Chief Instructor, for Shushin Kai Goj-Ryu Karate Do

Lincoln McConnell-Brown began studying karate at just 7 years of age, originally in the Gojukensha style. Throughout his years of practice, he attended classes a minimum of 3 times per week, supplemented by private training at home.

With no junior classes available, Lincoln trained with adults and therefore quickly progressed through the grades, achieving 1st kyu Brown belt at 11 years of age. He was graded to Shodan in 1990 at just 16 years of age, Nidan at the Inaugural Goju Ryu Karate Mission International (GKMI) Summer Camp in Bundeena NSW in 1994, Sandan in January 1998, Yondan on 13th January 2003, Godan in October 2014 and Rokudan in December 2021.

In 2005, the club left GKMI, and became known as Shushin Kai solely operated by both Lincoln and his father, Graeme McConnell-Brown.

In order to extend their Goju-Ryu knowledge, they both trained with Kyoshi James Sumarac, 7th Dan Principal Instructor of Goju-Ryu Karate-do Kakurin-Kan, (in Australia, formerly Gojukensha) from 2006 to 2010. In 2010, Shushin Kai became a member dojo of Ichikawa-ha Goju-Ryu Karate-do Sosui-Kai, under the instruction of Tsubamoto Sensei, (10th Dan) with Sensei Lincoln visiting their dojo in Japan on a number of occasions. With the sad passing of Tsubamoto Sensei in 2021, Lincoln and Graeme fortuitously met with Sensei Chris Clifford who is a direct disciple of Grandmaster Sosui Ichikawa and have continued their practice under his mentorship and his assistance in unlocking the secrets of Ichikawa-ha Goju-Ryu.

As a junior and teenager, Lincoln competed in many karate tournaments, accumulating a significant number of trophies for both kata and kumite (fighting). However, Lincoln’s major interest is the practice of traditional budo karate, and so tapered his efforts away from the tournament scene in the mid 1990’s to focus more on the technical, philosophical and personal development aspects of karatedo.

Lincoln’s interest in sport in general led to him completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physical Education at Victoria University. This course exposed him to the rigours of studying and applying a wide range of sports related knowledge including sports psychology, biomechanics, nutrition, sports medicine, sports marketing, ethics and philosophy, anatomy, exercise and rehabilitation prescription and fitness training.

The club is very fortunate in that Lincoln brings his expertise in these areas to his teaching of karate, and so blends modern science and knowledge with traditional martial arts practice. Previous employment as a police officer with Victoria Police has also helped increase the breadth of his practical experience and his exceptional leadership qualities.

During and after his university studies, Lincoln worked as a Sports Trainer in the Australian Football League; for the Western Bulldogs, the now defunct Fitzroy Football Club, and as Rehabilitation Coordinator for the Western Jets. He was also a Melbourne based trainer for the Brisbane Lions during their premiership years and experienced the highs of being part of a 3 premiership winning group and the lows of grand final defeat. His biggest challenge in his younger years was to successfully combine his study of karate with his school and university education, and his practical participation in a wide range of other sporting interests. He is a firm believer in the need to give total commitment, and to become an aggressive and effective time manager.

Today, Lincoln is a Licensed Real Estate Agent, and works as the Head of Asset Management and senior partner for a leading commercial real estate agent firm, mentoring and leading an expert team on a daily basis.

Lincoln’s personal motto is “Go hard, or go home”.

Lincoln McConnell-Brown can be contacted:
Email:senseilinc@yahoo.com.au