Ryan began his study of Shotokan Karate as a teenager and has practiced continuously for over 40 years. He spent one year training at prestigious Waseda University in Tokyo, and regularly travels to California to practice with Sensei Tsutomu Ohshima, who was a direct student of Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate. Ryan has traveled extensively to practice in Japan, Europe and throughout North America. Ryan was an assistant instructor at UBC for many years, then led a dojo in Montreal for several years before returning to Vancouver in 2007. Ryan has instructed hundreds of students over the years, emphasizing not only the physical fitness and self-defense benefits of karate, but also the development of humility, self-discipline, and a strong mentality.
Qualifications: Ryan was promoted by Tsutomu Ohshima to the rank of Godan (5th dan) in 2014. Godan is the top rank in Canada Shotokan Karate, as it was the highest rank awarded by Master Funakoshi.
Programs Taught - Summer 2025 Shotokan Karate Mondays & Wednesdays 7:30-8:55PM
Raymond Fujino has been practicing karate since 1976. Fujino Sensei received the rank of Godan (5th dan) at an international senior black belt examination at Perth, Australia in 2001. He was then awarded Shihan – Renshi status at the 2003 IKGA Canada Annual Training Camp/International Seminar. Fujino Sensei was recently awarded his Rokudan (6th dan) from Goju Ryu Karate Do Seiwakai in 2022.
Programs Taught - Summer 2025 Nihon Goju Karate Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:30 PM - 7:55PM Sundays 11:30AM -1:25 PM
Rafael is a 2nd-degree IBJJF Black Belt in under UFC/PRIDE FC/TUF fighter Cristiano Marcello. He has accumulated almost 20 years of training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, including extensive Mixed Martial Arts training in Curitiba, Brazil, where he trained with several MMA fighting legends. He is also an IBJJF-certified judge and referee, acting in multiple local and international tournaments such as the ADCC Open. Rafael’s teaching style reflects a deep love for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, community, and supporting his students.
Programs Taught - Summer 2025 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30 PM - 5:25 PM
Ken began training with the UBC Judo Club in 1995 and has been instructing with UBC Judo for the past 10 years. During his time at UBC he has also had the opportunity to train with other martial arts clubs including the former UBC Arnis Club and former UBC Sambo club.
He believes that Judo is taught as both a sport and a martial art. The UBC Judo club focuses equally on the various aspects of judo. As a sport, it is a fun and high-intensity activity, which develops overall strength and endurance.
Qualifications
- 2nd Degree Black Belt
- NCCP Level 2 Certified Instructor (National Coaching Certification Program)
Programs Taught - Summer 2025 Judo Mondays & Wednesdays 7:30 PM - 8:55 PM
Teaching younger generations ’How Not to Fight’ with training how to use the sword most effectively
Qualifications
- Roku-Dan (6th Degree) of Iaido at All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR)
- Nana-Dan (7th Degree), Kyoshi
- Hachi-dan (8th Degree)
- Officially certified instructor at World MJER Iaido Federation (Iaido Kokusai Renmei)
- Has taught Iaido with UBC Recreation for over 35 years and was also an instructor of Shorinji Kempo with UBC Recreation for a few years before starting to teach Iaido.
Programs Taught - Summer 2025 Iaido Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:30 PM - 7:55 PM Saturdays 9:30 AM - 11:25 AM
Eric has been training martial arts for over 20 years with a focus in striking martial arts starting with Kyokushin Karate and currently training in mixed martial arts under former UFC fighter Kajan Johnson. Eric has competed in multiple competitions throughout his martial arts career and is still actively competing. He enjoys teaching at all skill levels with an emphasis on fundamentals, defense, and tactics. Eric looks forward to helping his students achieve whatever goals they may have in their martial arts journey.
Programs Taught - Summer 2025 Kickboxing Tuesdays 5:30 PM - 6:25 PM Intermediate Kickboxing Tuesdays 6:30 PM - 7:25 PM
Brandon brings over five years of boxing experience and three years of Muay Thai training to his role as a kickboxing instructor. Previously an exhibition fighter and boxing instructor at UBC Boxing, Brandon is passionate about helping beginners develop foundational skills and confidence. A former teaching assistant and UBC Yoga Club president, he enjoys creating fun supportive learning environments. Brandon also served in the Singapore Armed Forces, Medical Corps.
Programs Taught - Summer 2025 Kickboxing Mondays 4:00 PM - 4:55 PM
Alex is a direct student of Ono Yōtarō-sensei of the Chōfūkan Dōjō in Kyōto, Japan, who is the 16th lineal headmaster of the Bitchū-den linegage of Takenouchi-ryū Bu-jutsu, one of Japan’s oldest and most respected martial traditions. Takenouchi-ryū is recognized by historians as the first school of jū-jutsu. Alex is the highest ranked teacher of Takenouchi-ryū in Canada. He is ranked as a Toritate Shihan by Ono-sensei (associate master) by Ono-sensei. He regularly hosts seminars by teachers from Japan as well as leading trips to Japan for direct training with the masters of this art.
Alex commenced his martial training in 1976 and in the decades that have followed studied a number of disciplines from various countries before having the opportunity to learn the classical Japanese martial arts while living in Japan in the 1990s. He holds black belts and licences in four different martial arts. After decades of such varied training, he came to appreciate the comprehensive subject matter of Takenouchi- ryū, the dynamic combative effectiveness it has maintained for five centuries, and the transformative potential it holds for its students. Alex has been an instructor for the UBC Sports and Recreation Program since 1997 during which time he has taught literally hundreds of students the classical martial arts. During that time, he has developed methods for how to best leverage their inherent abilities/attributes and realize their potential. He has been pleased to see over the years the multi-fold ways in which the training has benefited students from a variety of backgrounds.
Alex is the author of five publications on the Japanese language, has written for Black Belt magazine, and is a recognized expert on Japanese martial culture.
Qualifications
- Toritate Shihan by Ono-sensei Associate Master’s Licence, Bitchū-den Takenouchi-ryū Bu-jutsu
- Daigeiko Teacher’s Licence,Bitchū-den Takenouchi-ryū Bu-jutsu
- Shoden Teacher’s Licence, Tenjin-Shin’yō-ryū Jū-jutsu
- Shodan Daitō – ryū Aiki Jū-jutsu Jū-jutsu
Programs Taught - Summer 2025 Classical Ju Jutsu Mondays & Wednesdays 6:00 PM - 7:25 PM Saturdays 11:00 AM - 12:25 PM