Instructors
The black belts who teach.
Sixteen black belts, led by the founder. Most came up through this dojo; several have trained at the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. There is a black belt in every class.
Founder & chief instructor
Andrew Roubas
Hanshi · 9th Dan
“Just like a canvas that is being painted, often it is hard to reach perfection. There can always be an extra shadow or additional colour to add. But this is the measure of a real artist; whether it is with a paint brush or the empty hand.”
On the record
- Founded Roubas Goju Ryu Karatedo Academy in 1984
- Direct student of Yamamoto Soshihan
- More than one hundred black belts graduated
- Fifty years of continuous training and teaching, marked by the dojo in 2020
- Recognised by the Australian Karate Federation
The honour board
Senior black belt instructors
Name and rank — the way the plaques on the hall wall do it. Photographs to follow.
- 01Stefan RoubasKyoshi8th Dan
- 02Paul DovicoKyoshi8th Dan
- 03Jayson CookRenshi6th Dan
- 04Anna RoubasShihan5th Dan
- 05Nigel HookSensei4th Dan
- 06Claudio NietoSensei4th Dan
- 07Antonio FenandesSensei4th Dan
- 08Michael ThomakosSensei4th Dan
- 09Jesse JenkinsSensei3rd Dan
- 10Xavier HookSensei3rd Dan
- 11Paul GorSensei3rd Dan
- 12Tanya SharmaSensei2nd Dan
- 13James LentrosSensei2nd Dan
- 14Sahil SharmaSensei1st Dan
- 15Joe YounanSensei1st Dan
How we teach
Every student known by name
Every instructor at Roubas Goju Ryu was once a beginner on this floor. Teaching here means remembering that: every student has their own reasons for training, their own pace and their own sticking points.
Instructors don't just demonstrate a technique and move on. They correct one-to-one, they explain why, and they keep a class small enough that nobody gets lost at the back of the room.
- Ratio
- A black belt in every class; often several.
- Standard
- The same syllabus and grading standard at both dojos.
- Safety
- Working With Children Checks held by all instructors.
Come and meet them.
Your first class is free. An instructor meets you at the door and trains beside you for the hour.
Ages 8+ & adults · Concord & Carlingford