Tino Ceberano Hanshi was born in Hawaii. His parents had emigrated to Hawaii from the Phillipines. Hanshi began training in the martial arts at a young age before settling on Japanese (Yamaguchi-ha) Gojukai Goju-ryu karate.
In 1966 after he was officially discharged from the US Marine Corps Hanshi received his Sandan, 3rd dan, from Yamaguchi Gogen and at Yamaguchi Gogen’s direction moved to Australia with his family. He immediately set about introducing the relatively unknown world of Karate to the Australian public.
From small beginnings the school of Goju Karate has become one of the most widely practiced of the styles of karate in Australia. This is due in no small part to the skill and dedication of Hanshi Tino Ceberano.
Hanshi has travelled back and forth to Japan on many occasions for his own and for his students senior gradings, as well as taking teams across and hosting international teams here in Australia, all to maintain a standard at least equal to any Karate anywhere in the world.
He endeavors to maintain this standard now through his control of quality over his instructors and by maintaining a vigil over visits to dojos Australia wide, but perhaps mostly by his own rigorous training routine which maintains his position in charge of the I.G.K.
With his involvement on the International Karate scene over many years as Chief Referee of W.U.K.O. (World Union of Karatedo Organisations) as well as holding the title of Vice President of the same Organisation (the most prestigious in the Karate World) the reputation of his students is recognised not only Australia wide but also world wide. He is without question the most well known Karate-Ka in Australia.
Tino Ceberano Hanshi, Kudan, 9th Dan, is the Chief Instructor and head of the I.G.K. He is often referred to as the father of karate in Australia. His years of experience in the martial arts have provided him with skills and knowledge that has written him into the martial arts history books. His expertise as a teacher will make any opportunity you have to spend time with him an enjoyable, motivating and stimulating learning experience.