instruct

CHIEF INSTRUCTOR/FOUNDER RENSHIKAN KARATE-DO INTERNATIONAL: Sensei David Akutagawa, 8^th dan/Shihan

Sensei David Akutagawa has a dedicated Karate history spanning more than 50 years. He came to Canada after graduating from the University of Kohan, Kobe Japan, with an Economic Science Degree. Once arriving in Canada he began to take courses at the University of Calgary. His Karate background at that time was in the Shito-Ryu and Shotokan styles. He began teaching Karate at the RCMP academy in Regina in 1967 and taught the RCMP until 1977.

In order to further his Karate career, Sensei Akutagawa traveled to Toronto to meet and train under Sensei Mas Tsuruoka, the "Father of Canadian Karate", as well as the head instructor of Chito-Ryu in Canada. It was Sensei Tsuruoka who introduced Sensei Akutagawa to O'Sensei, Dr Tsuyoshi Chitose, founder and supreme instructor of Chito-Ryu. Thus began Sensei Akutagawa's training in Chito-Ryu.

Sensei Tsuruoka left Chito-Ryu in the early 1970's, whereby O'Sensei appointed Sensei Shane Higashi of Toronto as Councilor, and Sensei Akutagawa as Vice Councilor of Canadian Chito-Ryu. In the late 1970's Sensei Akutagawa helped develop the National Karate Association and was Chairman of the Officials Committee for 5 years.

In December of 1996 Sensei Akutagawa resigned as Vice Councilor of Canadian Chito-Ryu and founded Renshikan Karate-Do in January 1997. He has based Renshikan upon traditional Karate, focusing on the Chito-Ryu, Shito-Ryu and Goju-Ryu styles.

On June 1, 2006 Soke Mabuni Kenei of Shito-Ryu Karate-Do promoted David Akutagawa to 8^th Dan/Shihan and officially affiliated Renshikan Karate-Do with Shito-Ryu Karate-Do.

Sensei Robertson CHIEF INSTRUCTOR: Paul Robertson, 4^th Dan/Shihan

Qualifications: Sensei Robertson began his study of Karate in 1984. He reached 1^st Dan in 1989, achieved 2^nd Dan in 1991, 3^rd Dan in 1997, Instructor in 1998, 4^th Dan in 2002 and Senior Instructor in 2008. Further qualifications include:

o NCCP Level II coaching (National Coaching Certification Program)

o Registered and Certified with Karate BC

o Provincial Tournament Referee

o National Karate Association Member

o Background Police check

Charlie Maitland INSTRUCTOR: Charlotte Robertson, 4th Dan/Shidoin

Qualifications: Sensei Charlotte Robertson began her study of Karate in 1981. She reached 1^st Dan level in 1996, 2^nd Dan in 1998, Junior Instructor in 1999, 3^rd Dan/Instructor in 2003 and was promoted to 4^th Dan in 2010. Further qualifications include:

o Former Police Officer

o NCCP Level II coaching (National Coaching Certification Program)

o Registered and Certified with Karate BC

o Background Police Check

o National Karate Association Member

o Provincial Tournament Referee/Judge

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR: Gillian Stephenson, 4th Dan

Qualifications: Sempai Gillian Stephenson began her study of Karate in 1986. She reached 1^st Dan level in 1993, 2^nd Dan in 1997, 3^rd Dan in 2003 and was promoted to 4^th Dan in 2010. Further qualifications include:

o NCCP Level II coaching (National Coaching Certification Program)

o Registered and Certified with Karate BC

o Background Police Check

o National Karate Association Member

o Provincial Tournament Judge

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR: Paul Hetherington, 3^rd Dan

Qualifications: Sempai Paul Hetherington began his study of Karate in 1991. He reached 1^st Dan level in 1999, 2^nd Dan in 2007 and was promoted to 3^rd Dan in 2010. Further qualifications include:

o NCCP Level II coaching (National Coaching Certification Program)

o Registered and Certified with Karate BC

o Background Police Check

o National Karate Association Member

Kamloops Renshikan Karate-Do is a member of the following organizations:

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