Archive December 22, 2021

On Dec 22, the IKD Shihan Kai Senate, of which Maritime IKD Director, Shihan David Pyke is a member, announced the promotion of IKD Chief Instructor Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai to the rank of 10th Dan. Also promoted were Shihan Dr. W. Dexter Shim and Shihan Maureen Woon-A-Tai to the rank of 9th Dan.

IKD Shihan Kai Senate announce promotion of organization’s directors.

Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai oversaw a grading earlier this month in Moncton virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. His last trip to the region was in June of 2019 to conduct a clinic and grading in Memramcook, New Brunswick. Shihan Frank was a frequent visitor to the Maritimes with at least one trip to the area a year, pre-Covid, to conduct clinics and examinations.

Shihan Dr. W. Dexter Shim visited the Maritimes for a clinic and examinations in the Spring of 2017. Members of our region who competed Internationally or took part in IKD World Camps will be more familiar with Shihan Shim.

Shihan Maureen Woon-A-Tai, wife of Shihan Frank, has also visited the Maritimes on several occassions. Her last visit to the area was in December of 2016 during the 35th Anniversary of the Amherst, Nova Scotia dojo.

The Amherst Shotokan Karate Academy released a special holiday schedule. Please take note of the class times over the next few weeks. Happy Holidays.

The Maritime IKD sends our condolences to the family and friends of Matthew Powers. Matthew and his son, Emmett, recently received their yellow belts.

https://www.albertcountyfh.com/obituaries/158403?fbclid=IwAR3f5uTMLZS-SZA8O_Y7p-D36mBL2Ttd-ZUtsqHdlV9aDvQALCa_L82a3yw

The Maritime IKD is have gradings throughout the region for the following week. Good luck to everyone testing.

On Sunday, November 28, members of the Amherst Shotokan Karate Academy were tested by Shihan David and Shihan Janice Pyke. Congratulations to those that received new Kyu ranks. Also congratulations to those that received new Black Belt levels.

• Sensei Enid Schaller, 3rd Dan
• Wade Abbott, 2nd Dan
• Lance Kaplan, 1st Dan
• Sensei Norm Robitza – 5C National Examiner

On Tuesday, November 30, youth members of the Amherst Shotokan Karate Academy and some members of Sunrise Shotokan Karate club were tested. Congratulations to all those students that were promoted.

On Thursday, December 2, Shihan David and Shihan Janice Pyke travelled to Prince Edward Island to conduct several kyu exams. Congratulations to all those that tested.

• Sensei Roy Stuart – 4D Senior Provincial Examiner

The gradings continued, on Saturday, December 4, when Shihan David and Shihan Janice Pyke were joined virtually by Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai to conduct gradings in Riverview, New Brunswick. Congratulations to the new kyu ranks and to the new Black belts.

• Sensei Isabelle Bordage – 6th Dan
• Sensei Tony Fahey – 6th Dan
• Praem Tran Quang – 2nd Dan
• Sensei Duane Leblanc – 1st Dan
• Mireille Roy – 1st Dan

On Sunday, December 5, Sensei Norm Robitza conducted the final grading of 2021, when he tested his students. Congratulations to everyone that tested in Sackville, New Brunswick.

The Sackville Shotokan Karate club has a new schedule at Mount Allison for the Fall.

Classes are offered:

• Wednesday evenings from 6-6:50pm and 7-8pm.
• Sunday afternoon from 12-12:50pm and 1-2pm.

On September 24th, PEI Shotokan Karate Daigaku will be adding a new location. Sensei Roy Stewart will be starting a new club on Saturday mornings at Mount Stewart Consolidated School, 120 Main Street, Mount Stewart.

Classes will be for ages 6 & up and will run from 9am-10am.

The cost for classes will be $15 per month.

The Charlottetown dojo will remain open with a slightly different schedule.

Tuesday and Thursday:

• 5:50pm-6:40pm – white-orange belts
• 6:50-7:40pm – white to purple belts
• 7:45-8:45 – brown belts and above as well as any adult beginners

Saturday will remain the same with only the Practical Karate/Self Defence class time adjusting to 10:45am-12pm.

Riverview East Karate was voted the Best Martial Arts Club in Moncton, New Brunswick. To celebrate they held an Ice Cream Party for their students.