Shihan Yasuo Sakurai
The North Vancouver Shidokan Dojo was established by Shihan Yasuo Sakurai, 7th dan, who personally taught most classes until March 1999, when he left for an extended visit to Japan. While Sakurai Shihan visits Canada every year, regular classes are now taught by other yudansha (black belts).
Sensei Michael Doherty
The Senior Instructor for our Dojo is Michael Doherty. Doherty Sensei began his study of karate in 1976. He holds the rank of 6th dan as well as JKA certification as a “B” Instructor, “C” Examiner, and “B” Judge. He is also a member of the JKA BC Technical Committee. He holds degrees in political science (B.A., M.A.) and law (LL.B., M.Jur., Ph.D.).
Other Instructors
Other instructors active with the club at this time also possess considerable experience and respected credentials. In addition to their ranks in karate, all have earned National Coaching Certification Program qualifications. Unlike dojo where only the senior instructor is allowed to teach the classes, at our dojo all of the yudansha share the teaching duties, ensuring that students are exposed to a variety of perspectives.
Joe Lappan began his study of karate in 1983. He holds the rank of 4th dan and is certified as an official by both Karate BC and the JKA. Joe is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and is an investment advisor with RBC Dominion Securities.
Brock Smith holds the rank of 3rd dan. He is a lawyer with Whiteboard Law.
Raly Radouloff began her study of the art of shotokan karate in 2006 and currently holds 2nd dan. She’s a graduate of Sofia University and UCLA. A former screenwriter/producer, she now works as a creative and academic writing coach.
Lara Winkless, 2 nd dan, started training shotokan karate at the age of seven in 2006. She graduated Sentinel Secondary in 2016 and is the recipient of the Canada National AP Scholar Award. She is currently at UBC doing a combined math/econ major.