About Us
Our Club
Edmonton Kyokushin Karate Club is a diversified non for-profit organization focused on providing outstanding karate, self-defense and general fitness instruction to children, youth and adults in Edmonton and surrounding areas. Founded in 1983 by Shihan Les Banas, the club produced many local and national champions and hosts the annual Alberta Open Championships Tournament. The club is also a member of the International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan (IKO 1) headquartered in Ikebukuro, Japan.
Our Style
Kyokushin Karate is a hard style of karate, characterized by its realistic full-contact style of fighting, it’s emphasis on a graceful power in technique and it’s use of “temashiwari” (board breaking) in the development of spirit and character. This style of karate was developed during the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s by founder, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, 10th Dan. The Kyokushinkaikan is one of the largest karate organizations in the world with over ten million members worldwide with its head-quarters in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan. Some notable Kyokushin Karate black belts include Georges St-Pierre, UFC Undisputed World Welter Weight Champion and Dolph Lundgren popular Hollywood action movie star.
Our Instructors
Sensei Irek Slobodzian - Yondan (4th Dan)
Sensei Irek has been a member of IKOK-C since early 1990. His exposure to Kyokushin Karate however, took place a few years earlier in his native Poland while attending secondary school in town of Brzeg. After moving to Canada in 1990, he joined Edmonton Kyokushin Karate Club, where he trained under Shihan Les Banas and Shihan Mac Mierzejewski whom he considers as very influential in shaping his training and fighting style early on. He became Shodan in 1998, Nidan in 2003, Sandan in 2014 and Yondan in 2019.
Sensei Irek is an experienced national and international fighter with numerous tournaments under his belt. Highlights of his fighting career include two time Junior Canadian National Champion, Alberta Open Champion and Calgary Cup Champion. He competed in numerous tournaments across Canada and in 2004 was a member of the Canadian National team at the 10th Oyama's Cup in Khabarovsk Russia.
In September, 2012, Sensei Irek became the head instructor of the Edmonton Kyokushin Karate Club. He succeeds Shihan Les Banas (1983), Shihan Mac Mierzejewski (1991), Sensei Nathan Howat (2000) and Senpai Joe Johnston (2008) as the head instructor.
In his personal and professional life Sensei Irek is a father of two daughters and an entrepreneur with a Masters Degree in Business (MBA), Undergraduate Degree in Science (BSc) and Chemical Technology Diploma (CET).
Senpai Alexey Athrazev - Shodan (1st Dan)
- IKO Registered 1st Degree Black Belt (Shodan)
- Instructor
- IKOK-C Certified Corner Judge
- 17 years of active training
- 10 years teaching experience in Kyokushin Karate
- 7 years competitive fighter full-contact karate
- 8 years competition judging experience
Senpai Amy Mikla - Shodan (1st Dan)
- IKO Registered 1st Degree Black Belt (Shodan)
- Instructor
- IKOK-C Certified Corner Associate Judge
- 13 years of active training
- 8 years teaching experience in Kyokushin Karate
- 10 years competitive fighter full-contact karate
- 7 years competition judging experience
Senpai Phil Gauvin - Shodan (1st Dan)
- IKO Registered 1st Degree Black Belt (Shodan)
- Instructor
- 15 years of active training
- 7 years teaching experience in Kyokushin Karate
- 11 years competitive fighter full-contact karate
Senpai Sean Smith - 1st KYU
- IKO Registered 1st KYU
- Assistant Instructor
- 23 years of active training
- 4 years teaching experience in Kyokushin Karate
- 4 years competitive fighter full-contact karate
Senpai Mikhail Chykunou - 1st KYU
- IKO Registered 2nd KYU
- Assistant Instructor
- 17 years of active training
- 3 years teaching experience in Kyokushin Karate
- 6 years competitive fighter full-contact karate