Sensei Mark Szalajko was first graded in 1987

Sensei Mark Szalajko first started training karate all the way back in 1987.

He started training with the Japan Karate Association in his high school hall, Evans High School which is located in Blacktown in 1987.

His first ever grade was 9th kyu in Japan Karate Association, and was awarded to him on the 26th of October 1987.

 

This is the grade Sensei Mark is most proud of and values the most. It started him on a journey that has lasted over 30 years and is still going strong.

 

At that time his Sensei was John Ashwood who unfortunately, like several other of Sensei Mark’s teachers over the decades is no longer with us.