In 1971 the late Sensei Frank Nowak came to Australia from Japan and commenced instructing in Sydney. The NSW Association was formed in 1973 and soon after, similar Associations commenced in Queensland and Tasmania, under the guidance of Sensei Nowak.
In 1974 these three States formed the Shotokan Karate Association of Australia (SKAA) (as it was then known) and in 1976 became affiliated with Shotokan Karate International, headed by Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa.
On 6 July 1977 the first National Championships were held in Sydney and the same year saw the Associations of Victoria and South Australia formed. In 1979 five States were represented and competed at the 3rd SKAA National Championships.
In 1980, Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa, for the first time visited Australia. He returned again in 1982 and now visits Australia regularly for the Shotokan Week Seminar and Championships.
Western Australia joined in 1981 and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was the last to join the Association, doing so in 1995.
Since then, Shotokan Karate International has had a remarkable growth, to a point where it now has representation in over 90 countries throughout the world. In Australia, the SKAA is now known as Shotokan Karate International Australia (SKIA) and has approximately 55 clubs around the country.
SKIA does not have an Australian based Chief Instructor but rather is run by an elected National Committee under which are separate State bodies. The funds generated by SKIA are used principally for the purpose of maintaining a very high technical standard, reinforced by visits from overseas instructors.
Ever since Australia’s participation in the first World SKIF Championships in Tokyo 1983, Shotokan Karate International Australia has gone from strength to strength.
