Meet Our Instructors
At Bayside Kyokushin Karate we pride ourselves on having highly experienced instructors with a large number of years experience practicing and teaching Karate. All instructors have internationally recognised black belt certificates and deliver a balanced teaching of the traditional Japanese art with modern training methods. Instructors hold working with children checks and basic first aid certificates.
Sensei Thomas Clayton
Sensei Thomas began training at the Bendigo Kyokushin Karate Dojo under Shihan Lance McInnes in 2000 at the age of 14. Like his four brothers who started Kyokushin around the same time, he had a desire to develop strength the ability to fight. In 2006 moved to Melbourne for studies and continued training under the legendary master, Hanshi Eddie Emin at Moorabbin Dojo.
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For the first 15 years of training he competed every year in a number of tournaments achieving two Victorian State Titles, an Australian Lightweight Title and gained experience competing in Japan. In 2014 Sensei Thomas earned his Sandan (3rd dan) black belt and began focusing on teaching the next generation of Karateka.
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Sensei Thomas has experience in a range of martial arts including Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Boxing and is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Australian BJJ pioneer, Peter de Been. As an instructor, he aims to challenge his students to become better versions of themselves both mentally and physically. Sensei Thomas is passionate about creating a welcoming environment that balances modern training methods with the traditional art.
Sensei Renato Marsilli
Sensei Renato's martial arts journey began as a young boy at a karate dojo in Chincha, Peru. He was instantly at home in a dojo, where he could develop the strength, discipline and self-confidence to be able to face the challenges of adversity and bullying. His love of martial arts and karate would evolve to become a guiding light that would shape his character and enrich his life in countless ways .
Over a number of decades and from Peru to Australia, Sensei Renato trained in a number of striking disciplines including Tae Kwon Do, different karate styles and Muay Thai. In 2009 he began training in Kyokushin Karate under Hanshi Eddie Emin, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to the traditions, techniques and philosophies of the art. His relentless pursuit of mastery and unwavering dedication culminated in achieving the rank of Sandan (3rd dan) black belt in 2019.
Through his teachings, Sensei Renato aims to share not only the physical techniques of the art, but also its profound philosophical insights, guiding students on a transformative journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Whether a novice seeking guidance, or seasoned practitioner on their own path to mastery, Sensei Renato invites all members to join him on the journey which is Kyokushin Karate.
Senpai Chris Green
Senpai Chris started his Kyokushin journey at the age of 10 with Shihan George Kolovos in Essendon. Throughout his younger years, he competed in 4-5 tournaments a year and attend training camps, beach training and various other events, public displays, festivals, etc. At the age of 16 Senpai Chris achieved his brown belt black tag and started competing in under 18 full contact tournaments, then after 2 years began competing in the adults open division.
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Senpai Chris had 2-3 years off training once he started full-time work, before returning to occasional training with Sensei Rick Belic for a number of years. Some years later, he found himself back to regular training, this time under Hanshi Eddie Emin at Moorabbin dojo. Then in 2012 at the age of 36, achieved his long-held desire of reaching Shodan (first degree black belt), and began his journey as an instructor. After overcoming a significant operation, he determinedly recovered his strength and fitness before successfully grading to Nidan in 2019.
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Senpai Chris found that karate gave him a huge confidence boost in his teenage years, which has remained with him into his adult life. During these formative years, he also developed some great friendships that have lasted to this day. He loves the fitness, discipline, respect and endless learning offered by training in Kyokushin as well as the friendships formed, and the determination that it instills which extends to everyday life. Senpai Chris particularly enjoys watching students progress as they develop skills, fitness and confidence.
Senpai Andy Hume-Laver
Senpai Andy started training in 2010 and quickly developed a passion for training and competing in full-contact tournaments. He has won 2 Australian and 5 Victorian Championships across 3 different weight divisions.
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Senpai Andy has trained with instructors from Japan and all over Australia, broadening his knowledge and influencing his own teaching style. He is passionate about teaching his students the traditional fundamentals of Kyokushin through practice of kata and basic techniques to ensure the building blocks of a strong martial artist are in place.
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Senpai Andy likes to add modern practices and variety into his fitness and sparring instruction. He believes that it is important to recognise, particularly with the rise of MMA, that students expect training to include elements outside the scope of a traditional martial art.
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Senpai Andy's instruction extends beyond developing his student's skills in Karate. He aims to instill good training practices and habits that his students can put into practice in their everyday lives to maintain long term fitness and health.
Senpai David Tognirini
Dr. David Tognirini (PhD) began his Kyokushin Karate journey at 15, driven by a need to boost his fitness and confidence in a school environment where bullying was tolerated as a toughening-up ritual. Battling poorly controlled asthma at the time, he faced additional challenges. Over the next 34 years, his training saw periods of advancement interspersed with breaks. From age 45, he trained consistently and earned his black belt at 49.
Now 54, David passionately advocates for karate's multifaceted benefits, emphasizing not only physical aspects like fitness, coordination, and technique but also mental boosts in concentration, self-belief, and confidence. As a medical scientist and healthcare company director, he recognizes karate's significant positive impacts on younger students—including self-defence and mental health—and on older students, enhancing muscle integrity, bone strength, balance, and cardiovascular health.
David teaches beginner and intermediate classes and remains an active participant in training. He is particularly interested in expanding offerings to include self-defence and establishing a dedicated training group for older individuals.
