Karate has and continues to give me life, direction, discipline, perseverance and focus.  No one will be turned away from this dojo, karate is that important to me.  Tournaments and personal achievements are nice, we talk about them because they are a small measure of the quality of training. The true success of an instructor is how the training affects the student, how they turn out, and what it does for their life.

A brief history of training & life experience

I started training Karate in 1978 and I have been teaching Karate for over 40 years.

Instructors in Canada:

• Heinz Rottman
• Manfred Rottman
• Nick Drazenovich
• Frank Koch

Instructors in Japan:

• Onadera Sensei
• Kurokawa Sensei
• Koide Sensei
• Kikumura Sensei
• Konahara Sensei

Accomplishments:

• 6^th degree Blackbelt (the highest-ranking instructor outside of Japan)
• Over 40 years of experience teaching karate/self defense to children, youth, and adults of all ages
• Only foreign instructor to be awarded Licensed Jo-kyoshi (Master Instructor) in 2007. Official license to teach Renbukai Karate awarded by Minoru Okamoto (Renbukai Co-founder) and Noboyuki Suga (Director of Renbukai) with the All Japan Karate-do Federation Renbukai.
• Awarded certificate of merit from Japan Karate-do federation Renbukai for years of continuous service in teaching, training, participating in Renbukai tournaments both as player and coach-2007
• Western Canadian Champion for non-contact, full, and kata in the 80’s
• All Japan Tokyo Renbukai Full Contact Champion – Gold Kumite 1998 (to date only foreign male to accomplish this)
• Ebina Japan City Non- Contact Championships – Bronze Kumite 2002
• All Japan Full Contact Tournament (Team Kumite) Bronze X 3 – 1997, 1999, 2004
• All Japan Full Contact Tournament (Kata) 4th x 2, 8th x 1
• Instructor/Coach for Tracy MacKeracher, to date only foreign female Champion of the All Japan Full Contact Tournament. Gold X 1, 2^nd X 2, 3rd X 1.
• Instructor/Coach of youth female Karate Alberta Champion WKF
• Team Canada Coach All Japan Full Contact Renbukai tournament – ongoing
• Kurokawa Cup (Japan) – 2x best referee award 2008, 2009
• World Police Fire Games – Bronze Kumite 1997
• Police Fire Can/Am Games Champion – Gold Kumite & Gold Kata 2008
• Karate Alberta Coach: 2019-2021
• Partnered with Trico Centre for Family Wellness to teach semester karate classes to children ages 4-12 – 2014-219
• Experience teaching children, youth, and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities
• Developed and taught school residency programs – 2017-2021
• Partnered with Trico Centre for Family Wellness to teach semester classes to children ages 4-12 – 2014-2019
• Developed and taught self-defense program to: Calgary Police Service Youth Programs, Non-profit agencies (staff & youth), Guides & Scouts.
• First Aid and CPR certified
• Current Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sectors
• High Five trained
• Retired Police Officer
• Calgary Police Service Subject Control Tactics Instructor

I never found out what the name of the Karate school was, but I spent the next two years researching the topic on my own. I asked my parents to let me take lessons at a Karate club, but they said that I was to young. Besides, at that time I would have had to take the bus to the Dojo, which was not an option for a twelve-year-old in my house. Two years later after constant nagging, my parents agreed to take me to a Karate School. I remember sitting in the Dojo with the late morning sun shining through the window in the back. Here I saw an instructor demonstrating techniques much like those in the demo two years earlier, but there was so much more power and refinement in the motions. I looked on, awe struck, and knew that this was where I had to be.

During those years, I took the classes, trained hard and began to get a basic grasp of this vast and beautiful art. I entered tournaments as my Sensei told me to. Sometimes I won, and sometimes I lost but always as a true traditional Karate-ka using proper technique. On occasion, I even won the titles of Western Canadian Sparring Champion or Kata Champion. It felt good to win, but I always tried to remember that true Karate is not about ego. As my Sensei kept saying, Renbukai is about spirit and perfection of technique.

I took advantage of every opportunity to teach as well. As is the custom in a traditional Japanese art, teaching is part of the students learning process. I taught at our first Dojo, The Calgary Board of Education, and The Renbukai Karate School, to name a few. To teach is to learn.

A major element in learning the art of Renbukai karate is experiencing it in the country of its birth. I have traveled to Japan many times over the years. I have had the privilege to train under many great Karate Sensei including Kikumura Sensei, Kurokawa Sensei, Onadera Sensei and Konahara Sensei. I have also had the honour to enter the All Japan Renbukai Tournament many times. Competing in Kumite (sparring), Team Kumite, and Kata. I have also competed in the Tokyo Bogu tournament. I have been fortunate on occasion to win an award there as well.

It is a life long goal to teach Karate to all those who love it as I do. I also wish to show others the true way and spirit of Karate-do.

I have studied many Martial Arts over the years in order to expand my knowledge base and skills, training Aikido, Kendo, Jodo, Iaido and Boxing.    I am also a certified personal fitness trainer for    The Forge Calgary-Martial Arts Personal Fitness Training

I have had the opportunity to compete in tournaments locally, and internationally in Alaska and in Japan. The focused training for tournaments is challenging and rewarding as it pushes you to refine your technique, increase your skill, speed and be stronger mentally and physically.

What I love best about karate is that it is a family affair. My husband, daughter and I all train and teach together. It is a shared activity and one which permeates our lives in so many positive ways. Karate and the dojo has created community for us. We have made great friendships over the years and long lasting connections here in Calgary, across Canada and abroad in Japan. I am thankful to Sensei Glen Smith, Sensei Rob Kirik and Kikumura Sensei for their teachings and guidance over the years.

Brief History of Training and Life Experience

• 2004: Started Training with the Kanto Sho Karate Club
• 2010: Received Sho-dan
• 2012: Received Ni-dan
• 2015: Received San-dan
• Co-developed and co-facilitated self-defense program to Calgary Police Service Youth programs, Non-profit social service agencies (staff & youth), Guides.
• Developed and taught school residency programs – 2017-2021
• Partnered with Boom Wellness Collective (formerly Dubasov Dance & Wellness), to teach classes for children, youth, and adults experiencing cognitive and physical disabilities – 2016-2018
• Partnered with Trico Centre for Family Wellness to teach semester classes to children ages 4-12 – 2014-2019
• 2023: Received Yon-dan
• Teach private lessons – ongoing
• Certified in First Aid and CPR
• Current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sectors

Placed gold, silver and bronze in following tournaments:

• Canadian Shotokan Karate Association
• Calgary Open Martial Arts
• Alaska Renbukai Karate

Competed in:

• 2010 & 2014: All Japan Full Contact Tournament Kumite and Kata

I have been teaching for 20 years and currently teach ages 5 +. I also teach and oversee the women’s karate class at the dojo.

After 13 years with Aspen Family, a non-profit social service agency in Calgary working with vulnerable children, youth and families in the community I decided to re-direct my energy into the dojo. I am also a Volunteer Coordinator at a long term care facility for seniors experiencing dementia and volunteer myself on a Calgary Youth Justice Committee.

My experience with Renbukai Karate has shaped me into the person I am today. The mentorship I have received over the years of training has helped me develop discipline, focus, strength, coordination, and the courage to try new things and face new challenges. This is what I love best about karate – that it develops you as a person. What you learn applies beyond the dojo and gives you strengths that have positive impacts on your everyday life. Karate is for anyone and everyone!

Brief History of Training and Experience

1995: Started training Renbukai Karate (Institute of Karate)

2002: Joined the Kanto Sho Karate Club

2005: Received Shodan

2008: Received Nidan

2018: Received Sandan

Competed and Placed in the following tournaments:

All Japan Full Contact Karate Tournament – 2005 Silver Kumite

All Japan Full Contact Karate Tournament – 2007 Women’s Champion Kumite

All Japan Full Contact Karate Tournament – 2014

All Japan Full Contact Karate Tournament – 2018 Silver Kumite

All Japan Full Contact Karate Tournament – 2022

Alaska State Renbukai Karate Championships – 2004 Gold

Canadian Shotokan Karate Association Annual Shobu Ippon Competition – Gold and Silver

In April of 2013 I earned my Shodan – black belt and my Nidan while training in Japan in August of 2016. I continue to train to stay in shape but also for the great mental workout. Helping teach classes brings its own rewards as I watch students I teach improve and gain confidence. In August of 2016 I had the opportunity to travel to Japan with seven members of the Kanto Sho Karate Club to train with Glen and Tannis’ friend, Sensei Kikumura at his dojo; an experience that I will always remember as one of the highlights of my karate experience.

The Kanto Sho dojo has become an important part of my life as well as my family’s. We have met many great people along the way and with the growth of the club over the last few years, we have made some great friendships!

Accomplishments

2004: Started Training with the Kanto Sho Karate Club

2014: Received Shodan

2017: Received Nidan

Placed gold, silver and bronze in following tournaments:

• Canadian Shotokan Karate Association Invitational
• Shotokan Cup – Karate Alberta
• Calgary Karate Cup – Karate Alberta

Competed in:

• 2014: All Japan Full Contact Tournament

I also assist teach children’s karate classes at Trico Centre for Family Wellness.

The other key motivation for my desire to train was to improve my overall level of fitness and well-being and to reduce the level of stress due to working two jobs for most of my adult life. Though I had worked out regularly, I found that Renbukai training identified weaknesses in my training program. After training for some time, I found that my stamina, coordination, and endurance improved remarkably, as well as reducing the level of everyday stress. I also found that if I had any issues that were pre-occupying my mind at the start of class – they were definitely gone by the end of class. For the past four years, I have helped to instruct the beginner and junior classes.

In August 2016, Sensei Glen asked me join other members of the dojo to train in Japan for 11 days with Sensei Kikumura at his dojo in Atsugi. Not only was this an honor and a privilege but also the experience of a lifetime. The Kanto-Sho team trained hard and shared many memorable experiences, of which I will remember forever. On May 26, 2017, I graded for and received my Shodan black belt after 11 years of training, which, for me is one of my most important lifetime achievements.

Was it even my choice? After way overthinking the situation, as much as a five year old can, I finally asked. To my delight my parents, Sensei Glen and Tannis Smith, said yes and before I knew it, I was being taught the punch and the kick. I was so happy, I couldn’t believe I was training alongside my parents, I was one of the “cool kids”. Karate has provided me with so many incredible experiences that I could never have even dreamt of. Travelling to Japan, competing in Canadian Nationals, trying out for Karate Alberta with my best friend, receiving my black belt. Not only has karate given me many amazing experiences but it has also brought me some great relationships. I have made so many lifelong friends here at the Kanto Sho Karate Club. This dojo is about more than the physical benefits but mental ones too and the community we have here is amazing. When you think of going to class each night, you’re excited not only to train, but to see all your friends and train with them. Everyone thinks karate is this violent sport where all you do is punch people and receive rank but in reality, it’s so much more than that. It’s a sport where you can connect your mind to your body and make real, healthy relationships with people. The Kanto Sho Karate Club is a place where you feel welcomed as part of a community and enjoy yourself. Karate has become such a big part of my life and I can’t wait to continue with my training, for I am only getting started.