"I would rather have one person demonstrate sportsmanship, than have 50 people preach about it." — Knute Rockne, University of Notre Dame football coach


Chief Instructor/Coach Ken Benson

Ken Benson started his karate study in 1973 with Sensei Kenzo Dozono. After moving to Toronto, the majority of his training came under Kancho (Director) Takemasa Okuyama in Shotokan-style. Fortunate to work with some excellent teachers in Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Kali, Benson always mentions Professor/Hanshi Shah Franco as his main generic combat sport resource.

A believer in lifelong education, Ken Benson became the fourth karate coach in Canada to achieve NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) Level 4, or International/Olympic level. In 2011, he became the first karate coach to be granted Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC) status by the Coaching Association of Canada. He also served as a Director on the Canadian Olympic Committee in 2008, representing karate.

His résumé includes:
7th Dan Black Belt, Karate, IKA Canada
ChPC (Chartered Professional Coach)
• fully-licensed coach, Coaching Association of Canada
NCCP Level 4 High Performance Coach
• member, Karate Canada NCCP Committee
NCCP Coach Developer, Karate Canada
NCCP Evaluator, Karate Canada
Coach, Ontario Provincial Team, 2014-18
Certified Trainer/Coach, TRX, Kettlebell, Resistance Bands/Tubing

He has coached at:
Ontario Summer Games  2014, 2016
Karate Canada National Championships  2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Karate Ontario Grand Prix  1990 to 2016
Ontario Karate Federation Selection Tournaments 2016-18
• Independent tournaments, including 10 Kubota Cups, and 6 Iwata Cups

Additional highlights:
• Karate Canada Coach Developer of the Year, 2017
Mentor Coach, Changing the Game Program, Coaching Association of Ontario, 2017-18
contributing writer, NCCP Karate Competition Development Manual, 2013
contributing writer/producer, "Ultimate Karate", book by Takemasa Okuyama, 1997
presenter, Sport Karate Symposium, Karate Ontario, 2008
• achieved Dan level (black belt) in Kobudo (weapons) and Taekwondo (ITF)


Mr. Benson has taken part in over 1,200 hours of workshops, seminars, and webinars (he keeps track) on topics including different martial arts, sport science, long term athletic development (LTAD), and any other subject that will enrich his karate program.

He has delivered karate and self-defence programs in both the public and private school sectors. He has also developed curriculum and taught self-defence as part of secondary school physical education.

A Toronto Beaches resident for over 30 years, he has participated in community activities, including as a volunteer and charity fundraiser. By day, he is a commercial photographer.

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