and is responsible for conducting seminars and gradings in that state. He has been training for over 20 years and has been with Budoshinkai since 1994. Andrew has astounded many people with his amazing ability in the martial arts. He has demonstrated incredible strength and resistance to pain.

"I have been training in the martial arts for many years and have been with Budoshinkai Karate since 1994.  I like Dr Adams' approach to training in various martial arts because I believe in an all round education.  George has inspired me over the years."

Victor Matos (Black Belt 4th Dan)

Mr Victor Matos has been training in the martial arts for almost 20 years. He commenced his training, in Karate, as a youngster in Portugal. He continued his training when he moved to Australia, in the early '80's, in the art of Hapkido and then finally to BMA for the last 15 years.

Victor is married with two children, Daniel and Anthony. Daniel is also a Black Belt in Budoshinkai Karate and young Anthony is following his father's and older brother's footsteps.

"I am dedicated to the martial arts and teaching my skills. I have a great friendship with many of the people associated with Budoshinkai Karate and I am very grateful for Dr Adams's time and dedication to my training and development."
- Victor Matos

John Ellis (Black Belt 4th Dan)

John, alongside his brother, Tim, has commenced training at the age of 15 years old. John, now 33 years, has never missed a martial arts lesson and currently trains a minimum of 6 lessons a week. Like his brother, Timothy, he is very dedicated in assisting students.

John has competed in some of the toughest Karate tournaments in the country including NSW and National Kyokyushin Karate Knockdown Championships.

"I have been with Budoshinkai Karate since the day I started training and I have seen many progressive changes in the system including BJJ, MMA and Reality Street Self Defence. Many other Instructors always look up to Kyoshi George Adams."
- John Ellis

 

Timothy Ellis (Black Belt 4th Dan)

Timothy, alongside his brother, John, has commenced training at the age of 15 years old. John, now 33 years, has never missed a martial arts lesson and currently trains a minimum of 6 lessons a week. Like his brother, John, he is very dedicated in assisting students. Timothy has competed in some of the toughest Karate tournaments in the country including NSW and National Kyokyushin Karate Knockdown Championships.

" Like my brother, John, I have been with Budoshinkai Karate since the day I started training and I love the introduction of BJJ & MMA training within our classes. Kyoshi George Adams is highly respected and a great ambassador in the martial arts."
- Timothy Ellis

Jonathan Adams (Black Belt 2nd Dan)

Jonathan started the age of 6 years old and was awarded his junior Black Belt until the age of 11 years old. He has won numerous Karate tournaments in his early years and now continues to train in the martial arts teaching the Little Dragon's class at West Pennant Hills, as well as, senior classes. Jonathan is regarded as one of the best and most respected Instructors in Budoshinkai, who has a vibrant personality. Jonathan has been recently awarded a Degree in Laws Honours Class 1, including the University's medal, and a Degree in Criminlogy with Distinction, including the Dean's medal, and is the former President of the Young Law Society.

"I have attained many achievements in the martial arts. The discipline and the mental ability I have developed has given me the opportunity to take on challenges in the professional world. I have been studying Criminology and Law for the last 5 years and my Sensei (and father) has always told me, 'the mental skills from your martial arts training can help you take on the challenges in your profession.'"
- Jonathan Adams

 

Darren Grieve (Black Belt 3rd Dan)

Darren lives, trains and teaches at the Rainbow Beach school and his assistant, Dean Taylor, runs the Tin Can Bay branch. Darren is a Sergeant of Police and has numerous students who live in the community with him. He also has a number of police officers training with him particularly in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA. The Chief Instructor, Dr George Adams (also a Police Sergeant) visits his schools for seminars and gradings and Darren also flies down to Sydney to spend a week with George to further hone his skills and update his knowledge.

Darren commenced his training with two young children in the late '90s; it was Darren who had the patience and attitude to continue training and successfully attain his grades. He has expanded his horizon by learning and practicing one of the most effective martial arts - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which he now teaches to his colleagues and senior students.

"I became involved with Martial Arts when I took my two young children along to the local school and was encouraged by the instructor to take part in classes. After 10 years of training I attained the rank of 2nd Dan and I am now and instructor of that same school. I also commenced a school at Rainbow Beach which is proving to be very popular in a small community. Being a police officer I have found that my training and development in Martial Arts in particular BJJ has given me new found confidence to handle the hazards associated with modern policing. I have to thank Kyoshi George Adams and his Sydney instructors for the support and encouragement they have provided me along the way."
- Darren Grieve

Damien Philpott (Black Belt 1st Dan)

Damien had been trained directly under the Chief Instructor. He has recently moved to the ACT where he now runs his own school in Jerrabomberra. He is regularly visited by Kyoshi George Adams for seminars and gradings throughout the year. Like many of the Instructors in Budoshinkai, Damien has been also practicing BJJ/MMA and teaching those skills to his students. Damien is planning to set up a full time martial arts centre in the ACT shortly in the near future.

"I commenced my martial arts training with Budoshinkai at the West Pennant Hills School after researching many styles. Budoshinkai was the only system that I found so versatile and has provided me a real sense of achievement; it has changed my view on the world around me. I also found new confidence by training the martial arts in which I can apply to everyday life. I now live in the ACT and I am pleased I can provide instruction, what I have been taught, to my students, I am looking at growing by establishing a fulltime martial arts training facility in the very near future. I thank Dr Adams, Shihan Richard Norton and Victor Matos for their support along the way."
- Damien Philpott

 

Dean Taylor (Black Belt 2nd Dan)

Dean Taylor has been training for a number of years in the martial arts, particularly traditional form. After 7 years of traditional Karate, Dean has joined the Budoshinkai team by training and teaching Karate Jitsu. Since being awarded his Black Belt 1st Dan Dean, he has also been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and hopes to gain a Black Belt in that martial art as well.

"I first commenced Karate training when my son took it up. At the time I needed an energy outlet so I also started and I haven't stopped since; I just couldn't give up a good thing. Now that I am instructing, I can really see my own personal development and the potential in my students. Karate is my personal journey. I am proud to be a member of the Budoshinkai team and work well alongside Darren Grieve. I love every minute of it and I hope to inspire others, particularly children, to do the same."
- Dean Taylor

Mark Szalajko (Black Belt 2nd Dan)

Mark Szalajko is the Chief Instructor of the full time Bujutsu Martial Arts Centre in Narellan. He has had a successful martial arts career including a victorious history in competion (see below).  Mark has travelled widely and trained with martial arts legends such as; Grand Master Kiichi Nakamoto, Grand Master Toddy, Kyoshi Richard Norton, Kyoshi George Adams, and World Champion Kickboxer, Sensei Benny Urquidez.

"For me, martial arts is a way of life that I share with my family and students.
Recently, I moved back to Sydney. This caused me to rethink my future path.
For me to continue progressing with my martial arts, I had to find the best teacher I could.  After a lot of research and training, the choice was easy, Budoshinkai Karate Jitsu. Kyoshi George Adams is one of the few living legends in the Australian Martial Arts World."

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

2010 Australian Open Martial Arts Championships - Traditional Forms (Kata)
2010 Australasian Championships - Self Defence
2010 Australian Open Martial Arts Championships - Point Sparring
2010 Australian Open Martial Arts Championships – Koshiki
2010 Winter Nationals - Koshiki
2010 Winter Nationals - Continuous Sparring
2010 Winter Nationals - Traditional Forms (Kata)
2010 Winter Nationals - Self Defence
2010 Winter Nationals - Showmanship
2009 Australian Championship - Continuous Sparring
2009 Australian Championship - Self Defence
2009 Australian Open - Koshiki
2009 Australian Open - Continuous Sparring
2009 Winter Nationals - Continuous Sparring
2009 Winter Nationals - Self Defence
2008 Winter Nationals - Traditional Forms (Kata)
2008 Best of the Best National Titles - Traditional Forms (Kata)