I started training karate 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.
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:
- 6th 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, 2nd 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