After leaving a commercial dojo because of ethical differences Sensei Ken Trebilcock founds Budokan Karate dojo at his country residence in Brantford, Ontario. As Sensei Trebilcock was the senior many of the senior students from that commercial dojo followed asking to train at Budokan Karate. Some are still training at BKD.
1992: Wandering on the path
After checking out other regional organizations Sensei Trebilcock hears about and investigates Meibukan Goju. Liking what he sees he starts learning the forms and teaching these forms. Plans trip to Okinawa to meet the Master himself.
1993: First Trip to Okinawa
August 1993, training at the Hombu dojo with the Yagi family Sensei Trebilcock is awe struck by the whole experience. Sensei is rooted in Meibukan and the teaching of Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi and his eldest son Master Meitatsu Yagi.
1995: Second three week trip to Okinawa
Having the honour of training with Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi on a daily basis and somedays twice. Dai Sensei had Se
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INSTRUCTORS
Renshi Mark Matthews (Head Instructor) 7th Degree Black Belt
Introduced to martial arts as a youth in 1984 by Sensei Terry Cole (Eden Mills, Ontario), student of Quai Wong (6th Degree Black Belt, Toronto). Quai Wong was responsible for introducing Shorin Ryu Karate to Canada.
Sensei Matthews relocated to the village of Elora in 1986, where he discovered Goju-Ryu Karate in 1988 through Kyoshi Jay Purdy 7th dan, respectively.
In 1991 he was reintroduced to Goju-Ryu through Sensei Jim Kelsh (Guelph Martial Arts Academy). Sensei Kelsh was a former student of Wally Platt and Don Warrener. Sensei Matthews diligently trained with Sensei Kelsh until the closing of the dojo at which time he resumed training with Kyoshi Jay Purdy of Elora.
Sensei Matthews has now traveled to Okinawa Japan 7 times to visit the dojo of Dai-Sensei Meitoku Yagi, Hanshi 10th Dan (senior student of Goju-Ryu karate founder Chojun Miyagi). He was fortunate to receive personal instruction from Meitatsu and Meitetsu Yagi as well as having the privilege of performing •
Instructors
Sensei Bill Stimpson (Head Instructor)
5th Degree Black Belt
Head Instructor Sensei Bill Stimpson is a 5th Degree Black Belt and also holds a first degree in Kyusho Jitsu. Born and raised in the Fergus-Elora area, Sensei Bill has always shown a keen interest in sports and played on Championship teams in both hockey and lacrosse. He is an enthusiastic teacher and a positive influence on everyone who comes into contact with him.
Sensei Bill Stimpson has over 25 years of martial arts training and received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1996, Nidan in 1999, Sandan in 2002, and Yondan in 2006 from Hanshi Bill Hind. Kyoshi Jay Purdy awarded him his Godan (5th Degree) in 2011. Sensei Bill has been teaching at Elora Gorge Karate Dojo since 1996 and took over ownership in 2005. He has also received a Shodan in Kyusho Jitsu in 2005 from Dillman International –Steve Stewart 8th Dan.
Sensei Bill has had the privilege of training in classes and Seminars with the following instructors: