Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Morris Prokop

KICKIN' IT – Cora Anderson, 6, practices her kicks during the kids' MSR Karate class at the Makoto Shōri Ryū Humbu Dojo in Whitehorse on Tuesday. Kanvar Aulakh looks on while Dayo Osinubi practices in the background. Anderson, a White belt Level 1, takes part in the class at the school Monday to Friday from 4 to 5 p.m.

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Photo by Morris Prokop

PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS – Coach/Sensei Graeme Campbell instructs the kids' MSR karate class on the ten practice points before their workout with gloves and pads.

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Photo by Morris Prokop

Coach/Sensei Graeme Campbell works with Cora Anderson on her kicking.

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Photo by Morris Prokop

SWIFT KICK – Kanvar Aulakh, 6, delivers a kick while practicing with Dayo Osinubi.

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Photo by Morris Prokop

OUTSTANDING UPPERCUT – Kanvar Aulakh, a white belt, throws an uppercut into a practice pad held by Coach/Sensei Campbell.

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Photo by Morris Prokop

BOWING DOWN – The kids' MSR class, led by Campbell and Osinubi, bow down at the end of class.

Makoto Shōri Ryū school teaches kids and adults self-defence

Cold weather and the pandemic haven't slowed down a school of self-defence in Whitehorse.

By Morris Prokop on January 6, 2022

Cold weather and the pandemic haven't slowed down a school of self-defence in Whitehorse.

The Makoto Shōri Ryū (Truth Victory School of Thought) continues to hold youth and adult self-defence classes.

The school has been operating in the city for six years.

The Star dropped in on the school during the kids' MSR Karate class (which combines American Karate from Joe Lewis Fighting Systems (JLFS) founder Joe Lewis with Kodokan judo), where they were starting a six-week sparring seminar.

The coach/sensei and owner, Graeme Campbell, taught a variety of sports in Scotland, including swimming, gymnastics, personal training. He explained how the school came about.

"I was teaching (a) fitness kickboxing class, which is completely different to teaching martial arts. I just got asked 'can you do a self-defence class for the kids?' and at first I said no, just because they are so different – teaching fitness and teaching self-defence. I was only asked because I do have experience in martial arts already, so as soon as the students found that out, they wanted me to increase the fitness and they wanted to learn martial arts instead of the fitness kickboxing stuff. Eventually I just said 'cool!" So I took some time and upgraded my qualifications to get some proper self-defence and kickboxing(certifications) and started the club. And we're still going – six, seven years later," related Campbell.

He explained one of the reasons he's still running the school.

"Let's just say I had a college student write a paper maybe two or three weeks ago about the biggest, most positive influence on their life. One of the things they put down was the gym. They mentioned a couple of guys from the gym ... he said he mentioned me, and that's why we do it, because it gives folk a place to come and they can develop personally, they can develop physically, mentally ... even guys have their own personal life philosophies that they go by, so you can say they develop spiritually as well.

"Then there's the self-defence aspect. You want people to know how to stand up for themselves and feel like they're safe."

Campbell said the students get a lot out of the classes.

"They get discipline, they get encouragement, they get physical fitness, they get a place to come and release that natural tension, maybe, is a good word, where they maybe just want to go and spar and punch a pad and wrestle to the ground. These places where they can do that are getting less and less. You can't do it at school anymore – not like you used to be able to. Some kids aren't allowed to do it at home, for whatever home reason, I don't know. But this gives them a place where they can do that.

"They have to wear their uniform. Their uniform has to be clean. It's their responsibility. They have to train for gradings and exams. So there's a lot of discipline and I think they like that. I know the parents do."

COVID-19 protocols include ages 12 and up must be double-vaccinated, spectators must wear masks, long sleeve rashguards top and bottom are worn for no gi grappling classes, use of hand sanitizer, no sharing of gloves and equipment, staying home if feeling unwell, and respecting fellow students right to train in a safe environment.

Classes include:

• Kids' ages 5-10: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday

• Ages 10-16: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday Wednesday, Friday, and a Saturday class at 11:30 a.m.

• Adult age 16+: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Tuesday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Campbell can be contacted by cell at (867) 689-5307 or by email at graeme@makotoshoriryu.com

The Makoto Shōri Ryū Humbu Dojo is located at 166 Titanium Way in Whitehorse.

Comments (5)

Up 6 Down 0

Graeme Campbell on Jan 7, 2022 at 11:44 am

Thank you for all the kind comments. Here is to a new year and new achievements.

Up 6 Down 0

Dayo Osinubi on Jan 6, 2022 at 9:20 pm

Thanks Graeme for a fun and safe training atmosphere.

Up 6 Down 0

Ana on Jan 6, 2022 at 4:46 pm

He is very dedicated and my daughter enjoyed his class. I would recommend him for children and adults.

Up 6 Down 2

Gina on Jan 6, 2022 at 3:38 pm

That's my girl. She is loving karate! We have been happy with the instruction and the location is convenient.

Up 6 Down 1

Zuhair Khan on Jan 6, 2022 at 3:05 pm

Coach Greame has been giving training to my children more than 5 years now. He is an awesome coach. I highly recommend him.

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