Black Belts

Masanobu Kikukawa Hanshi President Shorin-ryu Shinkokai - Advisor      Sokuichi Gibu Hanshi President Shorin-ryu Butokukan - Advisor David Walker - President & Technical Director David Walker Renshi (Master: 6th Dan) has studied Karate for 26 years and is the senior international student of Masanobu Kikukawa Hanshi (9th Dan, Okinawa Shorin-ryu Shinkokai). David Sensei's belief that all martial arts are inextricably connected has also lead to his studying Ryukyu Kobudo (Okinawan weaponry; also under Kikukawa Hanshi), which he feels has assisted him in better understanding the true nature of Karate. His extensive technical knowledge has led enthusiasts from near and far and even high-ranking teachers of other styles of martial arts to come to him in order to learn his methods. David Sensei has indeed earned his reputation as one of Canada's most eagerly sought after high-level teachers of classical Okinawan Karate and Kobudo.   More about David Sensei ...

Below are the individuals to have achieved Black Belt ranking in Shintokukai

Michelle Brooks - Association Director Michelle Brooks Sensei, Sandan (3rd Dan) is best known for her sharp, highly focused techniques and keen leadership skills. Her high-energy presence and strong fighting spirit have long made her the Shintokukai standard for excellence - whether expressed in her exceptional technical ability, or in her decision-making as director of the Shintokukai Karate & Kobudo Association. Michelle Sensei is always available to answer students' questions and offer insights that she has gained through her many years of diligent study.

Tristan Barry - Sandan Tristan Barry Sensei has trained consistently at Shintokukai for the past 8 years. Known for his powerful, smooth flowing techniques and strong martial attitude, Tristan Sensei has progressed rapidly in his martial arts career. A career highlight for Tristan Sensei was having trained alongside Shintokukai Founder David Walker Sensei in Okinawa in 2008, learning first hand of the caliber of Shintokukai's strong roots in Okinawa. Although of a larger athletic stature, Tristan Sensei moves with the grace and finesse of a much smaller practitioner - a mixture rarely seen. Professional, confident, but also personable and approachable, Tristan Sensei well exemplifies Shintokukai's high instructor standards.

Melanie Goulet - Nidan Melanie Goulet Sensei began her training with us 12 years ago and has since earned her Nidan (2nd Dan). She is best known for her indomitable spirit and mental toughness. Melanie Sensei generally prefers to lead by example, rather than through a great deal of lengthy explanation. Our students have uniquely benefited from this subtle, yet effective teaching method. She is also our school's webmaster, and we are appreciative of the many hours she has invested in developing this website. Additionally, Melanie Sensei is actively involved in our youth program and has played an important, supportive role in sustaining its tremendous success over the past several years.

Matthew Savage - Nidan Matthew Savage Sensei began his training history with Shintokukai 12 years ago and currently possesses the rank of Nidan (2nd Dan). Recently he returned from a two year working holiday in Japan teaching English, developing his Japanese language skills, as well as to be expected, furthering his martial arts capabilities. Known for his strong body and strictly focused training attitude, Matthew Sensei is one of only two individuals permitted to take David Sensei's uke (recipient of controlled techniques) for in-class demonstrations - not a job for the faint of heart.

Martin Russell - Nidan Martin Russell Sensei has maintained a consistent presence within the Shintokukai organization for more than 8 years - starting out as a student at our Fraser Academy dojo in Vancouver and now, completing the circle, teaching there as Head Instructor. We feel that as a Fraser Academy alumnus, he is an appropriate choice and the perfect fit for this position. Martin Sensei emits a genuine sincerity, complimenting what all have found to be his very kind and gentle nature - features that we as students of martial arts constantly strive toward cultivating within ourselves, but that which Martin Sensei exhibits simply naturally.

Sam Law - Nidan Sam Law Sensei, recently promoted to Nidan (2nd Dan), has diligently studied at Shintokukai for the past 6 years. Known particularly for his quick and highly effective sparring abilities, as well as exceptionally strong physical endurance, Sam Sensei sets a high achievement bar among his dojomates. Sincere, soft-spoken yet articulate, Sam Sensei naturally possesses fine leadership qualities which will surely benefit Shintokukai's rapidly expanding student body well into the future.

Adam Nicholson - Shodan Adam Nicholson Sensei comes to us from an advanced athletics background. Humble, yet strong minded and highly achievement oriented, Adam Sensei emits a rare confidence. Both physically strong and highly detail oriented, Adam Sensei manages to finely blend both of these characteristics into his overall technical performance. His positivity and friendly outgoing nature make him a fine representative of Shintokukai.

Virginia Lo - Shodan Virginia Lo Sensei has studied at Shintokukai for 6 years and is one of our newest Black Belts. Possessing extremely fast technique, yet also highly detail-oriented, Virginia Sensei has established a new standard for aspiring Shintokukai Black Belts. Her calm, patient demeanour is also proving to be effective in her recently assisting with some of our children's classes. A professional computer programmer by trade, martial artist by heart, and avid Hockey player by night, Virginia Sensei balances a busy Vancouver lifestyle.

Samantha Savage - Shodan Samantha Savage Sensei has trained consistently at Shintokukai for the past 7 years, recently earning her Shodan (1st Dan). Additionally she holds Black Belt grades in Meibukan Goju-ryu and Mukenkan Goju-ryu, both acquired while in Japan. Having lived and trained in Japan for extended periods, Samantha Sensei possesses a keen and in-depth awareness of Japanese language and customs. Combined with her hallmarked calm and gracious manner, Samantha Sensei maintains a uniquely capable set of martial arts teaching qualifications and credentials making her a strong addition to our teaching staff.

Ross Story - Shodan Ross Story Sensei, a Shintokukai member since 2003, came to us as a result of his children first studying with us. Known for his strong body and powerful techniques, Ross Sensei balances these attributes with an acute interest in the finer complexities of the Shintokukai arts of Karate and Kobudo, demonstrating a more equalized and harmonious approach to training than is often observed at the Shodan level. Having lived in Japan for over 3 years, marrying into a Japanese family, speaking the language virtually fluently and to this day engaged in a long-term career with a well known Japanese firm, Ross Sensei brings to Shintokukai a rare insight into Japanese culture. A technology professional, Ross Sensei generously and regularly contributes his technical talents to Shintokukai producing many of our promotional materials, including the visual framework for this website.

Francis Brassard - Shodan Francis Brassard Sensei carries the distinction of being Shintokukai Founder David Walker Sensei's second-only mago deshi (student of a student) having graduated into our adult program after several years spent training in our junior classes. Francis Sensei brings to the dojo a sincere youthful enthusiasm punctuated with a strong sense of maturity and training discipline, personifying the desired results of martial arts training in young people. In the dojo Francis Sensei is known for this highly capable sparring skills and for being able to hit extremely hard! - when appropriate. Francis Sensei is currently a first year student at Simon Fraser University.