Shihan Doug Meagher

A chronology...

  • Started Training Martial Arts 1970

  • 1991 - Won Regional Goju-Ryu Kumite Championship

  • 1992 - Promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt (Shodan)

  • 1994 - Promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt (Nidan)

  • 1999 - Promoted to 3rd Degree Black Belt (San Dan)

  • 1999 - Is awarded Instructors Certification (Shidoin)

  • 2001 - Is awarded commendation for bravery saving a life, by Niagara Regional Police Service Board

  • 2003 - Is voted to the Board of Directors for the City of Welland Sports Promotion Committee

  • 2003 - Tested and Promoted to Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) Kyushu Jutsu
    by Shihan Rusty McMains, Dragon Society International Designated Canadian Representative for Dragon Society International by Grand Masters Tom Muncy & Rick Moneymaker. Click here for a photo.

  • Gord Sykes Memorial Trophy for Coach of the Year, 2004, City of Welland2004 - Is Awarded the Gord Sykes Memorial Trophy for Coach of the Year
    by City of Welland

  • 2004 - Leads Northwest Karate into New Era Becoming 1st Welland Member Dojo of Karate Ontario

  • 2004 - Coaches Students of Northwest to Provincial Championships ! Northwest Students become Members of WKA Ontario Provincial Karate Team

  • 2005 - Coaches 2 students to become members of the Can-Am challenge elite team. Both students win head to head against USA team members

  • 2005 - Coaches Students of Northwest Karate to National Championships. All Provinces bring teams to try out for National Team! Northwest Students become Members of the WKA Canadian National Team. Sensei Meagher also makes Canadian National Team

  • 2005 - Shihan Meagher and Students compete at WKA World Championships as Members of the Canadian National Team. 52 Countries attend WKA World Championships with 3,000 members competing. All three members of Northwest Karate leave in top 10 world rating

  • 2005 - Shihan Meagher becomes member of All Japan Karate Federation JKF/JKF Goju Kai

  • 2005 - Shihan Meagher successfully passes testing and is promoted to 4th degree Black Belt (Yondan) with Seiwa Kai Canada under Shihan Isao Yabunaka, 7th dan Kyoshi Seiwa Kai Canada

  • 2005 - Appointed Niagara Regional Director for Seiwa Kai Canada by Shihan Isao Yabunaka 7th Dan Kyoshi

  • 2005 - Shihan Meagher is awarded his assistant masters certification. (Jokyo)

  • 2006 - Shihan Meagher is recommended to and voted in as Director of Karate Ontario

  • 2006 - Shihan Meagher is awarded Coach of the Year for the City of Welland 2005, the second time has been honoured with this award

  • 2007 - Shihan Meagher successfully passes testing and is promoted to 5th degree Black Belt (Godan) with Seiwa Kai Canada. Also is granted the teaching title of Renshi.

In Shihan Meagher's own words: "My education has just begun!!"

For photos of Shihan Meagher's journey and Northwest Goju Ryu - click here.

Shihan Meagher's martial arts journey has been influenced by his Sensei, Shihan Rusty McMains. Also important is the guidance of Shihan Isao Yabunaka.

Shihan Rusty McMains

Shihan Rusty McMains, Sensei Meagher's SenseiShihan McMains, holding the rank of Godan (5th Degree), is a senior black belt and instructor with Seiwa Kai Canada. He was awarded the prestigious title of Renshi, master instructor, through Japan. He is a direct student of Shihan Isao Yabunaka, Sichidan (7th Degree)

Shihan McMains is a member of the JKF (Japan Karate Federation) and JKF GojuKai, which set the rules and standards for Olympic karate. Additionally, he is a member of the USANKF (United States of America National Karate Federation) and holds a judging license with the WKF (World Karate Federation), both recognized by the IOC (International Olympic Committee).

Presently Shihan McMains oversees the instruction and progression of several schools in the southern Ontario, Canada region. He visits the area 3-5 times a year to conduct seminars and classes in Goju-Ryu and Kyusho-jutsu, the art utilizing the application of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) for self-defense purposes.

Shihan Isao Yabunaka

Shihan Isao Yabunaka, 7th Dan, Chief Instructor for Seiwa Kai CanadaShihan Isao Yabunaka began studying karate with Hanshi Gogen Yamaguchi, who had brought Chojun Miyagi over from Okinawa to establish Goju Ryu karate in Japan. Yabunaka was also a student of Hanshi Shuji Tazaki, who founded Goju-ryu Seiwa Kai in 1971.

Shihan Isao Yabunaka came to Canada (Vancouver, British Columbia) in 1971. In 1972, he attained the rank of Shidoin (3rd Dan, Instructor degree) and started the first Seiwa Kai dojo at the Renfrew Community Centre. By 1975 Yabunaka was promoted to Jokyo, and achieved the rank of Shihan Renshi (5th Dan Master degree) in 1978.

In 1989, Shihan Yabunaka moved to Ingersoll, Ontario and established the dojo at Cami Recreational Centre, where he still teaches. In 1997 he achieved the rank of Kyoshi (7th Dan).

In 1998, he established Seiwa Kai North America; he oversees all dojos across Canada and the United States on behalf of Tazaki Hanshi. There are Seiwa Kai dojos in Vancouver, Squamish and Whiterock in B.C.; Calagary, Alberta; Stockton, California; St. Louis, Missouri; Ingersoll, Hamilton, Woodstock, Stoney Creek, Niagara Falls, Welland, Timmins and Thorold in Ontario. Kyoshi Isao Yabunaka also works on the Technical Committe of Karate Ontario to develop standards of excellence in karate.

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