The Complete Guide to GKR Karate

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Senior Instructors

Kancho Robert Sullivan

GKR Chief Instructor and Founder

See the History of Go-Kan-Ryu for more information about our founder.

Shihan Stacey Karetsian

Assistant Chief Instructor & Executive Vice President

Shihan Stacey Karetsian is currently a 5th Dan Black Belt and holds the role of Assistant Chief Instructor and Executive Vice President for GKR Karate International. His current responsibilities are to oversee GKR's management and worldwide operations as well as maintain international growth and development.

Shihan Stacey began martial arts as a 12 year old in Whyalla, South Australia, with his two younger brother in the local Japan Karate Association club (Shotokan) and achieved his Black Belt. His university studies prevent him from training as frequently as he would have liked so he embarked on a search for another style to train with that was closer to him in Adelaide. Incidentally, Kancho Robert Sullivan was, at the time, was running an ad in the local paper to fill some senior management and teaching positions within GKR. It was in the year of 1991 that Shihan answered that ad and was accepted to do part time work while finishing his studies.

In 1993 Shihan completed his degree and moved to Sydney to dedicate himself to GKR on a full time basis. He was so successful that by May of 1994 he was promoted to Regional Instructor of Region 2 (North West Sydney).  January of 1996 brought yet another promotion, this time to Zone Director for the norther part of Australia (NSW, QLD & ACT). His success however, did not stop there. Four years later in 2000, he was awarded the title of "Shihan" (meaning master instructor) and was appointed to be GKR's Assistant Chief Instructor and Excutive Vice President, which he holds to this very day. 

Sensei Gavin Samin

International Vice President and Senior Instructor

After some previous training in Shotokan and Kung-fu, Sensei Gavin Samin's involvement with GKR commenced in 1992 as a full time instructor. He moved to Melbourne in 1992 and played a major role in assisting Regional Instructors in starting up dojos in Perth, Hobart and New Zealand. His efforts and dedication were recognised in 2004 when he was appointed to the role of International Vice President. His current duties are to facilitate GKR's world wide expansion, including improvements in teaching and training systems as well as assisting Senior Zone Instructors in their leadership and karate progress.

Sensei Nabil Fanous

Zone Director and Senior Instructor

Sensei Nabil commenced training with GKR in 1993 after previous training in Taiku-do Karate. He is currently the Senior Instructor and Zone Director of the Northen Zone of Australia (NSW, ACT & QLD), primarily ensuring the quality of karate in all three states. He holds the rank of 4th Dan within GKR.

Sensei Mark Case

Zone Director and Senior Instructor
Sensei Mark Case joined GKR in 1995 and previously spent six years as Regional Instructor for the Gold Coast. Being successful in that role, he was promoted to Senior Instructor and Zone Director for the Southern Zone of Australia (VIC, SA, TAS & WA). Sensei Mark describes his role as being to "continue the karate development and practices that are passed on through the Regional Instructors". He also helps to co-ordinate development and growth throughout the southern zone, by means of gradings, seminars and special classes.

Sensei Joe Estrada

Zone Director and Senior Instructor
Sensei Joe Estrada has an extensive background in a range of martial arts, primarily in Shotokan karate but also in the study of Judo, Kung-fu and Aikido. His training with GKR commended in 1991 and now as a 4th Dan Black Belt, holds the title of Senior Instructor and Zone Director Southern Zone of the UK (London).

Sensei Tyrone Coates

Zone Director AND Senior Instructor
Sensei Tyrone Coates has trained and continues to demonstrate talent in the fields of Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do. He holds a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do as well as the rank of 3rd Dan in GKR Karate. He joined GKR as a public student in October of 1996 and then opted to make a career out of his karate and started full time in January of 1997. By September of that year he was appointed to Regional Instructor of the Sunshine Coast and alter transferred to Brisbane. After six years of dedication to Brisbane region 10, he was given the opportunity to help start GKR in Houston, Texas at the first full time training centre (Honbu). Sensei Ty's involvement was instrumental in the development of the full time dojo and continues to oversee its development today.

Sensei Antonie de Bruin

Zone Director and Senior Instructor
Sensei Antonie de Bruinl started with GKR in 1992 in Adelaide, Australia. He now holds a 3rd Dan in GKR karate and is the Senior Instructor and Zone Director for the entirety of New Zealand.

Kancho Sullivan and Shihan Stacey with the Master Instructors from Gojuryu Karatedo Seiwakai:

Shihan Leo Lapinski (8th Dan) and Hanshi Shuji Tasaki (8th Dan)