About Kansai Karate Academy

Over 30 years of traditional Japanese karate, taught with genuine care for every student who walks through the door.

Our Founder — Shihan Stephen Kelly

Shihan Stephen Kelly holds a 7th Dan Black Belt and the prestigious Kyoshi rank — one of the highest teaching qualifications in traditional Japanese karate. He founded Kansai Karate Academy in 1993 with a vision to bring authentic Shitoryu Shukokai karate to Brisbane families.

A multiple State and 4-time National Champion, Shihan Kelly has also earned World Championship medals — including 2 Gold, 3 Silver and a Bronze at the Shito-ryu Shukokai World Karate Championships. His competitive achievements are matched only by his dedication as a coach.

Shihan Kelly currently serves as the Queensland Karate Association's Head Karate Coach, AKF National Elite Kata Coach, and Oceania Chief Instructor of the Shito-ryu Shukokai Karate Union. He has spent over 30 years teaching children, teens and adults across Brisbane.

His philosophy is simple: karate should be accessible to everyone, from 3-year-olds taking their first steps on the mat to adults looking for a challenge that actually means something.

The Style: Shitoryu Shukokai

Kansai Karate Academy teaches Shitoryu Shukokai — a traditional Japanese karate style known for its technical precision, powerful strikes, and emphasis on practical application.

Unlike many modern martial arts schools, we teach the complete art: kata (forms), kihon (basics), kumite (sparring), and the philosophy behind each. Students who train here are learning something real — a tradition that has been refined over generations.