World So-Kyokushin

Kyokushin Karate was founded in 1964 by Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama, meaning “ultimate truth.” It combines traditional and freestyle training methods into a practical, full-contact self-defence system suitable for men, women and children of all ages. Kyokushin is known throughout the martial arts world as The Strongest Karate, and has spread to more than 135 countries.

Lineage in Australia

Oyama’s student, Sensei Shigeo Kato, brought Kyokushin Karate to Australia in 1968. Amongst his students was Sensei Frank Everett, already an accomplished boxer and black belt in traditional Jujutsu.

The current chairman of So-Kyokushin Australia, Shihan Cameron Quinn (7th Dan), began training with Sensei Frank in 1971. In 1976, Quinn lived in Japan for a year and trained directly with Kyokushin’s founder Mas Oyama, returning to Japan numerous times over the years to continue training with him. Quinn also acted as Mas Oyama’s interpreter, beginning in 1976 until Oyama’s passing in 1994.

In 1987, Quinn wrote The Budo Karate of Mas Oyama, now considered the premier text on Kyokushin Karate. A long-awaited second edition was published in 2020.