A Different View

Sifu John truly belongs to the Panthers of this world. Sifu John started training with Shaolin Kung Fu Australia very late 1998 after moving across from Tae Kwan Do where he was a Red Belt. Together with his then partner Sharon S, they trained anywhere up to 7 days a week. Sifu John has always h ad a fascination with the Martial Arts and a strong interest in health and fitness as well. Sifu John completed a Bachelor Degree at Monash University during which time he studied and majored in the health sciences Physiology, Anatomy, Psychology, Biology etc) and is curious to explore some of the alternative therapies as well.

Sifu John has also achieved many martial art & Kung Fu career highlights over his years of training with Shaolin Kung Fu Australia;

• Promotion to White & Yellow Sash June 1999
• Promotion to Orange & Green Sash- June 1999
• Persistency and Consistency Silver - June 1999
• Promotion to Red & Purple Sash - Dec 1999
• Promotion to Blue & Navy - Dec 1999
• Persistency & Consistency Gold - Dec 1999
• Persistency & Consistency Bronze - June 2000
• Promotion to Brown Sash with Credit - Dec 2000
• Persistency & Consistency Bronze - Dec 2000
• 1st Class Own unsupervised Class - Feb 2001
• Unaided class teaching while Instructors and Masters were training at Shaolin China - May 2001
• Special thank you Shaolin Chinese Broadsword awarded for excellent teaching while Masters in China
• Promoted to full Black Sash - June 2001
• Level 1 Teaching Certificate - June 2001
• Best stances in a grading Bronze - June 2001
• Leading the first intermediate level class and regular teaching - August 2001
• Persistency & Consistency Gold - June 2001
• Accredited as a Level 1 Instructor - Dec 2001
• First Inclusion into the White Sash Work Book - 25 Oct 2001
• 300th class - December 2001
• 500th class - June 2002
• Promoted to Level 1 Examiner - Sept 02
• Promoted to Level 2 Instructor - Dec 03
• 1000th Class - 15 Apr 04
• Promoted to Uchi-Deshi Int Go Ju Karate Do CMAA - Sept - 2004
• Promoted to Level 2 Examiner - Dec 04
• Promoted to Level 3 Instructor - Dec 04
• Awarded full Black Belt by Tino Ceberano of International Goju

• Highest Class Attendance Holder since - 15 June 05 (previously held by Sifu 3rd Degree Chris Serong since Oct 1999 - 1259 classes)
• Awarded his Third Degree in Shaolin 170 Move grappling

• Approaching his 2000 class in early 2008

Sifu John is currently working on developing his own aspect of the Panther, the Puma. He has already discovered a number of aspects of the Puma which differ from the Panther and thus allow for a different strategy and style within the Panther system.

As is the custom with Shaolin Kung Fu; upon reaching Black Sash the student is to experience another Martial Art. Sifu John chose the honorable Okinawan Goju, founded in Australia by Tino Ceberano and currently headed and managed by his son, Paul Ceberano. This is very satisfying for Sijo as Goju was Sijo's first karate Black Sash in 1976. At the time of updating this WEB page (1 June 05) Sifu John has successfully graded and been promoted to 3rd Kyu in Goju.

Sifu John is mentally very active and has a number of project that he is working on in addition to teaching 4 times a week Shaolin Kung Fu and once day a week Karate for Goju.

He is a very keen fan of Wrestling, both the WWC show wrestling as well as Pancreation, Greco-Roman and Brazilian Jujitsu. Using his knowledge of the 5 Animals with some guidance from Sijo, he is developing the 170 Move Grappling System. As of 15 of December 2006 he has 10 students, 3 of which have been graded successfully!

If you have any questions or would just like to write to John just click on the following line Sifu John Psiharis or if you wish to write to Sijo Robert Z click on the underlined.

Sifu 3rd Degree John

Sifu John receiving his 1000 Class Plaque and 1000 Silver Coins!

Sifu Johns achievements to end 2006

Disifu Demonstrating one of the 170 Moves Techniques

Disifu Managing the opening of the Camberwell Dragon & Crane Kwoon.