Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Est. 1992

Style and Background

1962 Judo

It started when Sijo Robert Z's brother took him to Judo training 1962. Since then, despite moving over thirty times across four countries, Robert Z kept training judo until early 1971.

1971 - Karate

After another move, Robert came across Karate where he worked and started training. A year later, he was conscripted into the army. Even during his army time, whenever he could, Robert continued training with the Way of the Open Hand Karate School. In the army, he met Lt. Hans Herman, a seemingly normal officer who had incredible fighting skills. As the captain's driver, Robert had much time to spare and to spar with the lieutenant. He did not fight fair which opened a whole new world of combat styles to Robert only used to Judo and Karate. They trained frequently, until Robert was discharged as a 2nd lieutenant end 1973.

Karate training continued, and in 1974 Robert Z competed in the European Championship open division of full contact and was disqualified due to the use of illegal techniques that he learned from Hans Herman. In 1975, her was a runner up but could not defeat Spiro, a Greek champion and mountain of a man. In 1976 he achieved his Black Sash and won the European Full Contact Championship against Spiro. Three months later, Sensei Arno died in a car accident in France. There was no going to another Karate school.

1976 - Aikido

Robert's best friend at the time, Wolfgang, a highly intelligent taxi driver, introduce him to the then, mystical art of Aikido, and to Christine. Sensei Chris was a powerhouse of a teacher and her sessions were limited to five or six people. No matter how tough the Robert's engineering studies were, Monday, Wednesday, Friday evenings, and Sunday morning were training. He only missed one week of training in February 77 when he married his wife Dagmar. In 1982, Sensei 2nd Dan Christine organized her third degree grading and Roberts first degree. A woman grading to a third degree attracted the attention of the styles founder, and he traveled all the way from Okinawa Hamburg Germany for the grading. Just 2 weeks shy of migrating to Australia, Robert graded for his Aikido Black Belt with Sensei Christine to her third dan, graded and accredited by Master Matsimusi.

1982 - Kung Fu

On arriving in Melbourne, Australia, with the considerable help of his sister-in-law and a professional typist, Robert sent out two-hundred and fifty seven job applications. Six replied, four negatively: Robert took the job with Erickson. Two months later, and Telstra replied and Robert moved across to them as an electronic engineer, on probation.

At the same time, Robert and Dagmar joined a gym but it was boring, except that a level above was a martial art class. They tried it out and became members of the Golden Lion Academy. No money, unlimited training membership, Robert trained 6 years training 8 times a week (twice on Saturdays) often in the beginner, intermediate, advanced, and black sash classes. In this way, Dagmar and Robert saved up enough money to put a 30% deposit on the house they still live in. After living in so many places,it is meant to be their last home.

Towards the late 80's, Robert became restless with the Academy and their move from kung fu to wushu. After reaching Black Sash there also seemed no where to go so he started cross training, seeking out unusual styles. Ninjitsu, Northern Praying Mantis, Taekwondo, Capoeira, Kick boxing, Savate, Viet Vo Dao, Chin Na, Tong Long, and others. His restlessness and cross training did not go down well with the academy so the chief instructor asked Robert to 'take a break'. His restlessness contributed to this mostly.

1992 - Liang-I Shaolin Kung Fu

Initially, Sijo taught private students but it got too much, and on Wednesday 24 June 1992, Robert and Dagmar ran the first Liang-I Lifestyle Shaolin Kung Fu Academy class; yes, a mouthful. Most just called it Shaolin Kung Fu. In 1993 Robert Z received an invitation to teach at the Association for the Blind in Kooyong. It was the first of many wins. At the height of the academy, there were up to 6 active venues running.

1996 - First WEB site, Cyber Kung Fu

By now Sijo Robert Z created training videos for his professionally traveling members. When the Academy had their first web page, he offered the two 4 hour VHS tapes with a workbook online. Many were sold, but there were just as many people calling kung fu training recordings as impossible, unethical, even fraudulent. Yet, despite this, over 1000 copies sold then came the CD era. Suddenly, there were many people offering online training but none as the original. The two tapes we sent had four hours of learning material, and the other had thirteen, fifteen minute workout segments once the technique from the first recording were learned.

1999 - Mordialloc

A fantastic venue, Sijo amalgamated the Frankston and Highett venue into Mordialloc. At that time there were venues also in Bentleigh, City, Caulfield, ahead of the city, Highett, Kyoong, Bentleigh, Frankston, Greensborough, and Camberwell, and for a short time, Clayton.

2002 - Shaolin Kung Fu Academy

As with anything, the academy expanded and Robert Z took the club full time in 2002, quitting his engineers position, after the academy returned from training in Shaolin, Henan China and other large Wushu schools in Xian, Kerfeng, Beijing, and Quangdong.

2012 - Cancer

Roberts wife Dagmar was diagnosed with breast cancer. This had a significant impact on them both and the Academy shrunk down to three, then two, then only one venue.

2024 - Today

Dagmar is still dealing with the cancer well. Mordialloc is still going well with four sessions a week, but with less than thirty members. Sijo thinks he will never stop training unless...

We are happy to hear from you and answer you martial art, health and developmental questions. If you wish to train with us, the first 3 sessions are free. It is best to try these before making any commitment. If you have any other questions or would lust like to explore some possibilities, you can;

Mountains of Information on this WEB site

You may have noticed the looooooong list to the right side of this page. Those are the main pages; there are a lot more and it is easy to get lost whilst exploring the Shaolin Academy WEB site and all the information on kung fu, martial arts, training, etc. We suggest that when you do get lost, just come back to this Home Page and close all the other Tabs in your browser. The whole site is SSL secured (hover with your mouse over the SSL for info) and any links to the few pages other than our own have been vetted by us. You are safe when on the shaolin.com.au sites as both are Shaolin Academy sites!