Calgary Gojukai Home

Welcome to Calgary Gojukai

Calgary Gojukai is a traditional karate dojo based in Rocky Ridge in northwest Calgary, Alberta. We are members of the International Karatedo Gojukai Association, through IKGA Canada. We practice the style called Goju Ryu, as taught by Grandmaster Goshi Yamaguchi, President of IKGA.

While our training foundation is traditional, we enjoy the benefits of modern training practice, as well as regular participation in tournaments. Our members are successful athletes at all levels, and we have medalists at local, provincial and international tournaments. Calgary Gojukai members are encouraged to participate in national and international events, including training at our headquarters (Hombu) in Tokyo, Japan.

We offer classes for both children and adults, and all levels of skill are challenged to improve their karate at each class.

IKGA North American Seminar - August 2026

From July 31 to August 3, 2026 we hosted the IKGA North American Bloc Seminar in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We were fortunate to welcome Grandmaster Goshi Yamaguchi Hanshi and his assistant Brent Regan Shihan.

Over the course of 4 days, Saiko Shihan led members from across North America in an intensive seminar on IKGA Goju-ryu Karatedo. Whether it was advanced training for Shihan high level practice for balck belts or fundamentals for Kyu grades, Saiko Shihan and Brent Shihan inspired everyone present to work hard, to learn new drills and to reach for excellence in their karatedo.

At 84 years of age, Yamaguchi Hanshi continues to inspire, challenging all ages with his skill, energy and fitness. He is well on his way to achieving his personal goal of teaching in all the IKGA continents within this year, having completed seminars in Africa, North America, Europe, South America and now this past weekend completing a seminar in Australia. The last stop will be the Asian Bloc Seminar coming up soon in Japan. Truly amazing!

I would like to especially thank Yukiko Hirayama Shihan for all your work to organize and keep things on track, taking care of all the small things in the background and still having time to teach and practice. Also Austin Weleschuk and Shotaro Richardson, who were instrumental in planning, translation, demonstration, MC....it's a relaly long list. Great work both of you!

Thank you as well to all of the IKGA North American Bloc Shihan, Instructors and members from all across North America for helping to make the weekend such a special event. These events cannot happen without the participation of our members. I hope everyone had a fantastic time and are re-energized to keep moving forward with your training.

Thank you, and see you all at the next one!

NEWS

Examination results 2026

It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce results from our Dan examination held in July, 2026. Advancing to Shodan (1st Dan) are:

Keiko Renneberg
Asuka Miyamoto
Erika Hosokawa

Also, during our recent North American Bloc seminar in August, 2026 we held a dan examination for all North American dan holders. The examination was with a grading panel consisting of North America's most senior instructors as well as Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi. From Calgary Gojukai, the following have passed the requirements to Nidan (2nd Dan):

Noriko Kimura
shotaro Richardson
Satoshi Takasaka
Akito Takasaka

Congratulations to everyone on your outstanding grading results! I am so proud of what you have been able to accomplish in your karate training. Keep up the good work!

IKGA Global Championships 2025 Results

In August, 2025 members from Calgary Gojukai took part in the 8th IKGA Global Championships that were held in Chiba, Japan. As members of the Canadian team, our athletes did their best in Kata, Kumite, Team Kata and Bunkai events.

The team consisted of:

Rob Shihan - Coach
Yukiko Shihan - Coach
Austin Sensei - Athlete, Coach
Satoshi T. - Athlete, Coach
Shotaro R. - Athlete
Akito T. - Athlete
Kai B. - Athlete
Leo I. - Athlete
Kyto W. - Athlete
Kai M. - Athlete

IKGA members from across the world came together for this momentous event, sending their best athletes to compete. All the members of the team from Calgary performed exceptionally well, and took home memories and freindships that will last for a lifetime.

While the competition was fierce, our team's efforts to prepare were met with great success. Congratulations to everyone, and especially to our finalists and medalists:

Sho R, Akito T, Kai B - Bronze Medal, Junior Boys Team Kata
Sho R, Akito T - Bronze Medal, Junior Boys Bunkai
Sho R - 4th Place, Junior Boys Individual Kata
Akito T - 4th Place, Junior Boys Individual Kumite
Satoshi T - 5th Place Veteran Kumite, 6th Place Veteran Kata

Great work everyone, your efforts truly paid off!

Examination results January, 2025

A very big congratulations to Yukiko Hirayama on her promotion to Shihan Renshi! Yukiko Shihan recently was asked to submit her thesis which was reviewed by Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi. We are proud to announce that she passed and is now promoted to Shihan or Master Instructor for IKGA. Well done Yukiko Shihan!

Additionally, Rob Richardson recently passed the examination for Nanadan (7th Dan). The senior dan examination was conducted by Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi for the IKGA North American Block, and Rob Shihan was successful in passing the test.

Congratulations Yukiko Shihan and Rob Shihan!

Information

Dojo Address:
Rocky Ridge Ranch Centre
10709 Rocky Ridge Blvd NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Email: calgarygojukai@gmail.com

Fees: Please contact us for information about our annual and monthly fees.

Training Times:
Wednesday and Friday Evenings
Children: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Adults: 8:15pm - 9:30pm

Back to classes!

With the COVID-19 pandemic mostly behind us, we are training normally. However lessons learned during the pandemic continue to be relevant today, especially since we are never really free of the various illnesses that may be picked up at work, school or other activities. During training we will continue to observe safety protocols, including:

physical distancing as much as possible,
hand hygiene,
NO spectators during training
and continued use of masks when appropriate.

Please remember to stay home and recover if you are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms. Not only is it important to keep everyone else from being exposed to potential illness, but it is also not a good idea to participate in strenuous physical activity while sick. Please come back to practice once you are fully recovered.

If you have any concerns about in-person practice please let us know.

Questions, comments or just need more info, please email at calgarygojukai@gmail.com.