How Busselton Martial Arts Became One of WA’s Leading Martial Arts Schools

Where It All Began – The 1980s

Busselton Martial Arts (BMA), known today as Busselton Koryukan, has deep roots going back to 1986, when our Chief Instructor, Craig Crampton, first stepped onto the dojo floor in Bridgetown under the guidance of Klaus Mueller (now Renshi Shihan, 6th Dan). As part of a police initiative at the time for wayward kids, Craig became Bridgetown’s very first black belt and a prominant student in the Manjimup dojo.

Training was intense, and many dropped out early — but not Craig. Through grit and perseverance, he earned his first grade in 1987 and continued training while others gave up.

(photo 1) Craig as a yellow belt (photo 2) Craig as a black belt with Klaus Shihan

Into the 90s – Early Teaching and a Move to Busselton

By the late ’80s, Craig was already assisting with teaching. After achieving his black belt in 1991, he took on a bigger role, training up to four nights a week while balancing high school, Muay Thai kickboxing, and part-time jobs.

In 1994, after relocating to Busselton for a furniture-making apprenticeship, he was given permission to open his first dojo.

This marked the birth of martial arts in Busselton.

(photo 1) Craig Sensei with Paul Starling Hanshi (photo 2) Sensei Craig with Grandmaster Goshi Yamaguchi in 1996

(photo 3) Craig Sensei with Ramon Lawrence Kyoshi  (photo 3) WA State Champions

Growth and New Disciplines – The 2000s

Over the next decade, Craig expanded his training into traditional Japanese weapons arts (Iaido and Jodo) and opened additional classes in Dunsborough. He earned multiple black belts and became a state champion in Jodo. By 2005, he was recognized internationally, nominated for the WUKO Hall of Fame, and even received a dojo name from a Japanese Master Swordsman: Shinbukan, meaning “High-Quality Traditional Dojo of Budo.”

Nagyama Sensei with Craig Sensei and handwritten notes from 2005 for ‘Shinbukan’

Training in Japan and Overcoming Setbacks

Craig travelled to Japan, training with legendary instructors and receiving personal recognition from and including Masao Akita Shihan and Grandmaster Gonnahyoe Yamamoto of IKO GoJu Ryu.

But life wasn’t without setbacks — Craig also an internationally recognised fine furniture artisan, closing his workshop during the GFC, a serious back injury and later, a heart attack in 2012, Craig stepped back from real estate and expanded his dojo to be Busselton’s first full-time classical karate dojo in 2013 with just 17 students.

His resilience paid off.

(Japan Trip 2004 at the IKO Honbu Dojo in Tokyo)

Building a Legacy – 2014 Onwards

In 2014, after 30 years with his original association, Craig retired from that group and created his own school: Shinbukan Karate Australia, now aptly named Busselton Koryukan (after legal trademark issues of someone registering the name) and BMA – Busselton Martial Arts collectively.

Under the guidance of Hanshi Patrick McCarthy (founder of Koryu Uchinadi), BMA grew rapidly — offering 28 weekly classes, welcoming over 120 students, and training a dozen assistant instructors. Craig was awarded his 5th Dan and the title of Shihan, recognising decades of dedication.

Craig and Rebecca married in 2010 and Klaus Mueller awarding Sensei Craig with his 3rd Dan Black Belt back a long time ago

and Today

BMA: A Centre of Excellence in Traditional and Functional Martial Arts

Busselton Martial Arts (BMA) has firmly established itself as one of Western Australia’s most respected and accomplished full-time martial arts academies. With a reputation built on traditional values, age-appropriate self-defence, and inclusive, high-calibre instruction for all ages, BMA continues to lead the way in developing confident, capable martial artists—regardless of prior experience.

What sets BMA apart is its structured and progressive curriculum, grounded in the GoJu-Ryu & Koryu Uchinadi systems. These internationally respected frameworks not only inspires and adapts to any background of training but also enhances the knowledge of seasoned martial artists. In fact, BMA has become a beacon for black belts from other styles seeking deeper understanding, functional application, and renewed purpose in their martial arts journey.

BMA is proud to be affiliated with prestigious governing bodies, including the International RyuKyu Karate Research Society (IRKRS) and the Australian Traditional Karate Federation (ATKF). It is also one of the only officially recognised SHIBU Dojos in Western Australia for Koryu Uchinadi, under the direction of the esteemed instructor Hanshi Patrick McCarthy, 10th Dan.

In 2022—remarkably just 12 weeks after undergoing major open-heart surgery—Chief Instructor Craig Crampton Shihan was awarded his Rokudan (6th Dan) in Okinawa at the first-ever international gathering of Koryu Uchinadi. A lifelong martial artist, Craig Shihan holds advanced rankings in classical Karate, and extensive experience in Aiki Kempo Jujutsu, plus a wide range of Kobudo weaponry, including Kenjutsu, Iaido, Jodo, Bo, Sai, and Tanto. He is widely regarded as one of the region’s most sought-after instructors in practical bunkai (applied technique) and reality-based self-defence. 

The Dojo is now in its 32nd year (as of 2025), BMA proudly maintains an active membership of over 120–150 students, with several long-time members celebrating milestones of 10, 20, and even 30 years of training. The successful AWARE360 program—developed for teenagers—has been integrated into local high schools, reinforcing BMA’s commitment to community engagement and youth empowerment.

Busselton Martial Arts continues to set the standard in martial arts education in Western Australia—a legacy built on tradition, shaped by innovation, and guided by excellence. His dedication his whole life to the martial arts shows in everything that he does, his three children have been training since they were all 3 years old, 2 with black belt ranks and after 17 years, his wife Rebecca has taken to the mats and started training in her late 40’s. Showing that it is never to late to start.

When only the best will do, not only in training, but also for mental and social support networks for teens and adults, BMA is the place to be at. 

 ‘Study the old to Understand the New’

L-R

(Photo 1) Hanshi McCarthy with Craig Sensei at the KU Honbu Dojo

(Photo 2) Craig Shihan with his instructor of 30 years Klaus Mueller Renshi Shihan

(Photo 3) Craig Sensei with Bill Johansen Renshi Shihan in Brisbane KU Honbu Dojo