Kids Martial Arts: The Focus of Australia’s Youth Self Defence Karate
Australia’s Youth Self Defence Karate was founded in 1994 by Kenpo Freestyle 6th Degree Black Belt, Matt Klein. It was the first club specialising in kids martial arts in Sydney. The classes became an instant hit, with their high-energy, fun, and non-intimidating atmosphere. It is now owned by three of our Head Instructors; Sensei Zoltan Levitt, Sensei Sinem Jenkinson, and Sensei Daniel Jancek.
Kenpo Freestyle includes martial arts from all over the world. There’s rapid-fire hand techniques of American Kenpo. Also included are grappling, throwing, and joint lock techniques from Jujutsu, wrestling, MMA, and Judo. Weapons skills from Japan, China, Korea, and the Philippines are taught. It also includes the powerful punches and kicks of boxing and kickboxing and the flashy jumping and spinning kicks of the Korean martial arts. The simplicity of movements and the emphasis on self confidence that Matt Klein developed from his kids martial arts program were incorporated into Kenpo Freestyle. This makes it a very practical system for self defence.
Kenpo Freestyle Sydney is the top-rated team in NSW six years running
Our Owners/Head Instructors–Trained Specifically to Teach Kids Martial Arts
Zoltan Levitt, 6th Degree Black Belt, is our Northern District Owner. He runs our Northern Sydney schools from the Northern Beaches all the way up through the Hornsby area. Zoltan was Sensei Matt’s assistant for over 20 years, starting as an Orange belt helper at Collaroy in the Northern Beaches of Sydney in 1994. He was the very first assistant instructor in our organisation. Also our first 6th Degree Black Belt, Zoltan has achieved every single black belt specialist award available. He currently teaches at our Mona Vale karate, Forestville, Seaforth, and Collaroy Plateau locations.
Zoltan Levitt strives for excellence in teaching kids martial arts
According to Sensei Matt, “His desire to learn new things in the martial arts is insatiable. He is constantly after me to teach him new techniques. He has even travelled to the U.S. and trained with my sensei, 8th Dan American Kenpo Black belt Todd McElhinney. He returned with several refinements to our Long 4 and 5 Katas, as well as expert self-defence techniques” .
Zoltan has also excelled in martial arts tournaments over the years, particularly in point sparring and forms. “In competiton, he has performed the American Kenpo Long 6 Kata. Which is an unbelievably complex and beautiful Kata, And fought at the highest levels winning several titles in Australia and overseas in the United States. “In sparring classes we call him the “long arm of the law, because his backfist is so fast, if you don’t keep one hand glued to your head, you will get popped”, added Sensei Matt.
“His true talent, however, is in teaching children’s martial arts. I have seen him take over a dozen black belts through very difficult grappling moves. And without any assistance, explain it in a super-easy-to-understand way, keeping their full attention and interest. I think there are only a handful of instructors in Australia that are able to do this”, said Matt. Zoltan, at 6’5″ is the closest thing to a gentle giant you will find. He often injects his sense of humour to get a laugh from the kids. In his spare time he has tutored many kids into becoming top martial artists.
Our Head Instructors
Ben has devoted himself to bringing out the best in our students
Ben Mauger, 3rd Dan, is now running our school at Bellevue Hill after assisting Sensei Matt as second in command for over three years. “Ben has the unique qualification of assisting at just about every school we have. He has helped run the kids martial arts classes for the last five years at Bellevue Hill, Mona Vale, Seaforth, Collaroy, and North Ryde. Ben has even travelled all the way out west to Wentworthville and Doonside to help. He is truly dedicated to helping others in the martial arts and always in search of new skills”, said Sensei Matt.
In Ben’s other life he likes to work with animals, running his own pet services business, and has spent time at Taronga Zoo as an assistant.
Ben Lagan, 3rd Degree Black Belt, is head instructor at our Mosman School and also second in charge at our Mona Vale location. Ben Started learning Karate in the year 2000 in Collaroy (Now Mona Vale School).
Ben started while in kindergarten inspired by the “Power Ranges” TV show, with a group of friends from school. He enjoyed it so much so that he knew it was a great fit for his life. Karate helped his confidence and social skills as he made new friends while discovering his potential.
Ben’s great attitude and friendly nature shines through.
Studying under Sensei Matt to achieve his Black Belt, then afterwards with Sensei Zoltan, “Ben is a great Karate teacher, his dedication is unmatched. He helps the organisation on every level by running his own school, being second in command at Mona Vale also assisting teaching students, adults and black belts at Collaroy Plateau, Seaforth and occasionally Forestville. Ben’s super friendly nature and “can do” attitude really shines in the work he does and through his students” – says Sensei Zoltan.
Ben spends his spare time tutoring kids though their levels very successfully and has a passion for music (live bands in particular) and Pro Wrestling. Ben loves the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) traveling to the states nearly every year to see their main event. Ben also carries their level of enthusiasm into his classes.
All of our instructors have been trained specifically for the purpose of teaching kids martial arts. That is our specialty.
Our Advisor–Sensei Matt Klein
Matt Klein is passionate about teaching kids martial arts
Matt is now retired and is not involved with the business, but serves as an advisor. Matt has trained in the martial arts since high school. He has studied Judo, boxing, wrestling, and karate, finally achieving his black belt in American Kenpo Karate. He has trained in Kenpo since 1986. His study over the years include kickboxing, Jujitsu, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), Kali, and martial arts weaponry. Matt combined this with American Kenpo Karate to form the Kenpo Freestyle Academy in Sydney, Australia in the year 2000. He began focusing on kids martial arts in 1992 after discovering a passion for it while teaching in the USA. Matt is currently a 7th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo and Kenpo Freestyle. He also holds a Brown belt rank in Japanese Jujutsu and a Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.