Chris's Martial Arts Background
Karate
Chris began training in Sikaran Karate under Albert Urbiztondo in 1973. At the time, he was training intensely—4 hours a day, 7 days a week. He earned his black belt from Albert on October 19, 1976.
In 1974, Chris competed in his first FAKO tournament, where his first match was against Kyokushin legend Nick Kujik. The following year, in 1975, he started his first martial arts school in Cronulla. He also began representing Albert at FAKO meetings, where he met several prominent martial artists, including Frank Nowak, John Taylor, Peter Wolfe, John Newman, Paul Starling, and Richard Bradford.
Chris later joined Richard Bradford’s Goshin Ryu Karate and ran the full-time live-in instructor's course, where he taught many black belts their senior katas.
In 1981, he opened his full-time dojo in the Blue Mountains and also demonstrated Karate at the Sydney Opera House that same year. Later, he and his brother promoted Arjuken Karate together.
In 1989, Chris became the NSW Full Contact Karate Champion. Then in 1994, he toured Japan and competed in the World Full Contact Karate Championships, reaching the final 8. During the tour, he also gave a lecture on martial arts to over 100 black belts and masters from around the world. That year, Masayuki Kukan Hisataka awarded him a 6th Dan Black Belt in Koshiki Karate.
At one point, Chris and his brother Leigh were training in 86 different katas across Karate, Arnis, Kendo, weapons, and more.
Arnis
In 1978, Chris first learned Arnis from his brother Jeff, who had recently returned from training in the Philippines.
The following year, in 1979, the two brothers demonstrated Arnis at the Sydney Opera House.
From the early 1980s onward, Grand Master Ernesto Presas frequently toured Australia and was based at Chris’s dojo in Leura during each visit. These tours played a major role in the development of Arnis in the region:
- In 1981, Grand Master Presas toured with Master Willie Madla.
- In 1983, he returned with Masters Leonard Trigg and Willie Madla.
- In 1986, he toured with Masters Christino Vasquez and Pepe Yap. During this visit, Chris was accidentally cut during a demonstration when Grand Master Presas sliced a watermelon off his stomach with a sword—an accident that resulted in 40 stitches.
In 1989, Chris competed at the 1st World Arnis Championships, earning 2nd place in both Forms and Full Contact Sparring.
In 1990, Grand Master Presas toured again, this time accompanied by Masters Christino Vasquez, Pepe Yap, Renee Tongson, Quirino Austria, and Lawrence Hollanday. That same year, Chris also had the opportunity to train with Grand Master Remy Presas.
At the 2nd World Arnis Championships in 1991, Chris again placed 2nd in Full Contact Sparring, narrowly losing to his student, World Champion Jeff Allen. His students also excelled—Mark Ahern won the Forms Championship, and Sarah Hegemans won the Women’s Forms Championship. Chris served as the Head Referee for the event.
Today, Chris continues to teach Arnis and has graded 87 Australian students to black belt in the art.
BJJ Brazilian jiu Jitsu
Chris and his brother Leigh began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in 1994 after being inspired by Royce Gracie’s performances in the early UFC events. Initially, they taught themselves using instructional videos. In 1995, one of Chris’s Arnis students, Steve Meakes—who was training with Anthony Lange—began teaching them on weekends.
Chris's BJJ journey quickly gained momentum:
- In June 1996, he attended a seminar with Jean Jacques Machado, John Will, and Richard Norton.
- In August 1997, he trained at a seminar led by Peter de Been in Bowral, organized by Mark Carey. Chris later affiliated with Peter de Been and invited him to run a 4-day seminar at the Leura dojo in January 2000.
From 1998 onward, Chris and his students began competing in the Pan Pacific Championships.
In February 2001, Paulo Guimaraes visited Leura for a 2-day seminar organized by Chris De Weaver. A turning point came on March 25, 2001, when Carlos Gracie Jr. black belt Marcelo Rezende visited the Leura dojo. After wrestling with Marcelo for over an hour that day, Chris asked if he would teach regularly at the school. Marcelo agreed—and from that point on, the dojo had a full-time BJJ instructor.
That same year, 2001, World Champion Rafael Correa (Gordinho) also taught a seminar at the Leura dojo, followed by World Champion Bruno Fernandes in 2002. Chris continued expanding his experience by attending seminars with Royce Gracie in 2002 and Royler Gracie in 2004. He and Leigh also attended another Royce Gracie seminar in 2009.
Over the years, Chris has trained with many prominent figures in BJJ and MMA, including:
Jean Jacques Machado, Rigan Machado, Roger Gracie, Rodrigo Gracie, Clark Gracie, Royce Gracie, Gregor Gracie, Kayron Gracie, Royler Gracie, Bruno Fernandes, Eddie Bravo, Bruno Alves, Flavio Almeida, Roberto “Tussa” Alencar, John Will, Richard Norton, Peter de Been, Anthony Lange, Elvis Sinosic, Anthony Perosh, and Rafael Correa (Gordinho).
Chris received his black belt from Marcelo Rezende. His continued dedication led to the following milestones:
- 2011: Flavio Almeida visited Gracie Barra Blue Mountains.
- January 2012: Bruno Alves taught a 3-day seminar at the Leura dojo.
- 2013: Chris received his 1st Degree Black Belt from Marcelo and Bruno Fernandes.
- 2015: He received his 2nd Degree Black Belt from Marcelo Rezende, Gregor Gracie, and Kayron Gracie.
- 2017: Chris was honored with a Gracie Barra Loyalty Award from Marcelo.
- 2018: He received his 3rd Degree Black Belt from Marcelo.
- 2023: Chris was awarded his 4th Degree Black Belt by Marcelo Rezende.
Kendo
Chris began his Kendo training under Grand Master Ernesto Presas. He later continued his practice at the Willoughby Kendo Dojo in Sydney, where he met respected Kendo practitioners Ron Bennett and Michael Payne.
Michael eventually started a Kendo class in Minchinbury, which Chris attended regularly along with Steve Yip. When travel to Minchinbury became difficult, Chris invited Michael to teach at his Leura dojo. When Michael was no longer able to make the trip, Don Miller stepped in and took over instruction at the Leura dojo.
Chris's Teachers
Albert Urbiztondo
Jeff Traish ( Chris’s Brother )
Jeff Traish ( Chris’s Brother )
Sikaran Karate 1973 to 1977
Jeff Traish ( Chris’s Brother )
Jeff Traish ( Chris’s Brother )
Jeff Traish ( Chris’s Brother )
1974 to Present – Head Instructor ARJUKEN Karate Australia
Grand Master Ernest Presas
Jeff Traish ( Chris’s Brother )
Grand Master Ernest Presas
1981 to 1994 – Arnis , Ju Jitsu , Kendo , Karate and Weapons
Steve Yip
Leigh Olsson
Grand Master Ernest Presas
1984 – 1988 – Judo and Kendo
Leigh Olsson
Leigh Olsson
Leigh Olsson
1985 to 2015 Traing partner & Co Author of “an Overview of Martial Arts "
Peter Baker
Leigh Olsson
Leigh Olsson
1986 to 2015 – Boxing and street fighting
Ron Bennett
Michael Payne
Michael Payne
1986 – Kendo
Michael Payne
Michael Payne
Michael Payne
1986 Kendo
Don Miller
Michael Payne
Steve Meakes
1986 to Present Kendo – Don Runs our Kendo class Thursday 7.30 pm
Steve Meakes
Marcelo Rezende
Steve Meakes
1996 Chris’s First BJJ Teacher
Peter De Been
Marcelo Rezende
Marcelo Rezende
1997 to 2001 BJJ
Marcelo Rezende
Marcelo Rezende
Marcelo Rezende
2001 to Present – My current BJJ Teacher
People Chris has trained with
KARATE
Albert Urbiztondo , Jeff Traish , Masayuki Kukan Hisataka ,Hiroshi Hisataka , Patrick Macarthy , Fumio Demura , Masamitsu Kudaka , Tino Ceberano , Frank Novak , Scott Brown , Kazu Sato , Paul Starling , Peter Wolfe , Nick Kujak , John Newman , Phil Hooper , Chan Chuck Fei , John Taylor , Brian Hayes , Essi Fard , Ian Pollet , Ben Pollet , Carol Legalle , Warren Hickey , Vic Charles , Richard Bradford , Richard Marlin , Pat McKean , Mega Martinez Suzuki , Ivan Pachek , Glenn Stephenson , Grant Radcliffe , Chris Pearce , John Gaddy , Chun Mon Tasang , Tsutomu Sato , Mourado Louali , Shaun O’Leary , Rick Jones , Dave Hawkins , Kevin Blundell , June Lowrey , Graham Bingham , Richard Schumaker , Jeff Barnes , Mark Bornstein , Mark Azzopardi , Tony Azzopardi , Zulu , Denis Watts , Damiun Watts , Geoff Spice , Colin Leong , Nigel McReaddie , Robert Williams , Ron Hayworth , Glen Levick , Daryl Bosley , Francois Andres , Migel Andres , Rob Elliot , Steven Fekete Von , Mamadou Hady Balde , Charlene Machin , Guy Beatie , Mark Carey, Jim Philips , Rayne Hull , Cameron Ritchie , Peter Orford , John Edie , Paul Leary , Sean Wright , Gavin Wright , Jason Wright , Paul Brunton , Mick Spinks , Frank Urbiztondo , Graeme Bowden , Mel Wallace , Rod Thornberry , Dale Thornberry , Jason Gay , Kip Stavrou , Hugh Lynch-Gardner , Rene Roggeveen , Matt King , Des Paroz , Kerrie Mee , Ben Vale , Howard Sanders , Olaf Lotze – Leoni , Anthony O’Leary , Max Estens
ARNIS
Ernesto Presas , Remy Presas , Roberto Presas , Jon Jon Presas , Rene Tongson , Christino Vasquese , Pepe Yap , Willie Madla , Quirino Austria , Lawrence Hollandae , Samuel Bamit Dulay , Deiter Kniutel , Yohan Skalberg , Leonard Trigg , Claes Johansson , Leif Yohanssen , Martin Karlsson Perry Gamsby , John Bond , Peter Ricketts, Steve Meakes , Hanne Muller , Dean Lawler , Edwin Lim ,
BJJ
Marcelo Rezede , Peter De Been , John Will , Rodger Gracie , Royce Gracie , Royler Gracie , Rodrigo Gracie , Clark Gracie , Kayron Gracie , Gregor Gracie , Jean Jaques Machado , Rigan Machado , Vinicius Draculino Magalhaes , Mario Sperry , Andre Galvao , Bruno Fernandes , Rafael Correa ( Gordinho ) , Flavio Almeida , Antonio Carlos Jnr , Roberto Alancar , Bruno Alves , Eddie Bravo , Richard Norton , Kit Dale , Anthony Lange , Elvis Sinosic , Anthony Perosh , Marko Joco , Thelmo Natijo , Guga Pinto, Fred Carvalho , Julio Guerra , Marcio Lemos , Pedro Dornelles , Danilo Coltro , Fabio Bertolli , Chris Sales , Genao De Crewis , Jo Thompson , Pedro Rodrigues , Wil Chim , Wal Chim , Sasha Bracher , Matt Schwass, Steven Bowerman , Adrian Yazbeck , Mark Silberg , Felipe Lunardi , Davis Jenkinson , Atsushi Oshima , Mohamed Abdi , Gabriel Colomb , Tom Caradine , Jacob Staader , Brian Pereira , Sean Fong , Karen Naisoro , Christiano Dantas , Marcelo Moyses , Nick Bova , Fabio Glazer , Stephan Kamphuis , Fabio Galeb , Pina Simpson , Steve Oliver , Grayson West , Jamie Ballard , Peter Polygenus , Mat Hamilton , Grant Radcliffe , Hope Douglas , Brad Monk , Vincent Mollica , Severino Taruia , Marco Gigante Villela , Mario Sergio Yokoyama , Kevin Mcconochie , Shane Lambert , Chris DeWeaver , Larry Papadopulis , Luke Beston , Paulo Guimaraes, Bruno Panno ,Luke Pezzutti , Peter King , Rodney Ellis , Adam Kahoon , Brad Paterson , Bob Watson , Mark Carey , Steve Williams , Stuart Naime , Tiago Braga , Steve Purcival , Marcus Neville , Taigo Ferrira , Alex Scott , Richard Sargeant , James Tomlinson , Owen Gee Kee , Erivaldo Junior , Eddy Kaliboti , Felipe Grez , Cameron Elder , George Adams , Antoine Jarjoura , Robert Cooley , Ryan Henry
MMA
Royce Gracie , Mario Sperry , Mark Hunt , Elvis Sinosic , Anthony Perosh , James Te Huna , Brad Morris , Tyson Pedro , Ashan Mokhtarian , Suman Mokhtarian , Larry Papadopulis , Anthony Lange , Luke Pezzutti , Tony Bonello , John Pedro , Karl Webber , Ruthless Beau Rawiri , Wayne Cummins , Blair Dennett , Mitchell Birkit , Alby Antman Figueira , Helio Pinto , James Elias Najim , Joel Noonan , Trent Girdam , Chris Klimis , Adam Corbet , Erick Bayot , Justin Murray , Hugh Cameron , Raymart Quintana , Darwin Sugurit , Joshua Culibao , Justin Murray
KENDO
Michael Payne , Ron Bennett , Don Miller , Rex Lawley , Jamie Fenesey , Andrew Melito , Russel Lawrence , Ramon Lawrence , Takeo Kitazono , Doug Milton , Kazutaki Uchiro , Mitsuo Yamada , Megumi Yamada , Takayuki Hojo , Akihiro Onishi , Atsunobu Nakanshi , Atsushi Okabe , Avako Onishi , EmikoHyodo ,Fumito Hiramura , Hayoto Ilamura , Hideo Onishi , Hiroko Yamada , Hironobu Nakanishi , Hiroshi Imai , Hitokazu Onishi Juntaro Imumi , Kaori Izumi , M Itodagawa
OTHER MARTIAL ARTS
Ed Parker , Chi Sirisute , Kru Toy Sityodtong , Uoddecha Sityodtong , Phil Hinshelwood , John Hinshelwood , Steve Ryan , Yit Man , Wal Missingham , John Suttle , Bill Wells , Sid Neale , Terry Healy , Chris Smirski , Phil Monaghan , Andrew Welch ,Earle Montigue ,Stuart Le Marsley , Dale Hunt , Jeff White , Paul May , Phillip Wang , Andrew Johnson , Daniel Ray Cabalhin , Stuart Brookes , Dearne Fulcher , Paul Zadro , Jason Lapin , Robert Vukovic ,