There’s no place like home. That’s why long-time members continue training at UTKC. Many of them assist with teaching duties or advisory roles as well, which makes these high-ranking black belts (or yudansha) essential to the club. We look up to our senior senpai for feedback, instruction, and mentoring.
You’ll find more information about our senior black belts below. Whether you’re new to our club or a martial arts veteran, our yudansha are here to help and give their best insights.
Name:
Steven Yap
Rank:
5th Degree Black Belt (Godan 2005), conferred by National Karate Association and Jinbukai Canada
Member Since:
1981
Occupation:
Engineer
Known for:
Being fast and fearless
Other Achievements:
UTKC President
1995 Masuko Cup - Karate Ontario Sportsmanship Award
Hobbies:
Biking
Cross-country skiing
Soccer
Nature
Hockey
1998 World Championships, Men's Team Kata
1998 Nationals 1st Men's Team Kata, 3rd Men's Individual Kata
1997 Nationals 1st Men's Team Kata, 3rd Men's Individual Kata
1996 Nationals 2nd Men's Team Kata, 3rd Individual Kata
1995 Pan-Am Games, Men's Individual Kumite (pghtweight)
1995 Nationals 3rd Men's Individual Kata
1994 World Championships, Men Individual Kumite (-60kg)
1994 Pan-Ams, Men's Individual Kumite (-60kg)
1994 Nationals 1st Men's Individual Kumite (-60kg), 2nd Men's Individual Kata
1992 Nationals 3rd Men's Individual Kumite (-60kg)
1991 Nationals 1st Men's Team Kumite
1991 Top 8 placement in Pan-Ams, Men's Individual Kumite (-65kg)
1990 Nationals 3rd Men's Individual Kumite (Lightweight), 3rd Men's Team Kumite
1989 Nationals 3rd Men's Individual Kumite (Lightweight), 3rd Men's Individual Kumite (Open weight)
Name:
Steve Watanabe
Rank:
5th Degree Black Belt (Godan 2011)
Member Since:
1990
Teaching Since:
1992-2007, 2017-present
Occupation:
Software Engineer
Favourite Quote:
"Train hard."
Known for:
Speed drills
Enjoys:
Raising his daughters Kira and Misa
Other Achievements:
UTKC President
UTKC Vice President
Karate Ontario Director/Secretary
2001 Nationals - 6th, Men's Individual Kata
2000 Nationals - Men's Individual Kata
1999 Nationals - Men's Individual Kata
1998 Worlds - Men's Team Kata
1998 Nationals - Men's Individual Kata; 1st, Men's Team Kata
1997 Nationals - 1st, Men's Team Kata
1996 Nationals - 2nd, Men's Team Kata
Name:
Chris Achong
Rank:
4th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan karate (Yondan 2004)
Black Belt in Okinawan Goju Ryu karate
Member Since:
1992
Teaching since:
1994-2006, 2016-present
Occupation:
High School Teacher
Favourite Quote:
"If you think you're training hard, train harder!"
Hobbies:
Motorcycling
Inline skating
Road trips to tournaments
Known for:
Pure, clean basics, powerful kicks and punches with good lines, and a loud laugh
Other Achievements:
Pure, clean basics, powerful kicks and punches with good lines, and a loud laugh
UTKC President
UTKC Vice President
UTKC Membership Director
UTKC Banner Boy
Name:
Shazam Williams
Rank:
4th Degree Black Belt (Yondan) conferred by Karate Canada
Member Since:
1995
Teaching Since:
2005-2015
Occupation:
Engineer
Favourite Quote:
"When you go...you go."
Hobbies:
Cuisine
Cycling
Scotch
Known for:
Being surly, having a keen eye and effective Kumite techniques
Other Achievements:
UTKC treasurer
Current treasurer of Jinbukai Canada
Name:
Josephine Chen
Rank:
4th Degree Black Belt (Yondan) conferred by Karate Canada
Member Since:
2001
Occupation:
Engineer
Favourite Quote:
"Execute the details, even when you are doing the techniques fast."
Hobbies:
Travelling
Cycling
Trying different cuisines
Known for:
Being meticulous in detail and having a good sense of humor
2009 NKA Canada National Championship, 2nd Women's Team Kata
2008 WKF World Championship, Women Team Kata
2008 NKA Canada National Championship, Women Team Kata, 3rd place
2008 Pan-American Championship, Women Team Kata
Name:
Moyo Williams
Rank:
3rd Degree Black Belt (Sandan)
Member Since:
2003
Teaching Since:
2007 - present
Occupation:
Scientist
Favourite Quote:
"There is no right or wrong way, just more or less effective ways depending on your goals."
"Never fear answers, only fear running out of questions."
"Mathematics, science, war, politics and martial arts are all the same thing, ways of manipulating the world around you and bending it to your will."
Hobbies:
Politics
Science Fiction
Teaching fun and interesting classes
Known for:
Teaching fun and interesting classes
Other Achievements:
UTKC treasurer
Current treasurer of Jinbukai Canada