Welcome to the OKC!

Welcome to the Ontario Karate College (OKC). The OKC serves as headquarters for the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) of Ontario and Canada. Located at 2225 Gerrard St. East, this Upper Beaches locality is easily accessible via Public Transit. The chairman and chief instructor of the OKC, ISKF Ontario, and ISKF Canada is Master Frank Woon-A-Tai, 8^th Dan.

_{Instructors' Seminar Conducted by Master Okazaki, 10th Dan - April 2009, OKC Honbu Dojo}

     OKC programmes are based on the Dojo Kun philosophy of Character Development, Physical Education and Fitness, Self Defence, and Sport Budo (Martial Art Way). We offer International programmes for Kyu Certification, Dan (Degree) Diploma Certification, Instructor, Examiner, and Judge Licence Certification, as well as programmes for OKC Coaches, Tournament Strategy, Kata Bunkai, and Self Defence Courses.

    We welcome both old and new members alike, and encourage inactive members to maintain their membership in the OKC Alumni Association.

OKC Student Spotlight - February 2010

Saiss Pathipan, Shodan 

When Saiss, a Grade 9 student at Agincourt Collegiate Institute, started karate some six years ago, none of his previous instructors thought he would one day be Student of the Month.

Quiet and shy by nature, Saiss struggled in the dojo. His passivity and the lack of athleticism conspired to hold him back. Still, he persevered. It took time but something remarkable happened. Last December he came up with a marvelous effort in passing his shodan exam.

Unlike storybook endings, not all underachievers become overachievers. Few actually do. Saiss came into his own once he understood the key to success lay within. Making it happen took work.

Placed in the right learning environment, he improved immensely. His breakthrough performance was truly a triumph of the spirit. The display of poise, grit, and skill so elated his father that he gave his lug of a son a kiss in front of everyone!

Bravo, Saiss. You’ve come a long way. Thank you for the misty-eyed moment and for reminding us that we are all work in progress.

We’re not about to kiss you but we – especially your friends at the Timberbank dojo – would like to salute you with a deep bow to let you know we’re all so proud of you. Osu!

What is Karate?

    Traditional karate is a means to character development attainable through hard training and sweat. This is achieved through the five guiding principles of character, sincerity, effort, etiquette, and self-control. These principles guide the karate-ka along the path to the art of karate-do. Karate is also an excellent form of physical education and fitness that promotes a balance between academic and physical education. This results in improved physical and mental conditioning including stress relief, confidence enhancement and an over all sense of well being.

    In sport, karate allows contestants to test their skill in competition. Although traditionally karate was practiced as a form of self defence, touraments allow the karate-ka to develop their skills against trained competitors thereby increasing the effectiveness of technique during combat scenerios. Shotokan karate specifically is a highly effective martial art that is being practiced in both the dojo and the octogon.

   Whether one is seeking physical, mental, psychological, or spiritual fulfillment, the art of traditional karate-do is the answer and is available at the Ontario Karate College or in any ISKF Ontario Dojo