2010s – Canada Shotokan Karate

2019

In February at the annual Black Belt Convention, the following Canada Shotokan members are recognized:

2018 Canada West Member of the Year: Brian Konst from Creekside dojo
2018 Canada East Member of the Year: Jean Marie Tremblay from La Prairie dojo
2018 Canada West Dojo of the Year: North Delta dojo
2018 Canada East Dojo of the Year: Joliette/St. Beatrix dojo

In October, Shotokan Ohshima Dojo Japan (SODJ) celebrates its 10th anniversary. Canada Shotokan members travel to Japan to take part in this celebration. Memorable events include: practice in Shiseikan Dojo at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, evening reception at Rihga Royal Hotel in Tokyo, practice in Hakone Jinja Shrine, lunch at Ashinoko Lake, Hakone tour, dinner and hotspring at Hakone Ashinoko Prince Hotel and a final breakfast in Hakone. At the event, Bernie Doyle from Canada West demonstrates Jion at the Meiji Jingu Shrine and Gurmail Gill from North Delta dojo demonstrates Jutte at the Hakone Jinja Shrine.

2018

In February, the annual Black Belt Convention is held at the St. Francis Xavier Japanese Catholic Center (Maryknoll). The Convention recognized the following Canada Shotokan members:

2017 Canada East Member of the Year: Marie France Plante from Joliette dojo
2017 Canada West Member of the Year: Liny Chan from Burnaby dojo
2017 Canada East Dojo of the Year: La Prairie dojo
2017 Canada West Dojo of the Year: University of British Columbia dojo

In August, Canada Shotokan members travel to Santa Barbara California to help Sensei celebrate his 88^th birthday. A person’s 88^th birthday carries special significance in Japanese culture. An 88^th birthday represents longevity and health. The weekend of events include a Godan examination. Ching Wee from North Delta dojo and Liny Chan from Burnaby dojo are promoted to godan.

Ohshima Sensei retires and appoints Norman Welch as Shihan of Canada Shotokan Karate.

At the 62^nd Annual Nisei Week Karate Demonstration and Tournament, Ching Wee from North Delta dojo demonstrates Bassai.

2017

In February, at the annual Black Belt Convention held at the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo, the following Canada Shotokan members are recognized:

2016 Canada East Member of the Year: Karen Borrmann from Lakeshore dojo
2016 Canada West Member of the Year: Alan Kazuta from North Delta dojo
2016 Canada West Dojo of the Year: North Delta dojo

In February, the 30^th Annual Goodwill Cup Tournament is held in Vancouver, BC. The University of BC team consisting of Julian Pratama, Khine Htwe, Lena Kuang, Emily Doan and Matteo Priolet win the Goodwill Cup against the University of Washington team.

In May, Canada Shotokan Karate celebrates its 45th Anniversary in La Prairie, Quebec. The celebration is in collaboration with the City of La Prairie’s 350th anniversary. The event includes practices led by John Teramoto (SKA) and Norman Welch (CSK). There are also team and individual tournaments and a Yodan exam.

In July, members from Canada Shotokan travel to Switzerland to join with other members around the world to attend Suisse Shotokan’s 40^th Anniversary. The theme of the celebration is DEAI – Encounter, chosen to symbolize the friendship within and beyond the Shotokan Ohshima karate family. The event takes place in Winterthur, near Zurich.

In August at the 61^st Annual Nisei Week Tournament and Demonstration, Bernie Doyle from Canada West demonstrates Jion.

2016

In February at the Black Belt Convention held at the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo, the following Canada Shotokan members are recognized:

2015 Canada East Member of the Year: Michel Venne from Little Burgundy dojo
2015 Canada West Member of the Year: Emily Doan from Burnaby dojo
2015 Canada East Dojo of the Year: Little Burgundy dojo

In April, the 29^th Annual Goodwill Cup Tournament is held at the University of Washington. The University of BC team consisting of Oliver Dong, Julia Poissant, Lena Kuang, Emily Doan and Mark Angly win the team competition against the University of Washington to bring the cup back to Canada.

In August, Canada Shotokan members join members from around the world in the mountains of Santa Barbara to celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of Shotokan Karate of America. Because of the celebration, the annual Nisei Week Tournament and Demonstration this year is a very international affair. In the individual competition, Charles Forsberg, originally from Canada West but who now resides in Berlin, places 3^rd. In the women’s tournament, Karen Borrmann from Lakeshore dojo places 1^st. As part of the 60th Anniversary celebration, there is a Godan test. Michel Venne from Little Burgundy dojo is promoted to godan.

2015

In February at the annual Black Belt Convention held at the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo, the following Canada Shotokan members are recognized:

2014 Canada East Member of the Year: Akakpo Agbago from Upper Canada dojo
2014 Canada West Member of the Year: Wes Chan from Burnaby dojo

In February the 28^th annual Pacific Northwest Goodwill Cup is held in Burnaby, BC. The team tournament is won by the University of BC team consisting of Emily Doan, Oliver Dong, Khine Htwe, Kan Nagahata and Pasindu Muthakuda.

In April Mr. Ono visits Vancouver to lead some practices.

At the 59^th Annual Nisei Week Karate Exhibition and Tournament in August, Bernie Doyle from Canada West demonstrates Jion. Ryan Hill from the University of BC dojo demonstrates Jutte. Eric Crosby from Burnaby dojo demonstrates nagewaza and irimi with John Gosink from University of Washington dojo assisting. In the women’s division of the tournament, Karen Borrmann from Little Burgundy dojo places 1^st. In the brown belt division, Khine Htwe from the University of BC dojo places 3^rd. In the team competition, the Canada East team consisting of Stefan Pelechaty (Joliette dojo), Karen Borrmann (Little Burgundy dojo) and Hashmat Khan (Ottawa dojo) places 4^th.

2014

In February, at the annual Black Belt Convention held at the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo in Santa Barbara, California, the following Canada Shotokan members are recognized:

2013 Canada East Member of the Year: Michel Venne from Little Burgundy dojo
2013 Canada West Member of the Year: Daniel Su from North Delta dojo
2013 Canada East Dojo of the Year: Little Burgundy dojo

In July, Canada Shotokan members attend France Shotokan’s 50^th Anniversary in Saint-Lo, Normandy. Saint-Lo is 300 km away from Paris. The celebration includes training with Ohshima Sensei, a tournament and a Godan test. Russell Girard from Sept-Iles dojo, Bernie Doyle from Canada West and Ryan Hill from University of BC dojo are promoted to godan.

2013

In February at the annual Black Belt Convention held at the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo in Santa Barbara, the following Canada Shotokan members are recognized:

2012 Canada West Member of the Year: shared by Alan Kazuta and Ching Wee from North Delta dojo, Ryan Hill from University of BC dojo, Joel Nitikman from Creekside dojo and Liny Chan from Burnaby dojo
2012 Canada East Member of the Year: shared by Caroline Dompierre from La Prairie dojo and Karen Borrmann from Little Burgundy dojo
2012 Canada West Dojo of the Year: North Delta dojo

Mr. Ono visits from Japan and leads classes in Vancouver. Mr. and Mrs. Ono are then taken on a wine country tour in British Columbia.

In August at the 57th Nisei Week Exhibition and Tournament, Gurmail Gill from North Delta dojo demonstrates Jutte.

2012

In February at the annual Black Belt Convention held at the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo, the following Canada Shotokan members are recognized:

2011 Canada West Member of the Year: Al Goessman from Kamloops dojo
2011 Canada East Member of the Year: Monique Letourneau from La Prairie dojo

In August, Canada Shotokan Karate celebrates its 40^th Anniversary celebration in Vancouver. Over 250 participants from around the world join in the celebration. The calligraphy prepared by Ohshima Sensei for the event is “Heisei”, meaning Serenity. The event starts with an evening boat cruise around Vancouver Harbour. The next morning, Ohshima Sensei leads a practice and then invites everyone to ask questions, particularly about kata. After lunch, the team tournament begins, with country demonstrations between the matches. The team tournament is followed by an individual tournament. In the women’s division, Karen Borrmann from Little Burgundy dojo places 1st. The following morning, there is a Godan examination. Gurmail Gill from North Delta dojo is promoted to godan. Following the examination is another practice with Ohshima Sensei. The event closes with an evening banquet and lively Taiko drumming.

2011

In February at the annual Black Belt Convention held at the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo, the following Canada Shotokan members are recognized:

2010 Canada East Member of the Year: Daniel Trudeau from La Prairie dojo
2010 Canada West Member of the Year: Liny Chan from Burnaby dojo
2010 Canada West Dojo of the Year: Burnaby Dojo

In May, about 40 karateka gathered at the University of British Columbia (UBC) dojo to celebrate its 40th Anniversary of practicing under the guidance of Ohshima Sensei. Godan Norman Welch leads practice. The UBC dojo started practicing with Ohshima Sensei in 1971. The following year, 1972, Canada Shotokan Karate is organized officially.

In October, members from Canada Shotokan Karate travel to Japan to join in celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Waseda University Karate Club. The event includes 3 practices: practice and lecture by Ohshima Sensei at the Budokan Center, practice with members of Shotokan Ohshima Dojo (SODJ) and the Waseda 80th anniversary practice.

2010

In February at the annual Black Belt Convention, the following Canada Shotokan members are recognized:

2009 Canada West Member of the Year: Ryan Hill from University of BC dojo
2009 Canada East Member of the Year: Richard Selhi from La Prairie dojo
2009 Canada East Dojo of the Year: Little Burgundy dojo

In August, several Canada Shotokan members travel to the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo to celebrate many things: the 10^th anniversary of the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo, dedication of the new well and Mr. Ohshima’s 80^th birthday.

In mid-August, Canada Shotokan members attend Israel’s 40^th Anniversary celebration in Jerusalem. The theme of the celebration is “Happiness”. The opening event is held at Israel Museum’s exhibition of the Aleppo Codex, the oldest existing manuscript of the Hebrew Bible. The next day, Ohshima Sensei leads over 200 karateka in a practice in Givat Ram’s Olympic Stadium in Jerusalem. This is followed by a team tournament. The next day there is a Godan examination and an afternoon practice in Caesarea, an ancient town from the time of the Roman Empire. Daniel Trudeau from La Prairie dojo is promoted to godan.