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Co-founder, Sunshine Coast Karate & Karate4Life

Sandra Phillips Sensei

Studying Chito-Ryu Karate-do since 1990 · 5th Dan · Renshi (Master Instructor) · Kobujutsu 4th Dan

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Sandra Phillips Sensei, kneeling, in her gi and black belt

About Sandra

Sandra Sensei has been studying Chito-Ryu Karate-do since 1990.

Sandra’s greatest passion is serving others. In her words: “There is no greater satisfaction than to help another person reach greater heights in their lives.” She believes karate is the perfect vehicle for self-discovery, and has the potential to help people create and live their best lives.

Competition highlights

  • Sandra started competing in 1993. Across her international career (1995–2017), she ranked in the top three in her division every time she competed at the Soke Cup, winning gold in 2004 and 2017. The Soke Cup, the International Chito-Ryu Karate-do Championships, is the highest level of competition in the style, held every 3 years.
  • Numerous regional, state and national championships, 1993–2004.
  • Podium finishes (kata and kumite) at the Soke Cup in 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2013 and 2017. In her final individual kumite event, in Kumamoto, Japan, in 2017, she won every match 3–0, except one she won 2–0.
Martin, Sandra, Sami and Steven Phillips in their gi
The Phillips family: Martin, Sandra, Sami and Steven
The 2023 Sunshine Coast Karate team in Australian green, with Martin, holding the Australian flag
Sunshine Coast Karate athletes in the 2023 Australian team

Coaching highlights

Sunshine Coast Karate’s first team went to the Soke Cup in 2004, and we’ve sent a team every time since, with personal bests, podium finishes and world champions.

At the 2026 Soke Cup, Sunshine Coast Karate athletes won 32 medals: 7 gold, 5 silver and 20 bronze, including team events for Australia. In 2023 they won 9 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze.

See the 2026 results (opens in a new tab)

Family and Karate4Life

Since 2000, Sandra and Martin have worked with thousands of people of all ages, in the dojo and beyond it, helping students carry valuable life skills into their everyday lives. They’ve also shared Chito-Ryu with their own children: Sami, now 3rd Dan and an instructor at the dojo, and Steven, Shodan.

Karate4Life – it’s our way of life. Sandra and Martin co-founded Karate4Life.com to share how the skills learned in the dojo apply to everyday life, through short courses, programs, podcasts, interviews and blog posts. karate4life.com

Last updated: September 2026

Your free trial

Your first lesson is free.

Join on the day of your trial and we’ll waive the joining fee and give you a free uniform.

  • No experience needed
  • Parents welcome to train alongside their kids
  • We’ll call within 2 business days to confirm
Rather talk? Call 0435 255 323

Enrol now for Term 4

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Classes

Karate Kids (8–12)

Little Champions (4–7)

Teens & Adults (13+)

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Injuries, nerves, questions: anything that helps us look after you.

Rather talk? Call 0435 255 323.

Find us

Our dojo in Maroochydore

Sunshine Coast Karate

2/14 Depot Street (Access via Progress Road)
Maroochydore QLD 4558

0435 255 323

Get directions

Opening hours
Monday 3:15–8 pm
Tuesday 6–7 am, 9:30–10:30 am, 3:15–8 pm
Wednesday 3:15–8 pm
Thursday 6–7 am, 9:30–10:30 am, 3:15–8 pm
Friday 4–8 pm
Saturday 8:30–11:30 am
Sunday Closed
Map showing Sunshine Coast Karate on Depot Street, Maroochydore, off Progress Road near Energex

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Getting here: the entrance and car park are off Progress Road, across the road from Energex.