George Barounis , Sensei, was born in Greece on the 15th January, 1950. He immigrated to Australia in 1967.
Sensei Barounis started in Go Ju-Ryu Karate Do in 1970, however, after five years of training he was dissatisfied with what he was learning and felt there was more knowledge to be gained. So in late 1975, he made the decision to travel to Japan and spend time learning more about the art of Karate Do from Shihan Gonohyoe Yamamoto (a student of Master Gogen Yamaguchi) who arranged for a student to meet Sensei Barounis on his arrival. He then was taken to Master Yamaguchi’s dojo, where he lived with other karate students from around the world, who were also studying and training in the art of Karate Do.
Sensei Barounis’ training consisted of four days a week in Master Yamaguchi's dojo and two days a week with Shihan Yamamoto. After three months of training Shihan Yamamoto was very impressed and organised an additional one-on-one lesson with him every week. In January 1976, after five months of training, he was awarded his Nidan (2nd Dan) by Shihan Yamamoto. He has since been awarded his subsequent grades in both Australia and Japan.
Throughout the years of teaching and training, Sensei Barounis has continually re-visited Japan in; 1980, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1991 and 1992. As has Shihan Yamamoto visited Australia in; 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1997.
Shihan Yamamoto visited Australia in 1997 where he awarded Shihan Barounis his Kyoshi (7th Dan).
In February 2009 Shihan Yamamoto returned to Australia and graded Shihan Barounis to Hanshi (8th Dan).
Hanshi Shihan George Barounis was graded to 9th Dan in August 2014 in Japan by Shihan Yamamoto.
Miyagi Kan Go Ju-Ryu Karate Do was founded by Shihan George Barounis after returning from Japan in 1976. At that time, he had a mere three dojos; Dulwich Hill, Leichhardt and Marrickville. Since then the club has expanded throughout Sydney, consisting of more than ten dojos while also teaching at schools. Not only in Sydney, but Miyagi Kan also has very successful clubs in Northern New South Wales (Lismore) and New Zealand.
Affiliations and Memberships:
* International Karate Organisation
* World Karate Federation
* Australian Karate Federation
* New South Wales Karate Federation
Achievements:
* New South Wales Kata Coach
* New South Wales Kumite Coach
* President of the New South Wales Karate Federation
* Australian Kumite Coach 2002 - present.
* Coached Kristina Mah to World Champion
2010 Belgrade.
* Australian Kumite Coach of the Year
- 2002
- 2003
* Shihan Barounis is also a highly respected instructor and coach in the Australian Martial Art forum producing excellent results both at national, international and world level competition.
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