Instructors

Sensei Sam Gray

4th Degree (Dan) Black Belt

Sam has been training in Seido Karate for almost two decades (see timeline of notable events below).

Sam holds a current BlueCard (Working with Children Check, QLD), Driver Authorisation and Basic First Aid & CPR Certificate. He has also completed the Play By The Rules - Child Protection and Harassment & Discrimination courses.

Sam is assisted at Seido Sunnybank by various black belts (and senior students) with experience teaching students of all ages and abilities.

Sam works as a tax and advisory accountant in Brisbane and outside of karate, he enjoys playing golf and rugby.

2001 - Started Seido in Reefton, New Zealand with Kyoshi Heather White (5th dan) under Eiko Hanshi Andy Barber (8th dan, Nelson, NZ).

2003 - Moved to Mornington, Victoria and began training at the Bayside dojo with Jun Shihan Darek Lebek (6th dan).

2006 - First started assisting with classes at Seido Bayside.

2007 - Promoted to Shodan Senpai (1st dan) in Sydney, NSW by Sei Shihan Ino Maquirang (6th dan), the Branch Chief of Seido Australia.

2012 - Moved to Brisbane, Queensland and began training at Seido Brisbane with Jun Shihan Catherine Anderson and Jun Shihan Glyn Calluthers.

2014 - Became an assistant instructor at Seido Brisbane.

2015 - Promoted to Nidan (2nd dan) at the annual Seido Australia summer camp in Wagga Wagga by Sei Shihan Ino.

2018 - Promoted to Sandan (3rd dan) at the Senior Black Belt Promotion in Sydney, NSW by Sei Shihan Ino.

2023 - Promoted to Yondan Sensei (4th Dan) at the Senior Black Belt Promotion in Brisbane, QLD by Jun Shihan Linda, Jun Shihan Anthony, Jun Shihan Miklos, Jun Shihan Nora, Jun Shihan Phil, Jun Shihan Catherine and Jun Shihan Glyn.

Sam has attended Seido Karate camps in Nelson, NZ (2002, 2003, 2015), Wagga Wagga and Jindabyne, NSW (2004-2005, 2007-2009, 2013-2018) and trained with many Seido seniors across Australia and New Zealand.

Sam has competed at regional, state and international level across various competition circuits, in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the U.S.A.

• Seido Karate International Benefit Tournaments (2002 - Wellington, NZ, 2003 - Sydney, AUS, 2006 & 2016 New York City, USA, 2017 - Aichi, Japan)
• Australian Martial Arts Championships (AMAC) National Titles (2014 - Sydney, AUS)
• Seido Australia National Benefit Tournament (2015, 2016, 2017 & 2019 - Sydney, AUS)
• Seido Australia SOGO (Overall Men's Grand Champion) - 2015 & 2016
• Seido Australia Men's Kumite Grand Champion - 2015 & 2017