Our Dojo and Senseis
The Halifax-ISKF is affiliated with clubs across Canada and 50 countries under the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF). Sensei Tony Tam is Senior Head Instructor and Sensei Danny Tam is Vice Senior Head Instructor, both are 8th dans with over 49 years each of karate experience and they are the highest-ranking Certified ISKF instructors, examiners, and judges in Eastern Canada. Sensei Tony is Vice President of ISKF-International (the world organization of ISKF), a Director of ISKF Canada, and one of the 9 members of the senior Technical Committee of the ISKF-International.
Senseis Tam’s first Senseis were Senseis Dick Powell and Barry Ripley, of the Japan Karate Assoc. (JKA) who they met in 1974. They introduced them to the late Grand Master Master T. Okazaki, 10th dan, founder of the ISKF. Senseis Tam attained their 6th dan under the JKA and their 8th dans under the ISKF. Sensei Tony, a 1st dan at the time, founded the Dal Karate club was founded in 1979 when he attended Dalhousie University for commerce and then law. Sensei Danny joined him in 1982 when he attended the Dal dental school.
The Dal Karate club wis now known as the Halifax ISKF located on the Dalhousie University/King's College campus dedicated to promoting karate to students, faculty, staff, and community members at a very low fee. The youth parent class is very popular and provides an interactive environment for parents and kids.
Sensei Tony Tam, 8th dan
Assisting Senseis Tam in the Halifax dojo are many very dedicated volunteer Senseis and senior instructors (sempais) including Paul Gareau, 7th dan, Sam Campbell, 7th dan, Marc Scarfone, 6th dan, Lyse Gareau-Market, 5th dan, Loretta Li, 5th dan, and instructors, Carman Mills, 5th dan, David Deveau, 5th dan, John DeMont, 5th dan, John McGowan, 4th dan, and Ferdinand Bellesteros, 3rd dan.
Sensei Danny Tam, 8th dan
We practice traditional karate emphasizing mental and physical discipline and development. We do not hit or make physical contact with another person with the intent to injure or harm. However, as in any martial or combative art, contact will occur with another person as a part of our normal training regime or in a tournament, e.g. by blocking, holding or otherwise, and injury may occur unintentionally or by accident. We stress control of techniques. While we offer the opportunity to participate in tournaments, competition is not required or mandatory as a part of belt advancement.
ISKF
The ISKF is a world organization founded by the late Grand Master Master T. Okazaki, 10th dan, and Master Y. Yaguchi, 9th dan. Master Hiroyoshi Okazaki, 9th dan is Chairman and Head Instructor. Sensei Tony Tam is Vice-President. There are over 50,000 members from 50 countries across North, Central and South America, Europe, India, Russia, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Carribean Islands, Middle East and Phillipines.
ISKF Canada is headed by Head Instructor and Chairman Sensei David Jones, 8th dan, President is Sensei Larry Loreth, 8th dan, Vice Chairman is Sensei Denis Houde, 7th dan, Treasurer is Sensei Laurie Jones, 7th dan, and Arbitrator is Sensei Sophia Smirza, 4th dan.
