2024 Inductees

Louise Chevalier

Louise Chevalier évolue dans le monde des arts martiaux depuis 49 ans.

C’est en novembre 1974 à la suite du spectacle « Le monde fantastique des Arts

Martiaux » présenté au Colisée de Québec qu’est né son intérêt pour le karaté et elle

débute le karaté en janvier 1975 sous la direction de Sensei Marc Asselin alors élève

de Sensei Giancarlo Borelli-Lucchesi, président-fondateur du Yoseikan Karaté Do.

C’est en juin 1987 lors du stage annuel intensif de 5 jours tenu à la base de plein-air

du Lac Sergent à Québec qu’elle devient la première femme du style Yoseikan à passer

son grade de Yondan (4e dan).

En juillet 1987,elle est déclarée triple médaillé d’or aux Jeux du Québec. Durant la même

année, la P.K.L. (Professional Karate Leage) la classe au 3e rang au Canada en combat

et au 4e rang en kata armé.

Elle consacre une grande partie de sa vie à la pratique et à l’enseignement du karaté

toujours au côté de Hanshi Asselin au Dojo Central de la Fédération où elle a formé

avec ce dernier des centaines d’élèves et plusieurs ceintures noires.

C’est en avril 2018, qu’elle se rend à Abidjan en Côte d’Ivoire, accompagnée de son

élève Shihan Dorion, pour implanter les structures et faire la promotion du Yoseishin.

Le 20 novembre 2018 devant ceintures noires et élèves au Dojo Lebourgneuf à

Québec, elle reçoit de la prestigieuse Dai Nippon Butoku Dai par l’entremise de son

représentant officiel au Canada, Hanshi Ken Tallack, la reconnaissance du titre de

Kyoshi.

Elle pratique l’Iaïdo, Seiya-ryu, sous la direction de Sensei Jean-Noël Blanchette,Shihan-

Dai et obtient le degré de 3e dan en juin 2023.

De plus, elle pratique le Kobudo d’Okinawa de la famille Matayoshi sous la direction de

Sensei Jean-Marc Corriveau.

C’est au cours du 2e Festival annuel d’été d’entraînement tenu du 4 au 6 août 2023 à

Kingston, Ontario, qu’elle reçoit de la prestigieuse Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK) par

l'entremise de son représentant au Canada, Hanshi Ken Tallack, la certification de son 8e

dan de même que la reconnaissance du titre de Hanshi. Elle devient la première femme

Hanshi au Canada certifié DNBK à recevoir cet éminent honneur.

Frank Clayton

Born In Halifax Nova Scotia 1959

Raised in Montreal for 9 years

My journey into the world of martial arts began when I participated in Judo and Boxing for a couple of years.

My lifelong passion and career in Martial arts really began when I moved to Hamiton in 1968 and joined Eastern Karate in 1971.

In 1977 I went to Don Warrener's Delta club where I eventually earned my black belt in 1980.

Through my position at the Delta Dojo I also had the opportunity to travel. I went to San Francisco where I competed for the first time representing Canada in a karate Jiu jitsu tournament.

My first Dojo was on East Columbia Street, New Westminster. This was the beginning of what would become a successful chain of Dojo's know as "CMAA"

I am also pleased to say that I have helped 10 of my students to open their own Dojo's and I continue to mentor them to be successful and contribute positively to the communities in which they serve.

I have taught more than 10,000 students and have produced over 300 black belts. I am grateful to have had the support of the many communities in BC where I have lived and worked as a respected Sensei and community member. My Dojo' and my students strive to have a positive impact in the sport, in their families and in their communities.

I teach Goju ryu Karate and travel to Okinawa regularly and continue to pursue my own training.

Currently Ranked

Okinwan Gojuryu 7th dan Renshi

Ryu Kyu Kobudo 5th dan

Shorin ryu sho dan

Esuke Akimine Kobudo shodan

Frank Delorenzis

"Coming soon".

Bernard Ladouceur

Started his Martial Arts training in December 1971 at the Therien Jiu-Jitsu Dojo in Vanier Ontario. He remains part of the Therien family to this day and owns and operates two Therien Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing schools in Gatineau Quebec since January 10th, 2000.

He considers himself fortunate to have been surrounded and mentored by the likes of John Therien, Gerry Perrier, Norm Beauchamp, and Jean-Yves Theriault, just to name a few. Over the years and decades, Sensei Therien connected us all to Martial Arts legends, the likes of Hanshi Cezar Borkowski and his entire NKS family and team leaders, Professor Richard Morris and Jiu-Jitsu International and Hanshi Alain Sailly, with whom he has had the privilege of traveling and teaching across Europe and North America.

In 1980, he joined the Gloucester Police Dept., and retired in June of 2012, after 32 years of service. His career included 4 ½ years of experience as a patrol officer, 4 ½ years as a crime scene Identification Officer. In 1989 he was assigned to the Major Crime Section as Investigator and in 1990 was promoted to Sergeant.

It was very early in his police career with Gloucester and because of his martial arts background he became the Self Defence Instructor and eventually became a Defensive Tactics Specialist. In the mid 1980's he became certified in Pressure Points and Control Tactics through PPCT Management Systems.

In his Martial Arts career, he was voted on the board of Directors for the CIJJF (Canadian International Jiu-Jitsu Federation) and eventually rose to the position of President of the association of CIJJF, up until the time that Hanshis Therien, Sailly and Prof. Richard Morris created the World Kobudo Federation.

Though he was never a successful competitor at Martial Arts tournaments, he did excel in Street Self Defence and survival. In his younger years on the police force, he was a much sought after back up whenever the need arose. As a result, he also became a much sought after Law Enforcement Trainer, not only locally, but on Provincial, National and International Level.

IMMay of 2023, at the Rendez-Vous Levis event, he successfully completed his exam and requirements and was awarded the rank of 8th Dan in Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu.

Leo Loucks

Leo Loucks was introduced to martial arts at the age of 10 by his grade 5 teacher Robert Leeson, a lifelong Judoka.

At the age of 13 his mother took him to a Karate demonstration and he began his training under Sensei Harold Warden. Through his teens Leo trained with Gary Legacy and John Pierson competing in hundreds of Karate tournaments winning several national championships.

Leo also represented Canada in numerous international tournaments. At the age of 16 Leo attended a full contact Karate match involving “Superfoot” Bill Wallace that inspired him to transition to full contact karate. Leo had his first full contact karate fight within a year. At age 18 Leo began training with Jimmy Fields and was managed by Ron Day.

On February 2, 1986 Leo won the PKA world lightweight full contact karate championship and held that title for 2 years.

Leo retired from fighting in 1988 to begin his career with the Toronto Police Service and was a member of their Emergency Task Force.

He then returned to his hometown of London Ontario and joined the London Police Service. He was also a member of their Emergency Response Unit.

In 2001 he joined the Ontario Provincial Police serving in uniform and as an instructor for the In-Service Training Unit. Currently, at the age of 65, he is an instructor at the Ontario Police College teaching immediate rapid deployment and defensive tactics to recruits.

Throughout his policing career he remained involved in martial arts training both amateur athletes and professional fighters. He has trained UFC fighters Chad Laprise, Mark Hominick, Jesse Ronson and Chris Clements and was the kickboxing trainer of World Champion Kickboxers Brad Fowler and Steve Shively and continues to be a sought-after trainer of combat athletes. Leo regularly teaches seminars for karate schools throughout Ontario including Bernardo Karate in London, Summit Karate in Toronto, and Troop MMA in Sudbury. In 2019 the NHL invited Leo as a guest speaker to the referees, linesman and officials fall camp to speak on conflict resolution.

In 2019 Leo was inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame recognizing his lifetime commitment to martial arts.

Ron Mattie

Hanshi Mattie has made a tremendous impact on Martial Arts in Canada. He was appointed as the Chief Instructor for the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation (SWKKF) by Shintani Sensei. Since his appointment as Chief Instructor, Hanshi Mattie has been traveling across Canada and the United States teaching Shintani Sensei's philosophy. The SWKKF is fortunate to have instructors located in almost every province in Canada. Through Hanshi Mattie, the SWKKF has brought karate to rural and urban areas in Canada. Hanshi Mattie travels to over 100 SWKKF dojo's across Canada on a yearly basis.

In addition to promoting karate across Canada, Hanshi Mattie has been very involved in teaching Iaido and Shindo in Southern Ontario and across Canada in many rural dojos. This is a rare opportunity for rural communities to learn the art without being located in a major city.

Hanshi Mattie has dedicated his life to promoting Shintani Wado Kai, Shindo and Iaido. The impact he has made on the SWKKF, Shindo and Iaido is unremarkable.

1968 – Started Judo.

1972 – Started Karate with Hanshi Masuru Shintani (Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation).

1976 – Earned Shodan in Shintani Wado Kai.

1980 – Started Japanese Jujitsu.

1985 – At Hanshi Shintani's request, started traveling to all Shintani Wado Kai Clubs across Canada.

1990 – Awarded Lifetime Instructor Certification

1991 – Karate-do Wado Kai Tokyo Japan Lifetime Instructor Certification

1996 – Selected by Hanshi Shintani to represent the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation in Okinawa.

2000 – Started Iaido and Kendo with Canadian Kendo / Iaido Federation

2008 – Hachidan Wado Kai. Certificate from Otsuka Sensei.

2009 – Earned Nidan in Kendo with Canadian Kendo / Iaido Federation

2017 – Earned Godan in Iaido with Canadian Kendo / Iaido Federation

2018 – Part of team presenting Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation to Karate Canada to become a recognized association. This was something Hanshi Shintani always wanted. In honour of him, we were successful.

2020 – Earned Kudan with World Traditional Karate Association

2020 – Earned Kudan with Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation

Phil McColl

Began training on September 10, 1975 with Sensei Don Warrener

who remains my sensei today.

*Grading Achievements:*

- Shodan: April 28, 1978

- Nidan: April 28, 1981

- Sandan: 1984

- Yondan: 1990

- Godan: June 15, 1995

- Rokudan: September 26, 1998

- Shichidan: May 13, 2006

- Hachidan: October 15, 2019

- Kudan: January 1, 2023

*Honorific Title:*

- Awarded the honorific of Kyoshi on September 22, 2011.

*Notable Achievements:*

- Attended the WKO World Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1994, where I demonstrated Chatan Yara no Kon and coached the McMaster women's kata team to a 1st place gold.

*Training Influences:*

- Had the privilege of training with O'sensei Richard Kim and Senseis Chuck Merriman, Fumio Demura, Jim Wilson, Peter Urban, and Professors Wally Jay and Don Jacob over nearly 49 years.

Mamoru Oye

Born, April 1st, 1937

Moe's first exposure to Judo was watching his brother workout in an Internment Camp in British Columbia during the 2nd World War. He was considered too young too participate, that did not stop him from learning the various techniques when him and his brother came home after Judo Classes.

When Moe and his family were dispersed to Manitoba after the War, he started Judo under the instruction of Sensei Tom Mitani in Winnipeg.

Moe was an avid student and competitor and in the Mid 1950's won several Midwest Judo tournaments. In 1957 he again won the tournament and was promoted to Black Belt (Shodan) by the Sensei's.

In 1959 Moe competed in the first Canadian National Judo Championships and continued his competitive career until the mid-1970's.

In 1963, the Manitoba Black Belt Association was formed, and Moe was elected the Vice-President, a position he held until 1972 when he was elected the President of the Association, and remained as the President for many years. At the same time he also became the Provincial Coach and a leader in the development of the National Coaching Certification Plan for Canada. Moe is a Level 4 National Certified Coach.

Moe was one of the of the Organizers for the 1967 Pan Am Games and after the Games became the Head Coach of the Manitoba Judo Club. In the 1980's Moe moved the Manitoba Judo Club from downtown Winnipeg to the University of Manitoba where it still remains.

Moe also served a Vice-President for Judo Canada for many years and was instrumental in writing the first National Grading Syllabus in Canada.

Moe is a member of the Judo Manitoba Hall of Fame, Judo Canada Hall of Fame and Sport Manitoba Hall of Fame.

Over the years Moe produced many high-level competitors, many of who won National championships, and several who have moved to other parts of Canada and continue to be in leadership positions in Canadian Judo.

He also produced 3 Olympians, Ewan Beaton, Niki Adams (Jenkins) and Mark Berger, who won a bronze medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Ca.

Moe was promoted to Kudan 9th degree black belt in 2021. Moe is one of only five members of Judo Canada to attain this rank.

Moe has been directly responsible or involved in developing 121 members to their Black Belt. There are many more, as his students have all developed many of their students to Black Belts

Moe took over what his Sensei Tom Mitani started and has been instrumental in bringing Judo in Manitoba and Canada to National and International recognition.

Moe continues to practice and teach Judo at 87 years old but has turned over the head coach of the Manitoba Judo Club, now known as the U of M Judo Club to one of his student Gary Robinson.

Craig Vokey

Born in St. John's NL, my introduction to Karate was in 1984 when, in first year university.

Fast forward to 1988 and I left St. John's to follow my girlfriend (now wife) who was furthering her education at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. At this time I happened to wander into a Goju Ryu karate club which was affiliated with the International Karate-do Gojukai Association, headquartered in Tokyo under the leadership of Yamaguchi, Goshi - Saiko Shihan. Eventually I received my yondan from Yamaguchi Sensei in 2004 and helped expand the IKGA in Canada.

In 1993 I participated in the first IKGA Global Championships in Chiba, Japan, and am still the only Canadian (to the best of my knowledge) to participate in the 'Jiyu Kumite' portion of the event. I went on to compete in 1997, São Paulo, and 2001, Perth Australia, finishing just off the podium in mens +84kg. That was my last competition.

In 2006, for a variety of reasons, I joined Seiwakai, a member of the JKF Gojukai, under Tasaki, Shujii Sensei. Since Tasaki Sensei's passing the Siewakai is now headed by Fujirwara, Seiichi Sensei. Since then I have been able to expand the Seiwakai in Canada, enjoy many trips to Japan and elsewhere for training, host several events in Canada and generally enjoy karate in a collegial atmosphere where the emphasis is on mutual support, good training and friendship. Of note, I continue to enjoy a friendship with Yamaguchi Sensei and many members of the IKGA.

Currently, my rank in Seiwakai is nana dan (November 2019) and in JKF Gojukai it is rokku dan, which I passed in 2024 in Osaka, Japan. Currently I am affiliated with about a dozen dojo in Canada and we have recently re-established the JKF Gojukai as a recognized entity in Canada,

In 1994 I moved to Sudbury, ON and founded the Laurentian University Karate Club, where I taught as a volunteer instructor until 2020, when the pandemic closed the club for almost 3 years.

In 2005 I began refereeing in Karate Ontario events (I eventually became a national referee A judge A for kumite and Kata in the the National Karate Association - now known as Karate Canada). In 2007 I was approached to run for election as Vice President - for which I served two terms from 2007-2013.

During my time as VP for KO I was able to work with a colleague, Joy Ang, to bring Karate into the 2010 Ontario Games, where it had been absent for 30 years.

In 2010 I was approached to sit as a director for the newly minted Karate Canada, which replaced the National Karate Association with new bylaws, voting processes and policies. I accepted and in 2011 was elected as Vice President where I remained until 2016 when I became the President for Karate Canada, now known as the Board Chair. I was reelected in 2019 and 2022.

Lee Chi Wai

Master Lee Chi Wai is a world-class martial artist and instructor. He is the disciple of nine different masters of legendary Kung Fu styles originating from all over China, and a 31st generation Shaolin Temple warrior monk disciple.

Born in Hong Kong, Master Lee's Kung Fu training began at an early age when his grandfather introduced him to qin na , the seizing and locking art Kung Fu. He later learned Praying Mantis styles and his family style, known as the Lee Family Southern Way System. He later specialized in the internal style of Chuojiao-Guiyuanquan. Throughout his life, he has remained dedicated to the study and promotion of Chinese martial arts.

Master Lee is proficient in over eighteen styles of traditional Northern and Southern Kung Fu. He is the official world representative of the Chuojiao-Guiyuan System and the Lee Family Southern Way Fist. In addition, he is one of only seven authorized instructors of Tai Chi Plum Flower Praying Mantis and the only North American authority on the Way of Internal Wellness Qigong System and the Tai Yi Daoist Qigong System .

A master of traditional Chinese medicine, Master Lee descends from an extensive lineage of martial and medical practitioners within his own family tree. He is the sixth generation representative of his ancestral commitment to the practice of holistic natural treatments and herbal medicine.

Initially residing in Regina, Saskatchewan , Master Lee later relocated to Mississauga, Ontario , opening the Chung Wah Kung Fu International Research Centre, to further promote Chinese martial arts.

Master Lee regularly runs continuing education programs for health care professionals to increase their knowledge in Traditional Chinese wellness, qi gong, and other healing methods.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

2002 (Malaysia): 5th International Traditional Kung Fu Masters Performance and Championship, and Moonlight Dragon Dance and Lion Dance Invitational Tournament: Gold Medals Traditional Hand Forms and Special Weapons.

2001 (Taibei): International Lion and Dragon Dancing Kung Fu Championship, Famous Kung Fu Masters Championship: Gold Medal Special Weapons.

Chung Wah-Shaolin International Training Centre President, Chief Instructor

Wuhan University Masters and Ph. D. Martial Arts Studies Guest Professor

International Wu Xue (Martial Arts) Federation President, Canadian Representative

International Shaolin Damo Qigong Training Centre Overseas Representative and Advisor, Instructor

Shaolin Zen System of Health and Longevity Qigong North American Representative

Board of Integrative Medicine

Doctor of Integrative Medicine and Doctor of Humanitarian Services.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Masami Tsuruoka Life Time Achievement/Prix Hommage Masami Tsuruoka

John Therien

Hanshi John Therien is in great demand around the world for teaching seminars, speaking and promoting/organizing martial arts conferences.

He's the founder of Therien Jiu-Jitsu & Kickboxing Dojo, established 1968, one of Canada's largest and most successful Martial Arts school. His school is celebrating 56 years of excellence this year, which is a milestone unheard of in this era and industry.

He has certified and graduated over a thousand Black Belts. Head instructor for more than 3000 active students in the Can-Ryu system.

Co-founder of World Kobudo Federation (WKF). A non-political martial arts organization with affiliates in 32 countries and thousands of members.

Approximately 200 schools, in Canada and around the world are link either directly to him or to his lineage of his black belts.

Executive Director for the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame.

Founder (1991) Promoter of Capital Conquest, one of the largest & most successful martial arts training camp in the world.

Some of Hanshi John Therien's martial arts achievements include:

· Title of Hanshi (Leader of Leaders)

· 9th degree Black Belt in Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu

· Man of the Decade 1980's – PKA (Professional Karate Association)

· 1982 – PKA Promoter of the Year

· 1996 – Inducted into the CJA Hall of Fame

· Canadian Government Award for achievement in Jiu-Jitsu

· Golden Belt Award for being a pioneer of Jiu-Jitsu in Canada

· Golden Belt Award for being a pioneer of Kickboxing in Canada

· Ranked #1 Jiu-Jitsu instructor in Canada by his peers

· Manager of 23-time world Kickboxing Champion, Jean-Yves Thériault

· Canadian Black Belt Martial Arts Hall of Fame May 2010

· Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame Pierre Elliott Trudeau Award Humanitarian

Award 2014

· City Builders Award 2014 for Ottawa Ontario Canada

President of the BIA (Vanier Ontario Canada)Merchants&ProfessionalAssociation 2007-2015.

· Published in the Who's Who in the Martial Arts 2017

· Joe Lewis Eternal Warrior for World Changer Award 2018

· Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame 2021

With no sign of slowing down, Hanshi John Therien is a hard man to keep up with, with the same great energy, enthusiasm and ideas that he kicked off his career with. There's no sign of this man backing away. Martial Arts truly feeds the blood in his veins.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Humanitarian/Prix Humanitaire Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Daryoush Jahangir

I was born in Tehran, Iran, on June 29,1956

I began training in wrestling and Sambo at age 12, and joined Kanzen Ryu Karate, in Tehran, at 16 years of age.

I left Iran in 1979 and moved to India where I studied for 5 years.

I moved to Canada in 1983 and settled in Sudbury Ontario before relocating to Toronto in 1985.

I started training in Kempo Karate and Goju Ryu in Scarborough, ON, with sensei Ron Yamanaka in 1989.

I founded my company Satori Uniforms/ Satori dojo in 1996.

Over the last 50+ years I have practiced Karate, Aikido, Jiu-Jiutsu and Judo, Kobudo and my favourite martial art, Iaido.

I feel very fortunate and am very thankful for all the good fortune that has come my way.

I believe in giving back to my community. I have chosen to support and promote fundraising for cancer research and to support programs for victims of domestic violence.

Dr Alastair Murray Community Award/Prix Communaute Dr Alastair Murray

Dojos D'arts-Martiaux

1. Karate Classes in Primary Schools

We are deeply involved in more than 50 primary schools in our regions, where we offer karate classes directly to the students. We firmly believe that practicing karate has a direct correlation with academic success. By integrating karate into the students' environment every week, we provide them with an opportunity to develop discipline, concentration, and self-esteem—essential qualities for excelling academically.

2. Support for Underprivileged Children

We took the initiative a few years ago to offer free karate classes, with a total value of $100,000, to underprivileged children in our region. This program aimed to give these children an equal chance to benefit from the physical and mental advantages of karate, regardless of their financial situation. By providing them with this opportunity, we hope not only to have improved their well-being but also to have given them the tools necessary for success in life.

3. Fundraising for Martial Arts Events

We regularly organize chocolate and coffee fundraisers, allowing more than 500 children to participate in a martial arts weekend for free. These initiatives not only raise funds for their participation but also teach the children the importance of perseverance and discipline. By selling chocolate bars or coffee bags, the children learn to set goals, work towards achieving them, and appreciate the rewards of their efforts.

4. Development of Educational Programs

Our organization has developed programs specifically designed for children, focusing not only on learning karate but also on the values associated with it, such as respect, discipline, and rigor. We believe that these values are essential pillars of children's development. Our programs are structured to instill these principles while providing a stimulating and encouraging environment for young participants.

Antony / Emilie / Martin / Pier-Olivier