Shintani Wado Kai Senate The Senate is the governing body for the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation. Prior to the death of Hanshi Shintani, the organization was primarily directed by Hanshi Shintani himself with the assistance of the senate. The senate consists of senior ranking members initially appointed by Hanshi Shintani. The Senate held its inaugural meeting on November 1, 1997 in Toronto. At that time Hanshi Shintani signed the new constitution and named Sensei Denis Labbé his successor. Sensei Denis Labbé now heads the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation assisted by the Senate members. Denis Labbé - Kudan (9th Dan) President "Sensei Shintani's influence, changed my life. His impact on me not only benefitted me physically, it helped develop my confidence and to overcome my shyness as a young student to take on a leadership role. Sensei has taught me honor, humility, loyalty, compassion and commitment. In return I dedicate my life to Sensei Shintani and to his organization." - Sensei Denis Labbé More Neil Prime - Hachidan (8th Dan) Director "Other than my own father, Sensei Shintani has been the most influential man in my life." - Sensei Neil Prime More Shelley McGregor - Shichidan (7th Dan) Director "One of the things I remember most of Sensei Shintani visits was how kind and respectful he was to everyone. He always spoke so highly of Otsuka Sensei with admiration, loyalty, fondness and respect. He expressed that his teachings were that of Otsuka Sensei and it was his legacy he was preserving in his teachings. As SWKKF members we must do the same and maintain Sensei Shintani’s legacy. We can do this by keeping his spirit alive through our teachings and demonstration of good character." - Sensei Shelley McGregor More Bruce Perkins - Kudan (9th Dan) Senate Advisor “Karate becomes who you are and how you live your life – you cannot be a good black belt on the floor and change the minute you leave the dojo. A good black belt stands for so many things that are not related to the dojo” – Sensei Bruce Perkins More Danny McCoy - Kudan (9th Dan) Senate Advisor "Sensei Shintani has given me clear direction and instruction which has given me the ability to reach and continue to develop karate the way Mr. Shintani would like." - Sensei Danny McCoy More Ron Mattie - Kudan (9th Dan) Chief Instructor "When you come to a difficult time in your life and have to decide how to deal with it, put yourself 20 years from now and look back at this moment, then ask yourself "how do I wish I had dealt with it then" " - Sensei Ron Mattie More Michel Gosselin - Shichidan (7th Dan) Director "I am so grateful to have met Sensei Shintani and to be a part of what he has created. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that an organization like the SWKKF existed. All across this country we find passionate people who continue to teach Sensei’s important lessons of kindness, humility and respect, through the practice of karate." - Sensei Michel Gosselin More Brian Julien - Godan (5th Dan) Director “I was lucky enough to train with Sensei Shintani in my early formative karate years. I was always amazed that such a quiet, unassuming gentleman could demonstrate his techniques with such explosive speed and power, only to transform back into his humble self moments after the demonstration. It truly was inspirational.” More Brad Cosby - Kudan (9th Dan) Senate Advisor "Sensei Shintani never looked at karate as a "that's all there is, it's a static art", it was always evolving, changing for the better." Sensei Brad Cosby More Brian Chmay - Hachidan (8th Dan). Senate Advisor "I was very fortunate to train directly under Sensei Shintani. He inspired us not so much by his words but of his presence on the dojo. However, one of his quotes I that I will always remember is "You are not finished when you lose, you are finished when you quit." As a young Shodan, I felt that this statement was very important to help me become a better black belt, to strive harder, give your best effort in everything you do and to persevere. Now I realize it was meant as a guide in how to live your life and become the best person you could be. This is a philosophy I like to instill into all of my students." - Sensei Brian Chmay More Jim Atkinson - Hachidan (8th Dan) Vice President & Secretary "Mr. Shintani touched my life the moment I met him with his kindness & gentleness. When I seen him perform I was amazed and will be forever grateful to have his influence in my life." - Sensei Jim Atkinson More Darren Humphries - Shichidan (7th Dan) Director "Sensei Shintani and his senior students have influenced my life since I started Shintani Wado Kai. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from Sensei Shintani during his spring and fall visits to the prairies. His presence in the dojo was unbelievable. When you watched him demonstrate techniques, his power and explosiveness was incredible. In the evenings he captivated everyone by telling stories about his life. Sensei built an amazing organization and I so proud and humbled to be part of it." - Sensei Darren Humphries More Kris Reynolds - Shichidan (7th Dan) Director “I remember as a teenager when Hanshi Shintani would attend tournaments, you could feel the whole room change when he walked in. He commanded such an enormous presence while at the same time a total kind and quiet demeanor. Even at my young age, it was easy to recognize that he had a true confidence derived from competence without ego, a precious and rare quality. We are so lucky that quality is prominent in so many of his direct students in the SWKKF.” More Rick Leveille - Kudan (9th Dan) Senate Advisor "The honesty and integrity Sensei Shintani taught me is the true strength of Wado Karate and are virtues that I live by everyday". Sensei Rick Leveille More Heather Fidyk - Shichidan (7th Dan) Former Senate Member "Sensei Shintani was an incredible inspiration to me and so many others. He served to ever increase his knowledge of Karate but most of all to share his gift of Karate with those who aspired to have it. Sensei Shintani holds a special place in my dedication to the Shintani Karate Federation and the continued development of the amazing organization he created." - Sensei Heather Fidyk More

Shintani News List Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation Senate is pleased to announce the 6th Dan ranking advancement for Senseis Reynolds, Hynes and Fast. Jul 25, 2025 Continue Reading With great pride, the SWKKF Senate and membership would like to congratulate Sensei Ron Mattie, for being inducted into the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame. Nov 2, 2024 Continue Reading Shindo Photos from National Memorial Tournament held on May 25, 2025. May 25, 2025 Continue Reading How every purchase you make from Hatashita can help fund the Shintani Wado-Kai Karate Federation. Jun 1, 2025 Continue Reading It is with sincere sadness we announce the passing of Sensei Jeff Gervin on March 10, 2025. He held the rank of 7th Dan and was a long time dedicated member of the SWKKF. Mar 10, 2025 Continue Reading We would like to thank all that have generously donated to this year's Logger Family Memorial Fund. This is an amazing tribute to Chris, Wendy & Brittany. Jun 2, 2025 Continue Reading SWKKF 2025 Scholarship Awards Announced Jul 25, 2025 Continue Reading Congratulations to Sensei Neil Prime for being inducted into the Cleveland Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Apr 5, 2025 Continue Reading The SWKKF Senate announce the Dan ranking advancement of Sensei McGregor and Sensei Freeman to Shichidan (7th Dan). Jan 20, 2025 Continue Reading 2025 Reach Award recipients announced at Shintani Annual Memorial Tournament on 24 May 2025 May 24, 2024 Continue Reading The Sensei Jeff Gervin Memorial Fund offers grants of up to $200.00 to support SWKKF students seeking to deepen their martial arts training. Mar 10, 2025 Continue Reading

From the Beginning (our past) This section is dedicated to the memories of past members of the SWKKF that helped form the organization into what it is today. Although they are no longer with us physically, their contributions live on and their spirit is part of the fabric that forms the SWKKF as it is today. In order to be eligible for this section, the member must have been registered and a member in good standing at the time of their passing. coming soon Comments Masaru Shintani Feb 3, 1928 May 7, 2000 Comments Peter Ciolfi Feb 3, 1950 Mar 20, 1997 Comments Chris Logger Dec 21, 1952 Dec 22, 2022 Comments Peter Ruch Jul 13, 2022 Comments Dominic Morabito Comments Roland Day Comments Robert Trahan Comments Dan Bracconier Sep 6, 1956 Sep 3, 2013 Comments June Lebrun Jun 4, 1950 Mar 16, 2013 Comments Gord Vermette Oct 27, 2009 Comments Eve Hobbs Comments Roy Jaworski Comments Ed Poulin Aug 3, 1951 Jul 5, 2024 Comments Jeff Gervin Sep 21, 1968 Mar 10, 2025 Comments Stan Martin Jan 2, 1950 Jun 2, 2026

< Back Support the SWKKF Every Time You Shop at the Hatashita Store! How every purchase you make from Hatashita can help fund the Shintani Wado-Kai Karate Federation. https://811184d5-cd1f-4953-859e-95ef22fe2c82.usrfiles.com/ugd/811184_7df2e167529e44f194a1008ceaec8df6.pdf Previous Continue Reading Next

(705) 931-3400 < Back Crooked Hill Wado Kai Karate Sensei Sanford DeWitt (705) 931-3400 sensei_sanford@hotmail.com Address 3441 Albert's Alley, Cobourg, ON K9A 4J7, Canada Canborne, ON Canada Practice Times Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

< Back Kris Reynolds - Shichidan (7th Dan) Director Sensei Kris Reynolds started karate in Lindsay, Ontario in 1995 under Sensei Darren Marshall (a student Sensei Ron White, a student of Hanshi Rick Levielle). He was graded to Shodan in 2001, and received his Rokudan (6th Dan) in 2025. Sensei Reynolds was graded to a Sichidan (7th Dan) in Shindo in May of 2026, and has a Yodan from the World Traditional Karate Association. As a blue belt, he met his wife Sarah, with whom he has raised 2 sons in Lindsay, Ontario (Thomas & Ryker), the eldest of which shares Kris’s interest Karate. Sarah has supported him pursuing his passion for karate for over 25 years. In 2004 Sensei Reynolds competed alongside Sensei Sanford Dewitt at the World Koshiki Championships (a bare knuckle full contact karate competition), which was part of the 2004 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal for team Canada in the heavyweight category. From 2006 to 2012 he was the manager, and in 2012 became the Heavyweight fighter for the Shintani National Karate Team. In 2005, Sensei Reynolds took over as chief instructor of the Lindsay Wado Kai dojo where he had started karate 10 years earlier. In 2014, he started Karate Kawartha Lakes, a non-profit association which in 2018 included 6 dojos between the Kawartha's and Ottawa. He has assisted on many national committees including as chair of the Bunkai committee and chair of the Shindo committee for the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation. In 2015 Sensei Reynolds created Gensho Shodan no Shindo, a Shindo kata which has been adopted by the S.W.K.K.F. as the official 5th dan Shindo grading kata. Sensei Reynolds is enormously grateful for the significant positive impact that the SWKKF and many of the original senate members had on his life and hopes he can pay that impact forward to the young karate-ka he meets. kreynolds@shintani.ca +1 (705) 928-3400

< Back Heather Fidyk - Shichidan (7th Dan) Former Senate Member Sensei Heather began her karate career through the University of Alberta Wado Kai club in 1986 earning her Shodan in 1990. In 2007 she earned the rank of Godan (5th dan) under the tutelage of Sensei Ron Mattie. Subsequently, she earned her rank of Rokudan (6th) rank August 2013, and Shichidan (7th) rank December 2020 from the SWKKF Senate. From 1992 to 1993, Sensei Heather lived and worked in Japan with her husband Sensei Darren Fidyk, Godan, where they trained and competed in Wado Ryu under the instruction of Sensei Endo. They continued their international training as Wado Ryu guests in Brazil in 1998 and in Japan in 2000 accompanied by Sensei Ron Mattie and Sensei Darren Humphries. Sensei Heather was a member of the SWKKF National team from 2002-2006. During this time she competed throughout Canada, in the US and Morocco. She maintains her involvement with the SWKKF National Team taking on the role of assistant coach from 2010 to present and even competed with the National Team in Italy in 2011. Sensei Heather has played a large role in the growth and development of Wado Kai karate in Alberta. She founded the St. Albert Wado Kai club, ran the Edmonton Riverbend Wado Kai club, and in 1994 co-founded the South Calgary Wado Kai Karate club with Sensei Darren Fidyk. Currently she is the head instructor and treasurer of the South Calgary Wado Kai Karate Club. The club is about 150 -200 members and hosts one of the SWKKF’s largest tournaments annually in March. She trained Shindo beginning as a blue belt with Hanshi Shintani and today the club participates in the SWKKF Shindo program with both an adult and youth component. As a new member of the SWKKF senate she brings with her a western perspective, a female view, knowledge of being a board member, running a nonprofit organization, and an international understanding.

< Back Sensei Neil Prime Inducted into the Cleveland Martial Arts Hall of Fame Congratulations to Sensei Neil Prime for being inducted into the Cleveland Martial Arts Hall of Fame. https://811184d5-cd1f-4953-859e-95ef22fe2c82.usrfiles.com/ugd/811184_83def4e245f14b7dbb23acee0e22ad10.pdf Previous Continue Reading Next

(705) 297-0753 < Back Prince Township Wado Kai Sensei Duane Wenmann (705) 297-0753 wenmannssm@gmail.com Address 3042 Second Line West, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada Sault Ste Marie, ON , Canada P6A 6K4 Practice Times Wednesday - 7:00-9:00 pm (Eastern Daylight) Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

SWKKF COMMITTEES Marketing & Communications This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Lire la suite Operations Lire la suite Proficiency This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Lire la suite Student Proficiency Bunkai Lire la suite Student Proficiency Self-Defense Lire la suite Student Proficiency Kumite Lire la suite Student Proficiency Kata Lire la suite Student Proficiency Shindo Lire la suite Student Proficiency Shintani Kata Lire la suite Visibility Lire la suite

(479) 531-7280 < Back NWA Wado Kai Karate Club Sensei Joanne Johnson (479) 531-7280 nwawadokai@gmail.com Address 4911 West Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, AR, USA Rogers, AR, USA 72758 Practice Times Thursday all students - 6-8 pm (Central Daylight Time) Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next