PROFILES

Manitoba would like to acknowledge the accomplishments to long-time

contributors to karate in Manitoba from various styles and backgrounds

Tug Wilson

The Manitoba Karate Association (MKA) was founded in 1969 by Mr. Richard (Tug) Wilson and registered in March, 1974. Mr. Wilson retired from teaching martial arts in 1977 with the ranks of 4^th Dan in both Karate and Judo.

Sensei Jerry Marr

• Technical Director, Karate Manitoba

• International Instructor and Examiner for JKA

• International Coach for JKA

• International Class A Official for JKA

• Chief Instructor, Western Region JKA Canada

• President, JKA International of Canada

• Chairman, Technical Committee, Traditional Karate Canada

• Level 1 Course Conductor NCCP

 Tournament Record

• 3rd Place Kata (Form) 1966, US Region Championships, Minneapolis

• 2nd Place Kata 1968, US Region Championships, Minneapolis

• 2nd Place Kumite (Sparring) 1968, US Region Championships, Minneapolis

• 1st Place Kata, 1^st Place Kumite and Grand Champion 1969, U.S. Regionals, Mpls.

• 2^nd Place Kata 1970, U.S. National Championships

Don McKenzie

Don has studied Karate under the instruction of Sensei Marr for over 30 years. In 1994 he was promoted to Yondan by Sensei Nishiyama. Don has represented Manitoba on many occasions at a National Level; either as a team member, team coach or as an official. Some of Don's accomplishments since becoming a black belt are:

Tournament Record

• 1977    3rd place. Kata, Manitoba Provincials

• 1979    2^nd place. Kumite, Saskatchewan Provincials

• 1979    1st place. Team Kumite, West. Can. Championships

• 1979    2nd place. Team Kumite, Can. Championships

• 1979    3rd place. Team Kata, Can. Championships

• 1980    1st place. Team Kata

• 1981    Provincial "Order of Sports Excellence Award" 

• 1982    2nd place overall Coach Can. championships

• 1982    Provincial "Order of Sports Excellence Award"

Coaching

• 2003 - Present Team Coach

• Class "A" Provincial Official

• Class "A" National Official

• Class “C” International Official

• Level 1 Coach NCCP

• Chief Instructor, Midwest/Earl Grey

• 2003  Coach, Pan-American Championships, Chile

Don deGrow

Don deGrow's coaching experience and expertise continues to contribute to the team as he co-instructs with Sensei McKenzie.  DeGrow received his Sandan in 2000 from Master Nishiyama. He also recieved his Yondan from Master Katsumata in 2006.

Officiating

• Class “A” Provincial Official

• Class “B” National Official

• Level 1NCCP Coach

Robert Stegmaier

Robert Stegmaier began his study of Karate in 1976, under the teaching of Sensei Marr. In 1983 he obtained the level of Shodan from Sensei Fusaro; his Yondan from Master Nishiyama in 2000. In the past 24 years, Robert has contributed to Karate in many aspects.  His other achievements are as follows:

Coaching

• Assistant Instructor-  Midwest Main Dojo , Wpg.

• Member of Technical Committee, Karate Manitoba

• Chairman, Archival Committee, Karate Manitoba

• Class "A" Provincial Official

• Class "A" National Official

• Class “C” International Official

• Level 1 NCCP Coach

• Assistant Coach for 1995 Traditional Man. Karate Team

• Award of Sport Excellence from Manitoba Sport Federation in 1984,1985 and 1995

Tournament Record

• 1983, Man. Provincials, 2nd place in Team Kata, 3rd. place in Senior Men’s Individual Kata

• 1983, Westerns, 2nd. place in Team Kata, 3rd. place in Team Kumite, 2nd place in Manitoba Prov. Team Kata

• 1984, NDSU Invitational, 1st place in Team Kata, 1st place in Team Kumite, 3rd place in Kumite

• 1984, Manitoba Provincials, 1st place in Team Kata

• 1984, NKA Nationals, 3rd place in Team Kata

• 1985, Man.Prov.,1st place, Team Kata, 2nd place in Kata

• 1985, NKA Nationals, 3rd place in Team Kata

• 1985, Westerns, 3rd place in Team Kata

• 1986, Manitoba Provincials, 1st place in Team Kata, 2nd place in Individual Kumite, 3rd place in Individual Kata

• 1986, Westerns, 2nd. place in Team Kata

• 1986, NKA Nationals, 3rd place in Team Kata

Zach Zimmer

Zach began his training in 1985 at Midwest/The Pas Karate Club. He has proven to be a fierce competitor, representing Manitoba in Provincial, National and World Championships. He represented Canada at the World Championships in Italy in 2000.He also represented Canada in Yugoslavia, Switzerland, and Brazil for the Worlds and Pan Ams over the last six years.

•      Silver, Male Kumite National Tournament 2000

•      Bronze, Male Team Kumite 2001 TKC

•      Bronze, Male Enbu 2001 TKC

•      Instructor at The Pas Karate Club

•      Class “B” Provincial Official

•      Class “C” National Official

•      Level 1 NCCP Coach

Jack Hebert

Jack started his Karate training in September of 1986. He became secretary treasurer for the club in December of 1986, and carried on with the help of fellow students. His accomplishments, aside from being an enthusiastic instructor, coach, and leader, are as follows:

• Attained Shodan rank in December 1995 from Sensei Marr

• Attained Nidan rank in December 2002 from Sensei Marr

• Tournament and camp organizer for past 16 years.

• Silver medal Kata 1991

• Sportsmanship Trophy 1993

• Chief Instructor, Midwest The Pas

• Class “A” Provincial Official

• Class “B” National Official

• 2001 Sports Excellence Achievement Award for coaching , Sport Manitoba

• Level 2 NCCP Coach

• Chairman archival committee Karate Manitoba  2000 to 2007

• Marketing Director Karate Manitoba till 2007

• Northern representative for Northern Manitoba clubs

Leon Flannigan & Wendy Flannigan

Leon, Wendy and Scott Flannigan are the Chief Instructors for this area. Leon, a Sandan, teaches in Rapid City and Rivers. Wendy, a Nidan, teaches at the main dojo in Brandon. Scott, a Sandan, teaches in Shilo, Carberry, Souris, Minnedosa, and Neepawa . The Flannigans have been in Karate in the Brandon region since 1984 and in 1990 they started their own dojo. The Western Manitoba area has increased from 1 dojo to 8 dojos and continues to grow.

To submit pics and a brief bio for the Profiles file send to

[email protected]