Classes

Please keep up to date on our Facebook page here for the latest news. Our classes run all year, not by school term. We take a short break in December/January each year.

*Please note our last class for 2025 is on Thursday 18 December.

Class times:

• Adults classes are held on Tuesday & Thursdays 6.45pm to 8.15pm. Students must be 12 years or older.
• Kid’s classes are held Tuesday & Thursdays 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
• Saturday mornings 8.30am to 10am (for senior students by arrangement).

Dojo Fees:

• Adult Classes $80 per month or $65 per month for non-working students or $15 per casual class visit. Kids Classes $65 per month or $15 per casual class visit.
• Family Rate available (if a family of 4 or more train 1 child is free).
• There is annual insurance/association membership fee of $85 adults (& $70 students/pensioners).
• The first two lessons are free with no obligation.

Uniform (Dogi):

When you are starting out you can just wear casual clothing to train in (e.g. shorts and t-shirt, tights or tracksuit pants) however, when you are ready to purchase a Shinkyokushin dogi (uniform) you can organise this through the dojo.

Instructors:

Shihan John Hall, 5th Dan, Head Instructor

John has been training continuously since 1991 is currently a 5th dan Black Belt. The rank of 5th dan (Shihan) is considered a Master of Karate.

Shihan John competed in full contact Karate tournaments until the age of 35 years old in many tournaments and also represented Australia in Japan in 1999. He also spent time training in Japan at the dojo of legendary Shihan Keiji Sanpei in Fukushima and trains regularly at international training camps around the world.

Shihan John was awarded a prestigious Branch Chief title in 2015 by the World Karate Organisation in Japan (WKO) and become an international referee in 2017. Shihan John has officiated in every world tournament since 2017, as well as numerous other international tournaments.

In 2023 Shihan John became the Chairman of the WKO Shinkyokushin Australia Organisation and the Vice Chairman of the WKO South Pacific Region.

Shihan John has run Wollongong Dojo for over 20 years and during this time he has produced numerous national champions and trained many people to the rank of Shodan (Black Belt).

Sensei Jacob Comelli, 3rd Dan, Instructor

Jacob a highly accomplished fighter, having won multiple national and state titles across Shinkyokushin, other Kyokushin organisations, and the prestigious Arnold Classic tournament.

He has competed internationally, representing Australia several times and placing 5th at the Asian Championships.

He has trained in Japan, Lithuania, and under high level instructors in Australia.

Jacob is also the current Assistant National Coach, travelling with the Australian team when they compete overseas.

Jacob brings a wealth of skill and knowledge to Wollongong Dojo. 

Senpai Amanda Comelli, 2rd Dan, Instructor

Amanda began training in Kyokushin Karate in 1998 and earned her 2nd Dan in 2014.

She was a member of the Australian Shinkyokushin Karate Team from 2011 until 2017, was undefeated in kumite in Australia from 2012 to 2017 and is a six-time Shinkyokushin National Champion.

Amanda holds multiple national titles in other karate organisations, along with several state titles and two Arnold Classic Grand Champion Prizes. In 2014 she placed second in the women’s lightweight division at the 2014 All Asia Tournament.