KENPO KARATE BRISBANE
Meet Our Instructors
Michael Thomas
Lead Instructor
Jo Stenzel
DIRECTOR and Senior Instructor
Assistant Instructor
Cooper Davies
Michael Thomas is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate.
Michael has more than 30 years of experience in martial arts, with training across American Kenpo Karate, ITF Taekwondo, Traditional Karate and Wing Chun. He holds 1st Dan Black Belts in both Taekwondo and Karate.
Michael has a strong interest in the practical application of Kenpo principles for real-world self-defence, including awareness, movement, control, adaptability and pressure-testing techniques in realistic but safe training environments.
Michael is committed to helping students build confidence, discipline, respect and practical self-defence skills.
Jo is the Senior Instructor at Brisbane Kenpo Karate and a 5th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate under Mr Graham Lelliot, 10th Degree Black Belt.
Jo is an experienced martial arts instructor with qualifications in American Kenpo Karate, women’s self-defence and Kyusho Jitsu, together with additional study in fitness, coaching, boxing-based fitness, children’s fitness and training for older adults.
Jo’s teaching focuses on practical self-defence, self-awareness, confidence, discipline and respect. She works with students of all ages and experience levels, helping them develop skills in a safe, supportive and structured training environment.
Jo holds current first aid and CPR qualifications and a valid Blue Card.
Cooper is a 1st Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate.
Cooper is currently training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has a strong interest in bringing grappling awareness, positional control and ground-game concepts into his Kenpo training.
His focus includes sparring, practical self-defence and pressure-testing techniques in realistic but safe training environments. Cooper aims to help students understand how Kenpo principles can be applied across different ranges, from stand-up defence through to close-range and ground-based situations.
Cooper brings an enthusiastic, practical and student-focused approach to teaching, helping students build confidence, respect and effective self-defence skills.