Shihan Yasuo Sakurai

The NorthVancouver 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

Doherty Sensei taught most classes at the dōjō between 1999 and 2020, when he moved to Victoria. He still visits and teaches classes several times per year. Doherty Sensei began his study of karate in 1976. He holds the rank of 6th dan as well as JKA certification as a “A” Instructor, “B” Examiner, and “A” 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.).

Sensei Joe Lappan

• Yodan (4th Dan)
• Instructor C
• Judge C
• Examiner D

Joe began his study of JKA Shotokan karate in 1983. He is a member JKA BC technical board. Joe is a portfolio manager and senior wealth advisor with RBC Dominion Securities

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Sensei Hiroto Tadokoro

• Yodan (4th Dan)
• Instructor D
• Judge D

He began his study of Karate in Ibaraki Pref, Japan, in 1984 at the age of 15. In 1988, he moved to Tokyo to attend Chuo University and trained at the Onshikan Dojo in Kodaira City, where he earned his 1st-degree black belt in 1997. In 1998, he was transferred to Hong Kong for work and continued his training at SKI dojo there. He immigrated to Canada in 2004.

In 2023 he obtained 4th Dan grading with Master Shiina Sensei. In 2024 he represented Canada in the Funakoshi Gichin Cup 16th Karate World Championship

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Sensei Brock Smith

• Sandan (3rd Dan)
• Instructor C
• Judge D
• Examiner D

Brock Smith holds the rank of 3rd dan. He is a member JKA BC technical board. He is a lawyer with Whiteboard Law.

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Sensei Ricardo Vieira

• Sandan (3rd Dan)

A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
with more than 40 years of Karate practice, Ricardo is an experienced martial artist, with knowledge of many styles and disciplines, which he has incorporated to his solid foundation in Shotokan. He currently holds the rank with JKA of Sandan, as well as black belt certifications from ITKF and Karate Canada.

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Sensei Karen Tadokoro

• Sandan (3rd Dan)
• Instructor D
• Judge D

Karen has been practicing karate for 15 years. She began her training at the age of 10 with the strong encouragement of her father, Hiroto, and earned her 1st dan (first-degree black belt) at 15. She went on to receive her 2nd dan at 18 and most recently achieved the rank of 3rd dan under Hirayama Sensei.

Outside the dojo, she holds a degree in Early Childhood Care and Education from Capilano University, where she now works at the university’s Children’s Centre.

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Sensei Yevgenii Stolyarenko

• Nidan (2nd Dan)

Yevgen (Yevgenii) began his karate journey at the age of 8 in Ukraine. By the age of 17, he earned his JKA black belt under the instruction of Sensei Hideo Ochi.

Throughout his competitive career, Yevgen participated in numerous regional, national, and international tournaments. He is a five-time Donetsk Region Champion and a four-time Ukrainian national silver and bronze medalist in kumite (JKA/WKF/WKC rules) across cadet and adult divisions. Additionally, he secured three silver medals in kumite at the Ukrainian Open International Tournament (WKC).

In 2014, Yevgen relocated to Canada and, in 2016, became a member of the North Vancouver Shidokan Karate Club. In 2019, he achieved his second dan black belt under Sensei Sakurai.

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Sensei Augusto Nizzo Mc Intosh

• Nidan (2nd Dan)
• Instructor D
• Judge D

Augusto started Karate in 2011 in Argentina and currently holds the rank of 2nd Dan. He moved to Canada in 2017 where he continued his Karate journey where he obtained his black belt degrees.  He is a Software Engineer from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires.

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