Shihan Kevin Plaisted - Renshi 6th dan Matsubayashi Ryu karate

Shihan Kevin Plaisted

Nidan grading 1981

APUKO championships Japan 1983

Nidan grading 1981
Scoring with Mawashi geri
Bob McMahon referee

Demonstration at the wedding of Yoshiaki Taira, the son of Yoshitaka Taira sensei. 1999

Sai training at Taira dojo, Okinawa. 2000

Kama training at Taira dojo, Okinawa. 2007

He was appointed as NZ National Kumite coach from 1990 - 1992, coaching teams for the Asian Pacific Championships in Auckland NZ and the World Karate Federation championships in Mexico. He then turned his attention to refereeing, qualifying as an Oceania A grade Kata and Kumite referee.

Kevin Sensei began karate training in 1975 under Sensei Bob Dalton in Whangarei, New Zealand. He was graded Shodan in 1978 in Australia by Sensei John Halpin (Seikukan) Shotokan style karate.

Sensei joined the NZ Police in 1979 and served as a frontline police officer until he went to Japan in 1987.

He enjoyed karate competition and competed at every opportunity, participating in the first UNZKO camps in Wellington in 1977. He won his first open karate tournament in Kumite in 1981 and was selected to represent New Zealand at the Asian Pacific Championships in Japan in 1983 and the World Karate Federation world championships in Sydney Australia in 1986 . He had a successful Tournament career winning many National titles in both Kata and Kumite.

In 1987 Sensei Kevin, then a Sandan, went to the Seikukan headquarters in Toyama Japan, where he spent three months full time training under Sensei Tainen Takemori. On his return to New Zealand he opened his first dojo in Whangaparaoa Rodney District.

1975 Began training in Whangarei at age of 19 under John Erceg. The club was handed over to Bob Dalton in 1976.

1977 Competed in the first UNZKO Championships in Wellington NZ as a 1st kyu.

1978 Graded Shodan 1st dan in Australia by John Halpin (Seikukan).

1979 Joined NZ Police. Served 1979-87 stationed in Whangarei where he carried out General duties - Armed Offenders Squad - Dog Handler.

1981 Won his first UNZKO National title in Kumite.

1981-91 Competed every year, winning numerous regional and national titles in Kumite.

1981 Graded Nidan 2nd dan by John Halpin (Seikukan).

1983 Represented New Zealand in Kumite at the Asian Pacific Championships in Japan. Placed 3rd in Kata at New Zealand National championships.

1986 Competed in World Karate Federation championships in Sydney, Australia.

1987 Spent three months at Seikukan Headquarters, in Toyama Japan receiving instruction from TainenTakemori sensei.

1987 Opened Dojo in Whangaparaoa NZ.

1991 Appointed UNZKO National Kumite coach.

1991 Coached the NZ National team at the Asian Pacific championships in Auckland NZ.

1992 Coached the NZ National team at World Karate Federation championships in Mexico.

1997 Travelled to Okinawa where he was introduced to Yoshitaka Taira sensei Matsubayashi Ryu. Since that time he has travelled to Okinawa every year. See Past Events

2001 Graded Godan 5th dan Matsubayashi Ryu.

2005 Graded Rokudan 6th dan (Renshi) Matsubayashi Ryu.

In 1997, to further his study of karate and kobudo, he turned to Okinawa and was introduced to Sensei Yoshitaka Taira of Matsubayashi Ryu. He has returned every year since and in 2005 was graded Sixth Dan, Renshi, Matsubayashi Ryu

Sensei also completed training in Acupuncture (Dip Ac - NDA) becoming a member of the New Zealand Register of Acupuncturists in 1992. He served as president from 1997 - 2005. Acupuncture has been approved for Governmental Statutory Regulation which come into force in the near future.

Now at 52 he is still very active in his own personal training and growth with an emphasis on preserving the essence of Okinawan Karate and Kobudo. From his karate experiences he has developed a broad range of karate concepts and training methods which he is always keen to share.

Compiled March 2008