| Name |
Rank |
Photo |
Profile |
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Mike Wilson mike.wilson@shukokai.ca |
Go Dan (5th)
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Mike began Karate training in 1972 in St. Catharines Ont. under a Wado-Kai dojo in Port Dalhousie, St. Catharines run by Sensei Ron Krayewski. Sensei Ron Krayewski was a student of Sensei Masaru Shintani, and was also affiliated with Sensei Ryokichi Katano in Lock Port New York.
Mike attended about 5 classes per week and by the time he was a green belt, he was coming to every class before the students to prepare the dojo for the class. This entailed washing the tile floor and cleaning the mirrors. Karate was his life from an early age.
Mike obtained his brown belt and began a Karate program at a prestigious boarding school in St. Catharines called Ridley College. Mike ran the program for two years until he graduated from high school.
Mike also had the honour of personally meeting Hironori Ōtsuka, the founder of Wado-Ryu, before he died in 1982.
Mike achieved his Sho Dan in Wado-Ryu in 1978 from Sensei Ryokichi Katano in Lockport New York.
After obtaining his Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, Mike moved to Kitchener, and in 1999 started training in Shuko-Kai Shito-Ryu Karate-Do.
Mike taught a couple classes per week at the Shuko-Kai dojo in Waterloo. Mike also ran the Karate program at the YMCA in Kitchener for two years.
Mike obtained his Go Dan in Shuko-Kai in 2012 from Sensei Kunio Miyake.
Mike has attended many seminars and instructor training sessions from Sensei Miyake at the Shuko-Kai International head quarters in McAllen Texas.
Mike currently holds a Godan (5th degree) in Karate-Do, a Shodan (1st degree) in Iaido, and a Shodan (1st degree) in Jujitsu, all from Sensei Kunio Miyake.
Mike is currently President of Shuko-Kai International - North America and Canadian Chief Instructor.
| Kathy Wilson kathy.wilson@shukokai.ca | Ni Dan (2nd)
| | Kathy began her Martial Arts training at 15 years of age. She studied Chito-Ryu in Nova Scotia and progressed up to her green belt before leaving for school in Toronto. After moving to Waterloo, Kathy resumed her training as a white belt in Shito-Ryu, and in 2008 she received her black belt.
Kathy has been very active in the dojo and Community Centers as a Sempai and now teaches at the main dojo.
Kathy currently holds a Nidan (2nd degree) black belt in Karate-Do and is Secretary of Shuko-Kai International - North America.
| Kathy-Jo Houde
kathyjo.houde@shukokai.ca | Sho Dan (1st) | | Kathy-Jo's karate journey began in September 2006 when her daughter started taking lessons under the leadership of Sensei Mike Wilson. She was impressed with her daughter's enthusiasm to go to class week after week and the transformation she experienced after being in karate. She went from a shy and timid little girl to a more confident and daring individual. It was because of these successes that Kathy-Jo decided to try karate herself.
Kathy-Jo began formal training early in 2007. It was a difficult start as she was a "not so active" stay at home mother. The spark that ignited her passion for karate came in the first tournament she competed in. There was just something special about that one small moment of glory and the pride in her family's eyes. It was then that Kathy-Jo began to train very seriously with many weeks of putting in almost 10 hours of classes and practice.
Kathy-Jo achieved her black belt in Shuko-Kai Shito-Ryu in 2011, and is currently the Kinder Kids program instructor and Treasurer of Conestoga Karate. |
Mark Munro
mark.munro@shukokai.ca |
San Dan (3rd)
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Sensei Mark Munro is the chief instructor for Mitsumaru Shuko-Kai. He currently holds a 3rddegree black belt and trains under Sensei Mike Wilson, president of Shuko-Kai Canada.
With more than 25 years experience, Mark began his training at age 11, learning judo before beginning his karate practice at age 14. For 8 years he practiced Shotokan now known as Tsuruoka Do which was founded by Master Masami Tsuruoka. (Tsuruoka sensei is credited with the title “father of Canadian karate”.) The core of his karate can be attributed to Sensei Ron Fagan, an exceptionally talented technical instructor.
He also practiced Goju-Ryu, Tai-Chi and Chito-Ryu before leaving Canada for Japan. While in Japan Mark had the opportunity to be introduced to Koji Aritoshi, 8th dan and formerly vice president of the Japan Karate-do Kenshukai until his retirement. Aritoshi Sensei introduced Mark to Shito-Ryu, a dominant style in Osaka and Kobe.
Aritoshi Sensei was, and contiues to be the most influencial person in his karate development. The club name "Mitsumaru" was given to mark in 1992 by Aritoshi sensei describing the attitude by which mark practices. It roughly translates to :"everyone is welcome" when read with the original kanji. The club crest (seen below in red) contains his name, the symbol for Kobe city and the stylized connection between Japan and Canada.
After several years in Japan, Mark returned to Canada to complete his  studies at Acadia University, earning a degree in Physical Education, then set off to Japan once again. He returned to Canada a year later and entered Saint Francis Xavier University and earned a degree in Information systems from the “Schwartz School of Business and Information Systems” in Antigonish Nova Scotia. After, which he finally settled in Guelph.
Mark is an NCCP level 3 trained coach and is a member of the “Coaches Association of Ontario”, “Coaching Association of Canada” as well as a member of “Shuko-kai International, Shuko-kai Canada”, Karate Ontario and the National Karate Association. He has been recognized as a coach for baseball as well as karate and continually strives to update, and gain new knowledge in coaching and skills training.
Mark has a academic interest in exercise physiology and bio-mechanics, as well as adult and child learning theory, which he applies to his class.
He is currently working on a Masters Degree (MASc. Biological Engineering) at the University of Guelph, studying biomechanics in an industrial setting. |
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| Chris Wilson |
Ni Dan (2nd) |
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Chris began his Karate training at home from his father. He began formal training in 1997 at Forest Heights Community Centre.
He achieved his Sho Dan Ho in 2004. After receiving his black belt, Chris became the instructor at the YMCA and taught there for three years.
In 2008 he achieved his 2nd, Ni Dan, black belt. |
Servije Murharemfski
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Sho Dan (1st)
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I started karate In 1997 with Sensei Emanuel Silva. I joined to try it out for the summer, but It soon became part of my life style. I started training 3-5 times a week, including private lessons with Sensei Emanuel Silva, and couple years later I was competing at an international level. I have competed in provincial, and international tournaments. Including Karate Ontario and Kubota Cup International Karate. I won first place at the Kubota Cup tournament in sparing 2 years in the row.
I achieved my Sho Dan Ho in 2002. In 2008 I achieved 1st, Sho Dan, black belt
I have taught at the YMCA for several years….4-6 classes per week and helped Sensei Emanuel teach at Bridgeport Community Center for several years and also helped him teach private students.
I truly enjoy teaching and sharing my knowledge of martial arts with others, especially young children. I find it very rewarding watching the children learn and gain confidence in themselves. The look on their face when they win their first medal/trophy is so rewarding and priceless.
I am a Personal Trainer certified by Can Fit Pro and love helping others get fit and improve their health.
I also work as a nurse full time………
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Laura Wensink
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Sho Dan Ho |
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Laura originally started her martial arts training in another Kitchener dojo at the age of 11 and obtained an yellow belt elsewhere before transfering over to Shuko-Kai. She started back as a white belt and has been steadilly working hard to obtain her black belt. Laura has been an active assistant as Sempai in local community centers.
Laura's martial arts studies have included tournments all with metal results and also weapons: Arnis, Nunchaku, and Bow; she is a patient quick study. Overall Karate has enriched her life, studies, self awareness, inner and outer strength. |
John Wilson
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Sho Dan Ho
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John began his Karate training in 1997, and had competed in several local, provincial, and international tournaments all with very good results. He was a Sempai at the YMCA for three years and in 2008 he received his black belt in Shito-Ryu. |
| Andrea Mrsa |
Sho Dan Ho |
| Andrea began Karate at the age of 10 at Forest Heights Community Centre. Over the years she has volunteered at various community centers as an instructor.
Andrea received her Shodan-Ho in March of 2008 and hopes to continue training further. Karate has helped her become stronger, more confident and more active.
She has achieved medals in kumite in various local tournaments, as well as Karate Ontario tournaments. In November 2011 she made Team Ontario for kumite. She hopes to continue karate and competing in the hopes of making it to the national team. |  |
