PNG Kyokushin Karate Legend: Sensei Wally Schnaubelt

Sensei Walter “Wally” Schnaubelt is from New Ireland Province and holds a 3^rd Dan (3^rd degree black belt) in Kyokushin Karate. He is the founder of Papua New Guinea Mas. Oyama Kyokushin Karate Association (PNGMOKKA) which is member of the International Karate Organisation Kyokushinkaikan (IKO 1) and has trained champions like Sempai Bernard Soari and Paul Pautani; two of the country’s first shodan (1^st degree black belts).

In 2000 he led Soari (lightweight) and Pautani (middleweight) in the Australian Open to claim top honours in their respective weight categories.

Sensei Wally has retired from competing and is focused on running his businesses; SOS Security and The Kangaroo Motel at Magila Street, 6 Mile.

His tournament success includes:

• 1992
  • 1^st – Singapore International Titles & Australian National Titles
• 1993
  • 1^st – Canadian Open & Welsh Open,
  • 3^rd – British Open
  • 2^nd – Brazilian Open
  • 2^nd – Russian Open.
• 1994
  • 1^st – NSW Open
  • 3^rd – Brazilian Mini World Tournament
  • 1^st – Australian National Titles
• 1995
  • 1^st – Australian National Titles, World Championships (first 16 out of 25 competitors)
• 1996
  • 1^st – Australian National and one match against Russian Champion,
  • 6^th – (out of 250 fighters) at the All Japan Championships
• 1997
  • 7^th – World Weight Category
  • 1^st – Australian National titles
  • 1^st – PNG Open Kyokushin National Tournament
• 1998
  • 3^rd – World Paris Team Championships
  • 1^st – Australian National Titles
  • 1^st – PNG Open Kyokushin National Tournament
• 1999
  • 1^st – PNG Open Kyokushin Karate National Tournament.
• 2000
  • 1^st – Australian Open (Super heavyweight division)