Sensei Glen Smith – Roku-dan

Jokyoshi (Certified Master Instructor by JKF), Owner and Renbukai Canada Director

I have been training and teaching Renbukai karate for almost 50 years. It is my passion. I hold the rank of Roku-dan – 6th degree black belt as well as a licensed Jo-Kyoshi (Master Instructor) with the All-Japan Karate-do Federation Renbukai. I have competed extensively provincially, nationally and internationally.  Some highlights include the World Police Fire Games (bronze kumite), the Police/Fire Can/Am Games (gold kata & kumite), the All-Japan Tokyo Full Contact tournament, which to date, I am the only foreign male to have won gold. I coached for Karate Alberta, I continue to coach students at the provincial level, as well as the Renbukai Team Canada internationally in Japan. I am also the instructor/coach for the only foreign female to date to have won gold at the All-Japan Full Contact Renbukai tournament. I am First Aid & CPR certified and hold a current police information check with vulnerable sectors. I am a retired Calgary Police Service Officer. For additional accomplishments and credentials please see below.

I started training karate in 1978 because I was a very small boy for my age, this partially led me to be very shy and introverted.  We were not very well off and we found that the Institute of Karate offered reasonable rates.  I came to appreciate the quality of instruction and leadership at the dojo as time went by.  My father passed away shortly after I joined karate, I found myself consumed by training. Forging my body and mind, for me karate-do is truly a way of life not just a thing to do or hobby. The dojo was safe from the problems of the outside world.  The instructors became strong adult figures that I respected (aside from my amazing Mother) in particular Sensei Frank Koch, he was the most powerful karate person I have ever met, his skill is beyond anyone I have ever known. Sensei Koch’s teaching methods were fierce but perfect for the time and me. My mother constantly worried when I came home from the dojo with many injuries. We were truly forged in the martial way and I loved every minute of it. These teaching methods would not fly so much in this modern world and of course I/we do not teach this way.