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Martial Arts Magazine Australia – Issue 9

Australia’s Only Ad-Free Martial Arts Publication

Inside This Edition:

AWMA Writing Competition Winners The finest voices in Australian martial arts storytelling shine in our featured competition results. From Jaime Gill’s visceral exploration of Kun Khmer fighting culture to young Patrick Allison’s adventure tale “The Golden Ninja,” these award-winning pieces capture the raw emotion and transformative power of martial arts across all ages.

Master Interview: Grandmaster Oscar Higa at 80 An intimate conversation with one of Okinawan karate’s living legends. After 75 years of training and teaching across five continents, Higa Sensei shares hard-won wisdom about tradition, evolution, and what it truly means to walk the martial path.

Technical Deep Dive: “What is Kata?” by Brad Weston A comprehensive analysis spanning multiple karate systems, exploring how traditional forms function as combat blueprints rather than mere choreography. Includes detailed breakdowns of Genseiryū’s unique approach and cross-style applications.

The Fighter’s Eye: Combat Intuition in Karate Don McKay examines the neurological and psychological aspects of martial awareness—how experienced practitioners develop the ability to read opponents before attacks are even consciously formed.

Personal Journeys From Paul White’s candid account of training with Parkinson’s disease to Hannah Borrell’s moving story about memory and legacy in “Forgotten Kata,” these narratives reveal how martial arts provide strength through life’s most challenging moments.

Practical Guidance Amy Lynch’s complete guide to starting your own karate school offers real-world advice on everything from insurance requirements to student retention strategies—essential reading for aspiring instructors.

Historical Preservation Dan Newcombe unveils 20 years of research tracing Tsutsumi Hōzan Ryū jujutsu from 14th-century Japan to modern Australian dojos, while David McLeary explores the resurgence of traditional Chinese sword arts.

This issue represents the full spectrum of Australian martial arts: championship competitors and weekend warriors, children taking first steps and masters still training in their eighth decade. Each contributor offers authentic insight into what makes our community unique—proving that the strongest traditions are those that continue to evolve.

100+ pages of ad-free content celebrating the depth and diversity of Australian martial arts culture.