Jun Shihan Tony Cope
6th Dan
Jun Shihan Tony started his martial arts training in 1979. Very keen on the combative element of Seido Karate Do he attended Dunedin’s Green Island Boxing Club throughout 1982. After attaining Shodan in Dunedin in September, 1985, he spent two years training in Geelong, Australia, training under Sensei Mervin Nellis. Jun Shihan Tony also spent time training in London under Hanshi Steve Arneil, a Kyokushin Master. Jun Shihan Tony has trained with Sensei Graeme Spinks and attained his Yellow Belt in Judo.
Jun Shihan Tony has successfully competed in numerous tournaments, both Seido tournaments and also other martial arts styles. He has contributed to Seido Shibu as a student, a teacher, a competitor and a coach, in essence, completing the full circle of a karate journey. As a coach, he drew inspiration both from Hanshi Renzie, and also from Dr John Helleman’s triathlon programme which included periodization to maximise physical performance.
Jun Shihan Tony’s key tournament successes and coaching roles are listed below to serve as an inspiration for our younger members coming up through the ranks.
1989 – National Seido Tournament, LW Kumite; Sogo
1989 – NZ Zen Do Kai Kickboxing Tournament, MW Kumite
1990 – National Seido Tournament, LW Kumite; Black Belt Men’s Kata
1991 – Completed a 6-week scholarship in NYC under Kaicho Nakamura
1991 – Temuka Kickboxing Tournament, LW Kumite
1991 – National Kyokushin Tournament, MW Kumite
1992 – National Kickboxing Tournament, LW Kumite
1992 - National Seido Tournament, LW Kumite
1994 - National Seido Tournament, LW Kumite
1994 – British Kyokushin Tournament, LW Kumite [the first non-Kyokushin competitor to take this title]
1996 – World Seido Karate Tournament, LW Kumite; 2nd place Black Belt Men’s Kata
2002 - National Seido Tournament, MW Kumite
2011 – Coached the ‘quake-proof’ Christchurch Tournament Team for the National Seido Tournament, Wellington
2012 – Coached the Christchurch Tournament Team for the National Seido Tournament, Wellington
2013 - Coached the Christchurch Tournament Team for the National Seido Tournament, Wellington
