Adam Higgins Shihan

Adam Higgins Shihan began his karate journey 30 years ago, experimenting with different styles before finding Chito-Ryu Karate-do in 1996. He realised this was the authentic and meaningful karate style he was looking for, with significant depth and history. His single-minded determination saw him reach black belt level in a few short years, excelling in all aspects of karate.

Adam Sensei has a special interest in helping children and teenagers develop their personal character and resilience through their study of karate. His gentle approach means he’s a firm favorite with even the smallest karate kids. His teaching style is a combination of no-nonsense discipline mixed with fun and positive reinforcement.

Creating leaders of the future

As the head instructor at Gold Coast Chito-Ryu Karate, Adam Sensei is focused on developing future leaders and helping his staff grow their own teaching abilities.

Adam Sensei is a hands-on instructor who takes a personal interest in each of his students as individuals. Over the past 25 years as an instructor, he has become highly skilled at identifying the potential in his students and supporting them to reach that potential even when they think it’s impossible. As a result, Adam Sensei has seen a number of his students achieve black belt ranks and higher.

A high proportion of his younger students are recognised with leadership roles at school, with many students being elected house captains, school captains, student council members, and more. It’s no coincidence; leadership and communication skills are key lessons learned under Adam Sensei’s teaching.

Weapons

As a style with an Okinawan heritage, Chito-Ryu Karate-do incorporates weapons training. Adam Sensei is acknowledged as a world-leading kobudo practitioner and instructor. He achieved Nidan level in Matayoshi Kobudo before switching his focus to Chito-Ryu Kobujyutsu in 2015, in which he is now ranked Sandan.

Always learning

Adam Sensei continues to train and develop his karate under the guidance of Soke, the head instructor of Chito-Ryu.

Competition success

Adam Sensei has been a fierce competitor in sports karate on the national and international stage. He has represented Australia at seven World Titles events, where his results have included an impressive two world titles in kumite (sparring) and numerous medals for kata and kobudo.

Adam Sensei has now turned his attention to coaching. Under his direction, Gold Coast Chito-Ryu Karate students have achieved no fewer than nine world titles and have medalled at numerous world championships.

Achievements

• Yondan Chito-Ryu Karate-Do
• Shihan Chito-Ryu Karate-Do
• Sandan Chito-Ryu Kobujyutsu
• Nidan Matayoshi Kobudo
• Competitive Record:
  • 2019 Soke Cup World Titles Dan Masters B Male Kumite Champion
  • 2013 Soke Cup World Titles Dan Masters B Male Kumite Champion
  • 2007 ICKFA Tournament Champion
  • 2011 ICKFA Kumite Champion
  • 2008 ICKFA Kumite Champion
  • 2007 ICKFA Kumite Champion
  • 2005 ICKFA Kumite Champion
  • 2007 ICKFA Kata Champion
  • Represented Australia at Soke Cup World Titles in 1998, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2023 (as a referee)

Samantha Lenton Sensei

Sensei Sam fell in love with Chito-Ryu Karate-Do in 2012 when she started training along with her family. She was soon attending as many classes per week as she could get to, and achieved her black belt in 2019 and her Jun-Shidoin (junior instructor) qualification in 2020.

Sensei Sam’s classes are high-energy and inclusive, with a focus on having fun while learning. She is passionate about helping students of all ages overcome their perceived limitations and realise that they can achieve their goals if they’re willing to work hard.

In her Saturday morning classes, Sensei Sam works with both the youngest karateka (from age four) and some of the dojo’s oldest karateka (aged in their 60s) and everyone in between, so she draws from a wide range of fun yet challenging ideas to keep everyone engaged and learning throughout the classes.

While she loves literally every aspect of karate, Sensei Sam has a particular interest in kumite, seeing it as a valuable building block of confidence both inside and outside the dojo. She has competed successfully at various local, national, and international tournaments in both kumite and kata. She has represented Australia at three World Titles, medalling at each of them and taking out the gold medal for kumite in Canada in 2019.

At Queensland tournaments, you’ll find Sensei Sam alternating between competing in the senior divisions, refereeing, and coaching. She finds her perfect balance in juggling all three roles.

Sensei Sam can be found teaching classes on Saturday mornings from 8:30am, and is usually in the dojo five days per week (six if she can get away with it).

Achievements

• Nidan Chito-Ryu Karate-do
• Jun-Shidoin Chito-Ryu Karate-do
• Shodan Chito-Ryu Kobujyutsu
• Competitive Record/Awards:
  • 2023 Soke Cup Female Team Kumite Champion
  • 2019 Soke Cup World Titles Dan Masters B Female Kumite Champion
  • 2015 Australian National Titles Adult Female Kumite Champion
  • 2013 Australian National Titles Kyu Grade Kata Champion
  • 2013 Queensland State Titles Tournament Champion
  • 2017 Budoka of the Year
  • 2013 Budoka of the Year
  • Represented Australia at Soke Cup World Titles in 2013, 2017, 2019, 2023

Brendan Young Sensei

Brendan Sensei came to the Gold Coast dojo in 2013 with extensive experience in Shito-Ryu Karate including running his own dojo. In Chito-Ryu Karate and the Gold Coast dojo he has found an art form that offers a high level of learning and karate technique and has been a dedicated student since commencing his Chito-Ryu journey.

Brendan Sensei is a great example of humility and a focus on learning rather than ranks or titles. Commencing Chito-Ryu Karate as a white belt his open mind and willingness to learn allowed him to make great progress in his transition and after years of training including trips to Japan to train at the international headquarters he now holds the rank of nidan in Chito-Ryu Karate-do.

Sensei Brendan has always been an avid sports karate competitor and in the bogu kumite of Chito-Ryu karate he has excelled winning world titles. Whilst always keen to put the gloves back on he now focuses his energy on helping the next generation of kumite fighters achieve their best.

Achievements

• Nidan Chito-Ryu Karate-do
• Jun-Shidoin Chito-Ryu Karate-do
• Shodan Chito-Ryu Kobujyutsu
• Competitive Record/Awards:
  • 2023 Master’s B Men’s Kumite Champion
  • 2017 Men’s Kyu Kumite Champion
  • 2017 Masters B Kyu Soke Cup Tournament Champion
  • 2022 Budoka of the Year
  • Represented Australia at Soke Cup World Titles in 2017, 2019, 2023

Kazumi Tominaga Senpai

Kazumi Senpai is a dedicated karateka and educator. Starting her Chito-Ryu Karate Journey at 44yrs of age she is an inspiration to many and a great testament to the benefits of regular karate training, exercise and stretching. Having trained in Japan at the international head quarters on numerous occasions she has a lot of knowledge to share.
Kazumi Senpai is particularly passionate about kobujutsu and her dedication in this area paid off winning both the Bo and Sai Masters female divisions at the 2023 Soke Cup.

Achievements

• Shodan Chito-Ryu Karate-do
• Shodan Chito-Ryu Kobujyutsu
• Competitive Record/Awards:
  • 2023 Master’s Female Bo Champion
  • 2023 Master’s Female Sai Champion
  • 2023 Budoka of the Year
  • 2012 Budoka of the Year
  • Represented Australia at Soke Cup World Titles in 2017, 2023