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The following information
was obtained from the IKO(1) 1997 Australian Full Contact Nationals programme,
with some minor editing.
It was 20 years ago, in the presence of the late Sosai Oyama that Shihan
Nick Cujic became the first Australian Full Contact Grand Champion (or yokozuna)
Shihan Cujic began training in 1967 in his native Yugoslavia,
and after immigrating to Australia in 1969, joined Kyokushinkai. His involvement
in Kyokushin has continued ever since, in the capacity of competitor,
official, coach, instructor (dojo operator), and Branch Chief.
This makes him one of the most senior members, still active in Australian
Kyokushin.
His early years were spent in training and competing and he was fortunate
enough to have represented N.S.W. and Australia in both point system and
full contact tournaments. He was selected to compete in three Kyokushin
World Tournaments (1975, 1979 & 1984), but due to injuries and study
commitments only fought in the Third World Tournament in 1984.
Since 1976, Shihan Cujic has been teaching in the Southern districts
of Sydney, centred on Caringbah, and
producing a number of State and National champions. It is his hope that
one of his students will become National Champion on this 20th Anniversary.
For a long time, he refused to get involved in politics, and was devastated
by the split in Kyokushin in Australia in the late 80's. Sosai
Oyama's death and further splits in Japan and Australia were another severe
blow, nearly causing him to give up. However, after consultation with
family and friends, listening to all the arguments and weighing all the
options, he decided to stay with Kancho Matsui's group after the
death of Mas Oyama in 1994. In July 2001, Shihan Cujic was promoted
to sixth dan by Kancho Matsui. In 2002 Shihan Cujic and
Sensei Joy started teaching Kyokushin full time.
To date he has no regrets. He feels Kancho Matsui is a capable
leader as well as a good role model for young karateka.
When asked what Kyokushin means to him, Shihan Cujic replied,
"It is my life. Through Kyokushin, I have travelled the world and
made many friends. Through Kyokushin, I met my wife (Joy Cujic currently
holds the grade of Sandan - Shah, 1997) and the whole family
trains in Kyokushin (His two sons are also blackbelts - Shah).
The training keeps me fit and healthy. If I had to live my life over
again,
I would
still
train
in
Kyokushin. I am looking
forward
to the next 20 years. Osu!"
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