Instructor

Resident Instructor

BAppSci - Cert III Fitness

David Rush, began learning karate in 1982 after training and competing in boxing and excelling in other sports including soccer and distance track and field, cross country and fun runs. In 1976, he smashed the 1,500 m cross country record by 23 seconds. He competed at state championships but dreamed of competing at the world level.

David passed his 1st to 3rd Dan Black Belt examinations directly under Hirokazu Kanazawa Soke (10th Dan Black Belt and Founder of Shotokan Karate International Federation), his 4th Dan under Nobuaki Kanazawa Kancho and his 5th Dan under Manabu Murakami Shihan. He represented Australia at four consecutive World Karate Championships and was Australian Masters Team member at the 2003 International Championships winning gold in Senior Male Kyu Kata and silver in Senior Male Kyu Kumite.

David is a previous AKF (ACT) Coach and was a previous Australian Team Manager (SKIA) from 2011-2013 and competitor who has won silver in Masters Kata and bronze in both Masters Kumite and Masters Team Kumite at SKIF World Karate Championships plus five Australian masters kata titles and an Australian masters kumite title.

David is a qualified and experienced SKIF International Referee, a SKIA Chief Referee and member of the SKIA National Referees Council. He was awarded the Sensei Memduh Sanli Perpetual Trophy for Officiating Excellence in 2019 and was a previous SKIA NSW committee member (2017-2023). David has developed an extensive teaching background both inside and outside the karate dojo for over 30 years. He is a qualified Australian Sports Commission Coach and qualified Fitness Instructor who has coached dozens of students to state and national tournament success. He has also taught karate at state and national seminars throughout Australia and in Japan and Europe.

As a masters sport karate athelete on the SKIA Team for many years, David has an accute appreciation of the physical and mental committment required to compete at international level. He has faced some formidable opponents and challanges but despite his relative success, it has never been about the trophies. He just wanted to improve his karate, find and push beyond his limits. This was achieved with hard work, self-belief and the support of coaches, instructors, friends and family. Over the years, David has met many challenges with dedication and determination. It hasn't always been easy or successful but he has never given up believing in the possiblities.

David (above) performing kata in the finals at the 2016 SKIF World Championships in Indonesia. David vividly remembers how it felt: "The feeling was almost entirely internal - I didn't hear the crowd or think about opponents or the what ifs. I was in tune with my breathing and timing. I focused on segway between relaxation and explosive movements and how I wanted each technique to feel. When I walked off the mats I was elated. It was similar with kumite - I did my best leaving everything on the matts. I placed 2nd in Kata and 3rd in Kumite. Looking back to the early days of my karate I can see how far I have come, how much I have grown and learned and how my karate has improved. I found my potential and acheived my dreams".