About Kenzen Karate

Discover the Popularity of Our Dojo in Saanich!
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At Kenzen, we offer an exceptional experience that keeps students coming back for more. Here’s what sets us apart:
・Beginner friendly: Newcomers are welcome to come in for a free trial anytime, which includes wearing a new uniform to enjoy the full experience, with no commitment to join afterwards.
・Uniform Included: Get started without the extra cost—your uniform is on us!
Affordable Tuition: Enjoy a straightforward monthly tuition with no hidden costs or long contracts.
・Diverse Class Schedule: Choose from a wide variety of fun classes tailored to all skill levels, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
・Beautiful Environment: Train in our stunning and huge full-time dojo, designed to inspire and motivate, making you feel like you are actually in Japan.
・Skill Development: Our students consistently grow stronger and develop valuable skills, with the chance to eventually earn a black belt recognized in Japan. Students also have the option of participating in competitions on Team Kenzen as we offer pathways to even trying out for the official BC Team and National Team.
・Welcoming Community: Kenzen students support and inspire each other as they become friends sharing the karate journey together.

Join us at Kenzen, where we strive to be the best part of your day!

Richard Mosdell | Chief Instructor

Like a tennis or golf pro, Richard Sensei is a career karate instructor who leads the club with a unique passion to share the joy of karate with everyone.
Richard Sensei has over 35 years of experience coaching, training and competing at the provincial, national and international levels. He is a 6th degree black belt in the Suzuki-ha Shito-ryu Seikokai karate system, while already holding high level black belts in other styles including a 3rd degree Japan Karate Federation black belt.
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During his 10 years learning karate in Japan, his full-time job was being the head karate coach at Seiritsu Gakuen High School's famous karate club, the oldest in Tokyo. This opportunity allowed him to see the highest levels of the karate world, better understanding the best parts to teach to Kenzen students.
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Richard Sensei is a former BC Team coach, provincial athlete, Canadian Sport Institute student and karate instructor for Gordon Head, Cedar Hill and Pearkes recreation centres. He teaches karate each week at local elementary schools, authored a Japanese manga in English on karate in Japan (Sonny Leads) and completed his Masters at the Sophia University Graduate School of Global Studies in Tokyo, with his thesis on the globalization of karate.

Pete Williams | Vice Chief Instructor

With over 30 years of Karate experience, much of it in Japan, Pete Sensei holds a 5th degree black belt Shito-ryu. He is also a NCCP qualified instructor, a national level referee with Karate Canada. and is on the Board of Directors for Karate BC.

Originally from the UK, he warmly loves to share his vast karate training, competing and teaching experience. While in Japan from 2010 to 2019, Pete Sensei was a high-performance coach alongside Richard Sensei at Seiritsu Gakuen High School karate club in Tokyo, and also as a full time instructor at the highly successful Shiramizu Karate dojo under Takamasa Arakawa Sensei.

Pete Sensei has competed and medalled from regional to international level in Japan and around the world. His deep dive into learning karate led to his providing translation for several key kata instruction guidebooks from Japanese to English.

Steve Naeth | Part Time Instructor

Steve Sensei has been with the club since our 2nd year, and he has gone on to compete and medal at the National Championships as a member of the BC Team, as well as rank in WKF level events.

He is also a competition official, Zone 6 (Vancouver Island) head coach for BC Winter Games, and works many of the local and provincials level events in British Columbia.

Faith Davison| Part Time Instructor

Faith Senpai is a 2nd degree black belt and one of our home-grown instructors, having joined Kenzen in its very first month!

As a Karate BC Team member who has won gold and silver at Canadian National championships Faith is a dedicated member who brings her experience of training and excelling in our system to all her classes.

Emily Gao | Part Time Instructor

Emily Senpai is a 2nd degree black belt, a BC Team member and a Canadian National Championship gold medalist. Her upbeat enthusiasm always energizes her coaching!

She was a Team Canada member at the 2022 Junior Pan-American Championships for Team Kata.

Owen Brady

Kraig Sensei has been a Canadian National Team coach for 7 years and running. He holds a diploma in high-performance coaching from the Canadian Sport Institute and he has used this knowledge to co-author Karate Canada’s long term athlete development model for all ages.

Kraig Sensei is also a 20 year veteran of the Saanich Fire Department and he has accumulated 30 years experience competing, coaching and winning in karate tournaments worldwide. A former BC Team head coach, member of Karate Canada’s high-performance committee and a long-time local instructor, he is uniquely aware of how to train beginners successfully to achieve their competitive and noncompetitive goals.

About Kenzen Karate

Now that you've met us online, come meet the real deal!