Instructors
All of our instructors are Matsushima Kyokushin Australia qualified.
We teach in a relaxed environment yet not compromising on quality and traditional Japanese Martial Art values.
Shihan Jim Sklavos 5th Dan
Current Asia Pacific over 40's Full Contact Champion
Shihan Jim Sklavos started training in 1988 at the age of 12 years old.
Shihan Jim has been very fortunate to have progressed to the level of 5th Dan under the watchful eye of Hanshi John Taylor - 9th Dan.
Starting karate was something that Shihan Jim wanted to do as a child but only became a reality after his family migrated to Australia.
Over the years, Shihan Jim has had the opportunity to train with some of the best fighters and instructors in Australia and overseas.
Outside the dojo, Shihan has a full time job as a Program Director and specialises in Robotics and Automation. He attributes his academic achievements, patience and resilience to a lifelong commitment to Martial Arts and Kyokushin Karate.
On 27th September 2023, Hanshi John Taylor sadly passed away. Following a meeting with all Australian appointed Branch Chiefs, Shihan Jim was elected the Chairman of the newly created national committee and Matsushima Kyokushin Australia (MKA). MKA was shortly thereafter incorporated as a NSW Association with Shihan Jim as the Chairman and Public Officer.
Shihan Jim is results driven and his accomplishments speak for themselves as a fighter, instructor, dojo operator and branch chief. He has a huge vision for Matsushima Kyokushin Australia and leading the organisation into the future.
Some of the highlights being:
1993 - Graded to Shodan
1996, '97 and '98 NSW and Australian Superlightweight Ring Karate Champion
1996 - 2nd Place, Australian Open Championships - Lightweight Division
1997 - top 32 finish at the All Japan Tournament - open weight
1997 - WAMA Ring Karate Australian Title
1999 - Completed the 50 men Kumite test - the 6th person in Australia to have successfully complete it at the time
2001 - 3rd Place, Australian National Championships
2006 - top 16 finish at the Sydney World Tournament
2007 - Established Coogee Kyokushin Karate
2008 - Graded to Yondan (4th Dan)
2011 - Established Maroubra Kyokushin Karate, produced multiple Australian champions
2012 - appointed NSW Full Contact Squad Coach - Squad member success at National and International championships winning first place locally and first place in World Tournaments. Those squad members are now coaching the next generation of fighters.
2016 - Graded to Godan (5th Dan) in Maebashi, Japan
2017 - 1st Place - over 40 years old Middleweight Asia Pacific Champion - Jakarta
2021 - Promoted to Branch Chief - I.K.O. Matsushima
2023 - Elected Chairman - Matsushima Kyokushin Australia
Sensei Eva Sklavos 2nd Dan
Sensei Eva Sklavos commenced Kyokushin Karate in 2006 after already being an accomplished martial artist in Wing Chung Kung Fu and BJJ.
Sensei Eva has a passion for learning, teaching and pushing herself to the boundaries.
She has won both State and National non-contact championships multiple times.
Her 2015 and 2016 National Championships wins are a testament to her commitment and ability returning to the mat as a mum !
In 2016, Sensei Eva founded "Genki Project" focusing on performance coaching. More information, head over to www.genkiproject.com.au
In 2025, following a number of years as the driving force behind the Maroubra Dojo and Genki Project, Sensei Eva graded to Sandan (3rd Dan).
Sensei Eva continues to add her strength and mindset knowledge to her students and significantly contributes to our Full Contact Fighting Squad.
Sensei Ysobel Jarjoura
Sensei Ysobel is without a doubt one of Australia’s most accomplished Karateka’s. Sensei Ysobel has won countless State, National and International titles in full-contact karate.
She is a wonderful mum to a young boy and loves her training.
Sensei Ysobel is a role model to our young students and has a close following of students in the dojo and outside.
Sensei Ysobel has established herself not only as top fighter but also an awesome instructor, judge and referee.
Sempai John Stassi 2nd Dan
Sempai John joined Sensei Sklavos's dojo in 2006 after many years of Senseí Sklavos failure to convince him that he would enjoy it.
Sempai John has since given his full commitment to our dojo in both representing it in the State and National Full contact tournaments with great success. He has held many full and non-contact championship titles including both the 2015 and 2016 Non-contact championships.