I study a hardstyle martial art called Zen Karate Do. It's a blended form started by Canadian Sensei Olaf Simon in the 1950's and incorporates Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing and other martial arts to lesser degrees. Together they all create a very modern approach to self defense, fitness, discipline and competition. The variety also makes it very well rounded, practical and fun.

I study under a 4th degree blackbelt named Lyle Cheney. http://www.cheneykarate.com/
He has an affiliate school in Lacombe http://www.lacombekarateandkickboxing.com/
And is also part of http://www.scheersmartialarts.com/

Ray Park, is a Wushu martial artist introduced me to the the sport.  I want to thank him for that.  I have never enjoyed a hobby more than this! I regret not taking an interest a long time ago when I could have really used the confidence. 

I did meet Ray in 2003 and thanked him personally for sparking my interest. I got his autograph and chatted with him, he is a really nice guy!  In 2004 I met him again (whoa, he actually remembered me) and we posed for a photo with one of the first trophies I ever won in a tournament.  Ray has remembered and been nice to me ever since.

About My Studies

I started training in August 1999 and through obsessiveness made it to a green belt level by December 2000. I trained about 4 days a week and took some private lessons. I also competed in several tournaments with great success.

While I was a yellow belt, I earned 7 trophies in 7 events at 4 tournaments.

I moved to the Atlanta Georgia in December of 2000 and thought I would find a good school there. Boy was I wrong. In the entire time I lived there, I found 3 schools that seemed to take their art seriously while the rest were just yuppy daycare belt factories. I wasn't able to attend any of the good schools for one reason or another so I took up weight lifting and cardio to fill the void. I finally moved back to Canada in 2008 and went back to my original Dojo. I have no plans on moving this time.

Karate Tournaments

Victory Martial Arts Tournament Calgary 2000 (3rd sparring, 3rd Kata)
Arashi Do Karate Tournament Calgary 2000 (1st Kata, 2nd Sparring)
GingWu Tournament Edmonton 2000 (3rd Kata, didn't enter sparring)
Western Canadian Karate Championships Red Deer 2000 (1st Kata, 3rd Sparring)