Instructor

Resident Instructor

David Rush - BAppSci - Qualified Fitness Instructor

David, began learning karate in 1982 after training and competing in boxing. He excelled in other many other sports particularly soccer and distance track and field, cross country and fun runs. In 1976, he smashed the 1,500 m cross country record by 23 seconds. He competed at state championships and dreamed of competing at the world championship level.

David earned his 1st to 3rd Dan Black Belts directly from Hirokazu Kanazawa Soke (10th Dan Black Belt and Founder of Shotokan Karate International Federation). He earned his 4th Dan from Nobuaki Kanazawa Kancho and his 5th Dan from Manabu Murakami Shihan. He is a previous AKF (ACT) Coach, previous Australian Team Manager (SKIA) from 2011-2013 and SKIA NSW Committee member 2017-2023.

Davids' first karate tournaments was at a regional competition in 2001. After training and competing in several more tournaments, he saw they could be a mechanism for improving karate, fittness and mental strength. Over the years, he has competed in over 150 events as a masters competitor. He competed at regional, state, national and international level including four consecutive SKIF World Karate Championships and one International competition. David has been fortunate to have acheived some tournament success including 15 state titles, six Australian Titles and five World and International Championship medals. 

David is a SKIF International Referee, a SKIA Chief Referee and member of the SKIA National Referees Council. He was awarded the Sensei Memduh Sanli Perpetual Trophy for Officiating Excellence in 2019. He has developed an extensive teaching background both inside and outside the karate dojo for over 30 years. He is a qualified Australian Sports Commission Coach and Fitness Instructor who has coached dozens of students to state and national tournament success. He has taught karate at state and national seminars in Australia and has also taught a few karate classes in dojos in Japan, Europe and online.

As a seasoned sport karate athelete on the SKIA Team over many years, David developed an accute appreciation of the physical and mental committment required to compete at international level. He has faced some formidable opponents and challanges but despite his relative success, it has never been about the trophies. He just wanted to improve his karate, health and fitness and find and push beyond his limits. This was achieved with hard work, self-belief and the support of coaches, instructors, friends and family. Over the years, David has met many challenges with dedication and determination. It hasn't always been easy or successful but he has never given up believing in the possiblities.

David (above) performing kata in the finals at the 2016 SKIF World Championships in Indonesia. He vividly remembers how it felt: "The feeling was almost entirely internal - I didn't hear the crowd or think about opponents or the what ifs. I was in tune with my breathing and timing, focused on segway between relaxation and explosive movements and how to feel each technique. When I walked off the mats I was elated. It was similar with kumite - I did my best leaving everything on the matts. I placed 2nd in Kata and 3rd in Kumite. Looking back to the early days of my karate I can see how far I have come, how much I have grown and learned and how my karate has improved. I found my potential and acheived my dreams". The journey continues.