Black Belts

Under the leadership of Shikomu Chief Instructor Sandy Roney, the black belt instructional team shares their diverse experience in our children's and adult classes. We are a member of Traditional Karate Arts Canada (TKAC) and have regular classes taught by TKAC Founder Kim Dunn and TKAC Co-Chief Instructor Tom Okura.

Traditional Karate Arts Canada

Shihan Kim Dunn, 8th dan
Founder and Chief Instructor of Traditional Karate Arts Canada

As an Instructor of traditional Karate and self-defence, Kim Dunn has over 49 years of teaching and training experience. He has also studied a variety of martial arts including Taekwondo, Kempo, Kung-fu, Judo and many others.

Kim has been awarded Black Belt Dan certification from such renowned teachers as the late Sensei Wong, Kim-Hooi, the late O-Sensei Masami Tsuruoka, Soke Takayuki Kubota, and Kancho Takemasa Okuyama. Kim has also been certified (in 2014) as a Master-Instructor by the National governing body, Karate Canada.

An accomplished competitor, Kim was the 3-time recipient of the prestigious "Ontario Sports Achievement Award" presented by the Government of Ontario. He competed 4 times at the annual National Black Belt Championships winning a total of 3 gold medals, a silver and a bronze. Kim was also the reigning "Ontario Black Belt Kata Champion" from 1984-1987. He qualified for the National team 3 times and represented Canada at such events as the AAKF USA National Championships in San Francisco and at the 4th World Karate-Do Championships in Cairo, Egypt in 1983. Consequently, a decade later he was selected to co-coach the winning Ontario Black Belt Team for 4 consecutive years. Kim is also NCCP certified.

Kim continues to diligently train and teach in many of the ancient ways, but he also incorporates contemporary health and fitness practices into his training sessions, result in in improved athletic performance. He conducts various courses and seminars through the year promoting the health benefits of karate and martial arts practice.

Sensei Tom Okura, 6th dan
Technical Advisor and Co-Chief Instructor of Traditional Karate Arts Canada

Tom Okura has over 37 years of teaching and training experience as an instructor of traditional karate. Also, he has studied other martial arts including Taekwondo, Tai Chi, Aikido and Kobudo.

Black belt dan certifications have been awarded to Tom from such karate masters as Kei Tsumura, Kim Dunn, Ron Tkacz and Kancho Takemasa Okuyama (most recently 6th dan).

Tom is an accomplished competitor successfully participating in several tournaments at the provincial, national, and international levels. In 1989, Tom captained the Black Belt Kumite Team to first place gold at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) open tournament with representatives from the USA and Great Britain. He also won a bronze medal in kata. In 1999, at the Kubota Cup, Tom won the bronze medal in kata and competed in two kumite divisions to win bronze in the Black Belt Division and gold in the Masters division. Tom still competes in tournaments in the Masters division.

Sensei Tom trains regularly and teaches students of all ages in a number of centres. In addition, he cross trains to maintain fitness and health.

Good technique, discipline, focus and respect are paramount in Tom's teaching curriculum. Tom regularly attends seminars lead by world class instructors in his pursuit of today's evolving karate-do.

Shikomu Karate Club

Shikomu LogoSensei Sandy Roney, 5th dan
Senior Examiner and Chief Instructor of Shikomu Karate

Sensei Sandy Roney started training in England in 1993 after watching his daughter take the beginners' class at the Buckingham Dojo of Sensei Peter Calver. After training hard for four years he received his Shodan in 1997 from Senseis Bernard Coppen, Andy Kidby and Peter Calver (Central Federation of Traditional Shotokan) and two years later, in 1999, he received his Nidan.

Moving back to his native Scotland in 1999 he continued his training and opened his own club under the auspices of C.F.T.S. in 2001.

After emigrating from Scotland to Canada in 2004, and a break of two years, Sensei Roney looked to rekindle his passion for Karate and managed to find the Shikomu Karate Club. He liked what he saw and continued his training in Traditional Shotokan under Shihan Kal Helppi. In December, 2011 Sensei Sandy received his 4th degree black belt sanctioned by Karate Ontario and The National Karate Association.

After Shihan Helppi retired as Chief Instructor, Sensei Roney was offered the position, which he humbly accepted.  He looks forward to continuing Shihan Helppi's teachings which are based on respect, good spirit and attention to detail.

Sensei Shawn Rodie, 4th dan

Sensei Shawn Rodie joined the Shikomu Karate Club in 2018 and received his 4th Dan in Shotokan Karate in 1999 while training since 1984 under Suenori Tominaga 8th Dan at the University of Toronto Karate Club. His Dan’s are recognized by Osamu Yamada 9th Dan of the All Japan Karate Do Federation – Renbukai and Canada Karate Do – Jinbukai as well as the National Karate Association of Ontario. Sensei Rodie is NCCP certified through Karate Ontario.

Sensei Rodie's martial arts career began in 1974 in Ottawa at a school known as the Black Eagle School of Jiu-Jitsu and Kick-Boxing, owned and operated by Professor Georges Sylvain 10th, Dan Can Ryu. After moving from Toronto, Sensei Rodie ran his own martial arts school known as the Goshin Kai School of self-defence. Predominantly a Jiu-Jitsu School, he also ran a separate Karate program there and was an affiliated club to the University of Toronto Karate Club. The Goshin Kai School continues to operate today in North York, Ontario and is managed by the Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts under Sensei Rodie's oversight.

Sensei Rodie has a 7th Dan in Jiu-Jitsu with the Canadian Jiu-Jitsu Association and The New International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, as well as additional Jiu-Jitsu ranks with other organizations. Shawn Rodie is the Founder (Kaiso) and Head (Soke) of Kyoshin Ryu Jiu-Jitsu (Open Minded / Flexible Way) and the President and Chairman of Kyoshin Kan. Sensei Rodie has a 1st Dan in Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido (Japanese Sword Arts).

Sensei Rodie is proud to be amongst the roster of talented instructors at the Shikomu Karate Club and as well as continuing his own martial arts training. He looks forward to contributing to the training and development of the Shikomu students.

Sensei Don Johnston, 3rd dan

Sensei Don Johnston began his karate career in 1981. He trained under Shihan Kal Helppi at the Tsuroka Karate Dojo and later at the Pearson Karate Club. Sensei Johnston was the primary instructor for the children's program at the Pearson Karate Club for many years. He competed in Karate Ontario and NKA tournaments and was a medialist at the Ontario Summer Games. Sensei Johnston received his black belt in 1997, his 2nd degree black belt in 2004 and his 3rd degree black belt in 2010. Sensei Johnston continues his training at the Shikomu Karate Club.

Sensei Iain McMullen, 2nd dan

Sensei Iain McMullen started his karate career in 1999 at the Black Scorpio Karate Association (Ghana Karate-Do Federation) under the leadership of Sensei Ben Selormey, Sensei Prince Wilson and Sensei Sylvester Davis. Sensei Iain earned his Junior Black Belt in 2004. In 2007, after moving Nigeria, he started training under Sensei Alfred Ohimain at the AIS Dojo (NASK - Nigerian Association of Shotokan Karate) and earned his Shodan in 2008. Sensei Iain moved to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in August of 2011, where he trained with a Wado-Kai dojo. Over the summer of 2012, Sensei Iain went back to Ghana to visit his parents, where he assisted with a karate summer camp. This summer camp was lead by Sensei Prince and his new dojo, the Shogun Karate Club. Sensei Iain McMullen was awarded his Nidan in July of 2012 from the Shogun Karate Club. Upon returning to Canada, Sensei Iain continued to train with the Wado-Kai dojo until he found the Shikomu Karate Club, which he now calls home. Sensei Iain competes at Karate Ontario tournaments in the Elite Division and medals often. Sensei Iain McMullen is part of the kids' class instructor team at the Shikomu Karate Club.

Sensei Owen Carter, 2nd dan

Sensei Owen Carter started studying Martial arts in 1994 with Tsurouka Karate Burlington and was awarded his Shodan in 1999 by Sensei Masami Tsuruoka. He was also one of the founding members of Milton Tsuruoka Karate. Owen spent a number of years weight training and exploring other physical activities while taking a break from martial arts and in 2013 he started training with Shikomu Karate.

In 2016 he was awarded his Nidan by Shihan Kim Dunn and Sensei Tom Okura, Chief Instructors of Traditional Karate Arts Canada. Owen also regularly trains in Wado and Goju karate disciplines.

Sensei Mark Patterson, 2nd dan
Webmaster

Sensei Mark Patterson joined the Shikomu Karate Club in 2010 after moving to Burlington. Prior to adopting karate, he trained and taught with the Queen's University Taekwondo Club in Kingston, Ontario under Mr. Michael Delouche. Sensei Patterson holds a second degree black belt in the American Kang Duk Won style and has studied in the World Taekwondo Federation and Judo. Sensei Patterson received his first degree black belt in December of 2012 from the United Shotokan Karate-Do, the organization led by Shihan Bill Carr and Shihan Kal Helppi. In 2016 he was awarded his Nidan by Shihan Kim Dunn and Sensei Tom Okura, Chief Instructors of Traditional Karate Arts Canada.

Sensei Sean Garcia, 2nd dan

Sean started his formal training in traditional Shotokan in Trinidad with the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) in 2013 and quickly moved up the ranks. After many training sessions, he was invited to grade for his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2014 at the IKD Caribbean Championship and was awarded his dan by Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai, 9th dan (Chief Instructor), and Shihan W. Dexter Shim, 8th dan (Deputy Chief Instructor). After taking a brief hiatus to pursue higher education in Canada, he found Shikomu Karate Club to rekindle his passion for karate where after months of training, he graded and was awarded the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) under Traditional Karate Arts Canada (TKAC) chief instructors Shihan Kim Dunn and Sensei Tom Okura. Sean regularly takes part and competes in recreational competitions. In 2017 he won Gold in both kata & kumite at the Shikomu Karate Club Invitational, Gold in kumite at the South Western Ontario Regional Wado Ryu Karate-Do (SWOR) invitational and Gold in both kata and kumite at the Guelph Open Shiai. In 2018 he won Gold in at the Shikomu Karate Club Invitational and Gold in kata, kumite & team kata at the South Western Ontario Regional Wado Ryu Karate-Do (SWOR) invitational. Sean is happy to call Shikomu home and regularly instructs the kids and adult classes.

Sensei Mary Jones Matteson, 1st dan

Sensei Mary Matteson began her training in 2007 after observing her daughter's progress in the Children's Class. And developed a passion for the art as taught at the Shikomu Karate Club. She was awarded her black belt in December 2012 by Shihan Carr and Shihan Helppi of the United Shotokan Karate-Do. Sensei Mary Jones Matteson is proud to continue on the Shotokan path under the leadership of Sensei Sandy Roney. She is one of our Children's Class Instructors as well as a sanctioned Karate Ontario Coach.

Shikomu Karate Club Alumni

Sensei Steve Kawamura

Sensei Steve Kawamura began his training in the Wado-Ryu system under Masaru Shintani in 1986. He earned his Shodan in 1996 under that system, and has continued to be affliated with that system since that time. Sensei Steve earned his 5th dan under Rick Joslin.In 2005, Sensei Steve changed styles and trained JKA Shotokan under Sensei Pete Daypuck in London, Ontario, where he obtained the rank of Nidan in 2009. Sensei Kawamura began looking for a more local Shotokan club with which to train, and was happy to find the Shikomu Karate Club.

Sensei David Gallois

Sensei David Gallois started training in 1987 in Ireland under the leadership of Sensei Paddy Doherty and through the IKU (Irish Karate Union) had reached the rank of 6th Kyu by the time he moved to England. After moving to Canada, he trained with Sensei Van Impe for a number of years. In 2005 Sensei Dave was introduced to the Shikomu Karate Club where he found a perfect dojo to study and train under the guidance of Shihan Kal Helppi. Sensei Dave earned his 3rd degree black belt in December, 2011, which is sanctioned by Karate Ontario and the National Karate Association.

Sensei Emma Borsellino

Sensei Emma Borsellino began her shotokan training in 1997 under the leadership of Senseis Martin Hunter and Peter Tanko at the Miyabi S.K.I.F Dojo in Hamilton. In 2003, she received an unsanctioned junior black belt, just before her dojo closed a month later. After a long break, Sensei Borsellino returned to Shotokan after stumbling on the Shikomu Dojo Website. She was placed at brown belt and spent the coming months training with her new Shikomu family. She received her first degree black belt in April 2011, and her second degree black belt in June, 2013. Sensei Borsellino has also had the honour and privilege of training under Sempai Wing Au and Sempai Bern Noseworthy of Tsuruoka Dojo Newfoundland.

Sensei Julie Brock

Sensei Julie Brock began her Karate training in 1972 at the McMaster University Karate Club in Hamilton, Ontario, studying the Goju Ryu style. She earned her green belt in 1975 under the leadership of Senseis Pat Ammendolio and Frank DeLorenzes. She also studied judo at the McMaster Judo Dojo, under Sensei Umetsu, where in 1974 she earned her green belt. In 1992, Sensei Julie began her career in Shotokan Karate at the Pearson Dojo in Burlington, Ontario, training under the leadership of Shihan Kal Helppi. She received her brown belt in 1999. When Shihan Kal opened the Shikomu Karate Club, Sensei Julie re-joined her original instructor after a five year break. In December 2007, Sensei Julie earned her 1st degree black belt, which has been sanctioned by Karate Ontario and the National Karate Association.

Sensei Noah Gaudun-Ungar

Sensei Noah Gaudun-Ungar began his training in Shotokan Karate in 2007, under the tutelage of Shihan Kal Helppi, Shihan Bill Carr and the Children's Class Instructors; Sensei David Gallois, Sensei Jennifer Roney, Sensei T5, and Sensei Miro Jurak. He later graduated from the Children's Class but continued to train under his old instructors, along with new ones, in the Adult Class. Sensei Noah received his black belt on July 31st, 2011 from Shihan Kal Helppi and Shihan Bill Carr.

Sensei Richard Singer

Sensei Richard Singer began his karate career in 1989, having witnessed a class taught by Sensei Ken Bowman and Shihan Kal Helppi at the Pearson High School. He and two others (among them Sensei Miro Jurak) joined at the first available opportunity. Sensei Singer's training and progress was interrupted by a series of serious injuries which kept his involvement less than he would have liked. Sensei Singer maintained his learning by training at various locations and by studying appropriate books and videos about Shotokan Karate-Do, especially after the Pearson Dojo disbanded in 1999. In 2004, having heard the dojo was training once more at St. Elizabeth's Church, Sensei Singer joined again. Since that time Sensei Singer has been a member of Shikomu Karate Club, training as much as possible given physical injuries that, while difficult, have been at least partially overcome by his strength of spirit. Sensei Singer contributes to our dojo in many ways, most notable are his understandings of grappling and other close quarters work not always seen in karate-do. Sensei Singer is also a sanctioned Karate Ontario Coach.

Sensei Nikolas O'Connell

Sensei Nikolas O'Connell began training in Shotokan Karate in 2007, in the children's program, lead by Sensei Jennifer Roney, then later by Sensei Miro Jurak and Sensei David Gallois. He graduated to the adult class upon receiving his brown belt. Sensei Nik competed in many Karate Ontario Tournaments with minor success until he reached brown belt level, at which time he was very successful at tournament. Sensei Nikolas received his black belt on July 31st, 2011 from Shihan Kal Helppi and Shihan Bill Carr.

Sensei Sarah (Bobbi) Matteson

Sensei Bobbi Matteson began her training in 2007 in the Shikomu Children's Class led first by Sensei Jen Roney and later Sensei Miro Jurak, Sensei Dave Gallois and Sensei T5. Upon earning her brown belt she moved on to join the Adult Class and continued her training under Shihan Bill Carr, Shihan Kal Helppi and Sensei Sandy Roney. During her karate journey Sensei Bobbi has competed and medaled several times at Karate Ontario tournaments. Sensei Bobbi was awarded her black belt in December 2012 by Shihan Carr and Shihan Helppi of The United Shotokan Karate-Do.

Nikola Kenjic

Sensei Nikola Kenjic began his training in 2005 in the Wado Kai style. He joined the Shikomu karate club in 2008 in the children's club under the tutelage of Shihan Kal Helppi, Shihan Bill Carr and the Children's Class Instructors; Sensei David Gallois, Sensei Jennifer Roney, Sensei T5, and Sensei Miro Jurak. He later graduated from the children's class but continued to train under many of the same instructors. He received his Shodan on May 21st, 2017 from Shihan Kim Dunn and Sensei Tom Okura.