Damien Martin
Damien has been training in martial arts since he was 13 years of age. He holds dan grades in Okinawan Goju Ryu, Japanese Goju and modern freestyle karate, as well as being a certified Muay Thai trainer and Docé Pares Eskrima instructor.
Damien worked in the private security industry in Australia for 18 years where he was constantly exposed to some of the seedier and more violent characters in our society; an environment where techniques, tactics and training methods had to work! He has been lucky enough to travel the world with his work and has trained extensively in law enforcement and firearms tactics in the US and the UK.
Through his Dojo Damien is the Gold Coast Shibuchō of Taira Masaji Sensei’s Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenkyukai, and the Chief Instructor of the Gold Coast Kudo Doko Kai and teaches up to 5 classes a day at the Gōki-Kai Karate-Do So Honbu Dojo. He continues to train daily and considers himself a lifelong student.
Currently he actively teaches numerous Karate classes a day to children and adults. He also works part time as a community support worker with at risk youth on the Gold Coast, and as a teacher’s aide for special needs teens.