The International Martial Arts Centre (IMC) has a history stretching back more than four decades. What began as a single martial arts school in Western Sydney has developed into a large martial arts community, producing champions, instructors and competitors who have represented Australia around the world.
Founded in 1979 by Hanshi Paul Zadro, the first IMC school opened in Kemps Creek, Sydney. From those beginnings, IMC expanded across multiple locations and established itself within the Australian martial arts community. According to IMC’s history wall, the organisation has been ranked the #1 Martial Arts School in Australia by ISKA for 18 of the past 26 years, while IMC Australia also achieved first place at the 2014, 2017 and 2023 ISKA World Cups.
Today, IMC has trained more than 50,000 students, with students achieving success at major international events and organisations including the UFC, Bellator, K-1, Lumpinee Stadium, ISKA US Open and ISKA European Championships. The organisation also includes more than 20 full-time and 50 part-time martial arts instructors.
Hanshi Paul Zadro – The Founder of IMC
At the centre of the IMC story is Hanshi Paul Zadro.
Born in Innisfail, North Queensland, in 1963, Hanshi Paul began martial arts at just eight years old, initially training in Judo and Shotokan Karate. After moving to Sydney, he studied Tae Kwon Do and achieved his Black Belt at only 14 years of age.
He later began studying Koshu Kempo before founding the International Kempo Karate Academy in 1979, which would eventually develop into the International Martial Arts Centre known today.
Hanshi Paul’s influence extends far beyond running martial arts schools. His achievements include induction into the Eurasian Kickboxing Association Hall of Fame in 1998, International Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1999 and Karate Union Hall of Fame in 2000. He has trained internationally and spent decades promoting martial arts and competition.
He also served as president of the International Sport Kickboxing/Karate Association (ISKA) and headed the Martial Arts World Cup committee. The IMC history wall records that he has personally run more than 134 tournaments, including eight World Cups.
His legacy can now be seen in generations of students who have gone on to become instructors, champions and professional fighters.
Peter “The Chief” Graham
One of the most recognisable names associated with IMC is Peter “The Chief” Graham.
Peter established himself internationally through Kickboxing, K-1, Boxing and MMA, competing against some of the world’s leading heavyweight fighters. His famous “Rolling Thunder” kick became one of the techniques most closely associated with his fighting career.
Today, Peter’s contribution to martial arts continues through teaching. He is the owner of IMC Prospect, where he coaches and mentors students, bringing the experience of an international combat-sports career directly into the martial arts school.
For IMC students, his story demonstrates that martial arts isn’t simply about what someone achieves inside the ring—it is also about passing that knowledge on to the next generation.
Anthony “The Hippo” Perosh
Another major figure in IMC’s history is former UFC fighter Anthony “The Hippo” Perosh.
Before competing on one of MMA’s biggest stages, Anthony began his martial arts journey under Hanshi Paul Zadro. He trained in Karate and Kickboxing, eventually earning his Thai Kickboxing Black Shirt at IMC.
His striking background provided the foundation for what would become an international MMA career. After discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Anthony travelled to the United States and ultimately earned his 4th-degree BJJ Black Belt under Carlos Machado.
Despite his international career and success in the UFC, Anthony has maintained a connection with IMC. According to the history wall, he continues to attend IMC BJJ gradings, supporting students and maintaining the connection with where his martial arts journey began.
A New Generation of IMC Champions
The IMC story isn’t limited to the previous generation. The history wall also highlights instructors who have spent years training, teaching and competing within the organisation.
Head Instructor Shihan Robbie Castellano is listed as an ISKA World Champion, multi-time Australian National Champion and 2017 ISKA Instructor of the Year, with a martial arts career spanning more than 35 years.
Together, these instructors represent the continuation of the competitive tradition that has been part of IMC for decades.
From One School to a Martial Arts Community
Perhaps the most impressive part of IMC’s history is how much the organisation has grown since that first school opened in Kemps Creek in 1979.
The history wall lists schools including Kemps Creek, Liverpool,Prestons, Prospect, Wetherill Park, Engadine, Tweed Heads, Tempe (Fight Lab) and Revesby.
The photographs displayed across the history wall also tell an important part of this story. They show everything from the original Kemps Creek school and Hanshi Paul teaching to modern Little Ninjas, Kids Karate, Kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu classes across different IMC locations. In many ways, the wall shows the evolution of IMC—from a traditional martial arts school into a community teaching children and adults across multiple disciplines.
More Than 45 Years of IMC
From Hanshi Paul Zadro establishing the organisation in 1979, to fighters such as Peter “The Chief” Graham and Anthony “The Hippo” Perosh, Robbie Castellano and the new generation of IMC world champions and instructors, IMC’s history has been built by thousands of people who have stepped onto the mats.
Some have trained simply to become fitter or more confident. Others have become Black Belts, instructors, national champions, world champions and professional fighters.
But they all share something in common:
They became part of the history of IMC.
And with new students walking through the doors every week, that history is still being written.