High-caliber teams.

Traditional karate Team

Kaicho Earl Robertson

Yoshukan was developed by Kaicho Earl Robertson. Kaicho Robertson has over a half century of study and teaching experience.

He has studied in Japan under Hanshi Masaru Inomoto (Founder of Jikkishin Ryu), O-Sensei Tsuyoshi Chitose and Soke Yasuhiro Chitose (Grand Masters of Chito Ryu Karate-do), Hanshi Shane Higashi (Chief Instructor of Canadian Chito Ryu), Sensei Mike Litwinczuk, the original RCMP self-defence instructor, Sensei Paul Brown (Kodokan Judo), Kaicho Mike Foster (Founder of the Yoshukai International Karate Association), Hanshi Devorah Dometrich (Ryu Kyu Kobudo Hozoin Shinkokai) and Sensei Yukio (Fred) Okimura (Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido).

Kaicho Robertson holds a Hachi-dan (8^th Dan) Black Belt and Hanshi (‘Exemplary Teacher’) from the Yoshukan Karate Association. Sensei also holds a 7^th Dan and Kyoshi Licence (‘Teacher of Teachers’) in Jikkishin Ryu from Hanshi Masaru Inomoto and a 6^th Dan, Shihan Licence in Yoshukai International Karate from Hanshi Mike Foster. Sensei also received a 5^th Dan from the National Karate Association under Hanshi Masami Tsuruoka. Sensei Robertson received his 4^th Dan and Shidoin (Senior Instructor) Licence in Chito Ryu Karate under Soke Tsuyoshi Chitose and Hanshi Shane Higashi. Kaicho Robertson also holds ranks in Kodokan Judo (1^st Kyu), Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido (1^st Dan) and a 5^th Dan in Ryu Kyu Kobudo under Hanshi Devorah Dometrich of the Ryu Kyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai.

Kaicho Robertson was previously 1^st Vice President of the Karate Association of Ontario (KO) and Vice-Chairman of the Karate Ontario Technical Committee. Kaicho created the digital library of Yoshukan waza, authored ADVANCED KUMITE and was host/creator of the national COMMUNITY SELF DEFENCE television series. He has contributed/written technical manuals for the Chito Ryu, Yoshukai and Yoshukan Karate associations. In 2019, Kaicho Robertson was inducted into the Canadian Karate Association Black Belt Hall of Fame.

Kaicho has studied Boxing; Greco-Roman Wrestling; Aikido; Kali and various other systems of karate over his 50+ years of martial arts study. A former top competitor (Kumite & Kata), Kaicho believes the true goal of martial arts training is the pursuit of character development.

8e Dan et titre Hanshi pour Kancho Robertson

Kancho Louise Provencher

Passionate about karate since the fall of 1980, driven by the development of young and old attracted and committed to martial arts, Kancho Provencher is deeply touched to have seen many karatekas from all backgrounds grow and progress for almost 45 years. It is indeed a rare privilege to feel the complicit trust that karatekas grant their master.

As fierce on the tatami as she is in the ring, Kancho Provencher was crowned Chito-ryu World Champion in 1995 and Canadian Boxing Champion that same year. In 2001, she made history by winning the first-ever professional women’s boxing match in Quebec.

After serving as the coach for the National Women’s Boxing Team (2003–2006) and a provincial and national karate coach for nearly 20 years, she now channels her competitive spirit into her athletes. Under her guidance at the Montreal Sports Academy, her students continue to excel on both local and international stages.

Her lifelong dedication to the sport has earned her prestigious honors:

2014: Recipient of the Prix Dollard-Morin, a government volunteer recognition award presented by the Quebec Minister of Recreation and Sports.
2019: Inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame by the members of the Canadian Karate Association.

Kancho Provencher is deeply grateful to her Sensei, Earl Robertson, and takes immense pride in the students who have propelled her to the WKF world stage. She sincerely believes that we are all “champions for life!”

Ultimately, she is driven by an insatiable desire to excel and to continuously grow in everything she undertakes. It is this very passion that she constantly seeks to instill in all her students and collaborators.

“The only constant in life is change.”

Renshi Rob Kalinowicz

Renshi Kalinowicz’s karate journey began in 1982—a path that has led him to train under renowned masters and teach students of all ages and levels.

His passion for karate has fueled a lifelong fascination with movement, biomechanics, precision, and the economy of motion. To deepen his knowledge, Renshi Kalinowicz became a certified personal trainer at his local YMCA, where he quickly saw room for improvement in the existing curriculum. Driven to elevate the program, he redesigned it, and his version was adopted as the official Canadian YMCA Fitness Instructor Training Course, which he proudly taught for over two decades.

In 1999, Renshi Kalinowicz joined the NDG Karate Club and found a new home in Yoshukan Karate. The club’s comprehensive curriculum allowed him to refine his skills and focus intently on the technical aspects of his practice. Renshi Kalinowicz devoted extensive effort to mastering and internalizing Bunkai applications, establishing himself as Yoshukan’s go-to expert in this area. His passion for martial arts also led him to explore kobudo, through which he has achieved proficiency with many of Okinawa’s traditional weapons.

Teaching has always been Renshi Kalinowicz’s calling. He is deeply committed to helping students progress, develop physical skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential. With each class, he strives to share his passion and knowledge, guiding students along their unique karate journeys. Renshi Kalinowicz looks forward to many more years of advancing his own martial skills and mentoring others in theirs.

Shihan Zeljko Violoni

Shihan Zeljko Violoni’s journey into martial arts began later in life, at the age of 38, but his passion for karate was immediate and enduring.

Alongside karate, he developed a deep interest in Kobudō (achieving the rank of Sho Dan) and Iaidō, broadening his knowledge and skill in traditional martial arts.

From his early days as a Green Belt, Shihan Violoni was actively involved in supporting Senseis with instruction, and he naturally transitioned into a leadership role after Kancho Robertson stepped back from active duties at the Honbu Dojo. He took on the responsibility of coaching and guiding competitors at local tournaments, a role he upheld until the dojo’s closure in 2018.

While his expertise spans Bunkai and Kumite, his recent focus is on understanding and mastering the flow of Ki (or Chi) through meditation and heightened internal control. This ongoing journey reflects his commitment to the organization’s motto of continuous improvement in all aspects of life—a philosophy he strives to embody and share with others each day.

Shihan Charles Meyer

Shihan Charles Mayer first became interested in martial arts as a teenager, practicing Chito-Ryu style karate at the Park Avenue YMCA in Montreal. In 2001, he returned to the mats at the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce YMCA, this time dedicating himself to the Yoshukan style.

His interest quickly evolved into a true passion as he explored every facet of karate and Kobudō (Ryu Kyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai style). Following his promotion to Yon Dan in 2019, he seized the opportunity that same year to travel to Okinawa.

During his stay in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate, he delved into the fascinating history and origins of this ancient martial art, discovering its immense depth and richness. By training in traditional dojos, meeting dedicated masters, and witnessing powerful demonstrations, he gained a profound understanding of karate’s cultural and philosophical roots, as well as its core values: respect, perseverance, and discipline. This journey has since become an almost annual tradition for him.

Always seeking to broaden his martial horizons, Shihan Mayer also practices Aikibudo and Katori Shinto-ryu Kenjutsu.

“Empty your cup.” — Bruce Lee

Shihan Omer Gojak

Originally from Subotica, Serbia, Shihan Gojak was introduced to martial arts at a young age. He began his journey in Judo at the Spartak Judo Club, where he competed at the provincial level and earned his brown belt.

In the 1990s, seeking a brighter future during the Yugoslav Wars, the Gojak family moved to Canada and settled in Mississauga in 1994. Seeking a fresh start, Shihan Gojak and his eight-year-old daughter, Alisa, joined the Shin Bu Kan Judo Club to study under Sensei Goki Uemura. However, when Judo failed to captivate Alisa as it had her father, the duo decided to explore a new path. They transitioned to Yoshukan (then Yoshukai) Karate, studying under Kaicho Earl Robertson (then Sensei).

Karate soon became more than just a sport for the Gojak family; it became a lifestyle. Shihan Gojak takes great pride in his 15 years of teaching Yoshukan Karate, instilling in his students a firm belief in hard work, the importance of strong foundations, and the mastery of all aspects of karate—including kumite, kata, and bunkai. He looks forward to sharing his knowledge with the next generation, believing that teaching is the ultimate way to continue one’s own journey of learning.

Shihan Mattheus Bauernberger

Shihan Bauernberger’s journey as a budoka began in 1990 at a local Shotokan karate club in Linz, Austria. Over the decades, his dedication to martial arts and its underlying philosophy has deeply shaped both his personal and professional life.

After immigrating to Canada in 2005, Shihan Bauernberger joined the prestigious Yoshukan family four years later, further refining his skills under the guidance of world-renowned instructors. His training in traditional karate and its practical applications in self-defense led him to seamlessly integrate the principles of discipline, focus, and mindfulness into his daily life.

Beyond his martial path, Shihan Bauernberger led a successful career in cabinetry before transitioning to the aviation industry in 2006. Specializing in high-end furniture manufacturing for private jets, he built an outstanding reputation for craftsmanship. Over the past 20 years, he has moved into leadership and management roles, where he applies the same precision, focus, and commitment to continuous improvement (Kaizen) that guide his martial arts practice.

Today, Shihan Bauernberger combines his martial expertise and management experience to design and lead unique workshops through Zanshin Leadership. These sessions help participants—with or without prior martial arts experience—transpose dojo principles such as mindfulness, leadership, and resilience into their daily lives, fostering both personal and professional growth.

If Shihan Bauernberger’s essence could be distilled into two values, they would be Zanshin (remaining mind/awareness) and Kokoro (heart, mind, and soul). These principles are not confined to the tatami; they define the holistic approach he takes in every sphere of his life.

Sensei Miki Nishida

Sensei Miki Nishida is a 4th Dan in Yoshukan Karate-do, a brown belt in Judo, and an Aikido practitioner, with over two decades of dedication to Japanese martial arts.

Sensei Nishida began her karate training in 2002 under Kancho Louise Provencher, specializing in both practical karate and self-defense. She is also a certified self-defense instructor with Judo Canada.

Sensei Nishida has participated in numerous budō seminars in Japan, Canada, and the USA, learning directly from esteemed masters and top athletes. Her deep understanding of movement is enriched by her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University, giving her a unique perspective on body mechanics, posture, and expression.

Often referred to as a “budō Ambassador”, Sensei Nishida serves as an interpreter for Japanese budō masters and athletes in English and French. Her interpretation is not a literal translation alone — she conveys the intent and subtlety of each movement, informed by both her martial arts expertise and her background in dance.

Through her teaching, interpretation, and cross-cultural work, Sensei Nishida preserves and shares the spirit of traditional budō while making it accessible and relevant in the modern world.

“All the world’s a stage.” — Shakespeare

“When one door closes, another opens.”

Sensei Simon Mercier Nguyen

Biographie à venir…

à venir…

Sempai Samy Ziani

Sempai Samy Ziani began his karate journey at the age of 10 in Yoshukan, where he very quickly found a passion for competition, particularly in kumite (combat).

For several years, he participated in the Quebec team selections and competed for 3 years with the provincial team.

Sempai Samy now devotes part of his time to teaching, where he shares his love for the martial art with karatekas of all levels, from beginner to advanced. Alongside his role as an instructor, he pursues his own improvement in kumite within the elite combat team.

“Let go of what you can’t control; focus only on what you can change.” — Louise Provencher

Sempai Aida Roy van Mierlo

Sempai Aida Roy van Mierlo has been practicing karate since the age of 7.

Passionate about kumite, she competed with the provincial karate team for 10 years and the national team for 3 years.

You will most often find her teaching parent-child and beginner classes, where she shares her love for karate with students of all ages. She also continues to hone her skills by training with the competition team.

“Never forget, he who thinks he knows, no longer learns.” — Pierre Bottero, Ellana: Le Pacte des Marchombres (Free translation)

Competition Team

Kancho Louise Provencher

Her lifelong dedication to the sport has earned her prestigious honors:

2014: Recipient of the Prix Dollard-Morin, a government volunteer recognition award presented by the Quebec Minister of Recreation and Sports.
2019: Inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame by the members of the Canadian Karate Association.

“The only constant in life is change.”

Sensei Guy Viau

Biographie à venir…

À venir…

Sensei Marianne Boulé

1st Dan Black Belt | High-Performance Coach

Driven by a passion for karate that began in 1999, Sensei Marianne Boulé embodies excellence and perseverance.

An elite international athlete for a decade, she proudly represented Quebec and Canada from 2008 to 2018. Her record is impressive: two-time Canadian Champion in the -68kg category, Pan-American Champion (Chile), and a multiple-time bronze medalist at the Pan-American Championships.

Today, Sensei Marianne Boulé puts her vast technical expertise at the service of the next generation. A Nationally Certified Coach (NCCP), she plays a pivotal role in the development of karate across the country. In addition to her work at Yoshukan Karate-do (Académie Sportive de Montréal), she holds strategic positions as a coach for the Quebec provincial team and the National Development Team (Karate Canada).

Recognized for her leadership, she was selected for the Canada Games 2023 Women in Coaching Apprenticeship Program and is actively involved as a resource person for training future instructors. Transmitting far more than just combat techniques, Sensei Marianne Boulé inspires her students through her discipline, her experience in major championships, and her dedication to the growth of every karateka.

Sensei Patrice Boily Martineau

Biographie à venir…

À venir…

Nos assistant·es

Sempai Zia

I have been practicing karate since I was 9 years old. Despite this, I feel like I am learning something new every time I step into the dojo. This sense of constant progression, which transcends age, is precisely what makes karate so fascinating.

Sempai Sophie

What has driven me through all these years of practice is the feeling, as soon as I step into the dojo, that nothing matters anymore except the present moment.

“Simplicity is the key to true greatness.” — Bruce Lee

“Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is essentially your own.” — Bruce Lee

Sempai Dominique

Le karaté, c’est mon île, un refuge qui m’aide à traverser les vicissitudes de la vie.

“Be Strong. Be Gentle. Be Beautiful.” — Keiko Fukuda

Sempai Acori

à venir…

Sempai Yazid

à venir…

Sempai Mélody

La compétition m’a révélé une facette de moi que je ne connaissais pas : sur le tatami, je me sens à ma place, en accord avec moi-même. Cet environnement nourrit ma motivation, me pousse à me dépasser et à viser toujours plus haut.

“God planted a dream in your heart for a reason. No one else can dream it for you. No one else will accomplish it for you.” — Joel Osteen

“I never lose. I either win or learn.” — Nelson Mandela

Sempai Iman

à venir…

Sempai Louis

à venir…