Our Instructor's Profile
Read about Ben Brillante Sensei and his martial arts journey.
Ben Brillante Sensei is the ACT branch manager and a certified karate instructor for Goshukan Karate Academy. He tested and attained his 3rd Dan (Sandan) Black Belt certification in Osaka, Japan, with the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) Gojukai in August 2023, and his 3rd Dan (Sandan) Black Belt certification in Wollongong, NSW, with Goju-Ryu Karatedo Seiwakai in November 2022. As a martial arts instructor and school owner, Ben maintains his certifications in First-Aid and registration for "Working With Vulnerable People" with the ACT Government.
Ben's martial arts journey began in Western Sydney, NSW, in April 1996 with GKR Karate at age 18. He was mesmerised by the art and found himself training regularly, including joining the club's state tournament team and competing in numerous tournaments for several years. Ben graded to 1st Dan (Shodan) Black Belt with the club in 2000.
In 2002, Ben moved to Canberra, ACT, to begin his Bachelor of Graphic Design studies at the University of Canberra, putting his karate training on hold. And two short years later, in 2004, the local karate club International Karate Shobukai started classes at the university where Ben trained for several years, earning his 1st Dan (Shodan) Black Belt in 2008. While with Shobukai, Ben competed in several state National All-Styles tournaments, placing 1st and 2nd in all the sparring events he entered.
Later in 2008, Ben decided to give his martial arts training a break to devote more time to building a business and improving his skills in Latin dancing. His 12 years in Latin dance have taken him to many destinations around Australia and the world, teaching, choreographing and performing with his team in front of large audiences.
In May 2017, Ben resumed his martial arts journey with GKR Karate. And in 2018, he began to cross-train with Goshukan Karate Academy to further his knowledge of the martial art. In December of the same year, he attained his 2nd Dan (Nidan) Black Belt with GKR.
During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2019-20 and while in lockdown, Ben's training with Goshukan Karate Academy became more frequent as the opportunity to train regularly via live camera feed became readily available. Then at the end of the lockdowns, Ben travelled to Sydney as often as he could for training with the club's chief instructor, Stacey Karetsian Shihan. Finally, in early 2021, after three years of training with Goshukan Karate Academy, Ben committed to extending the club's reach in the ACT, officially starting classes on 5 February 2021.
Outside karate training and teaching, Ben runs and manages his own software and web design company full-time. He leads teams, working closely with stakeholders designing and developing digital solutions for several high-profile organisations in Australia and overseas.
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