Hanshi's Corner
Grading Board
William "Bill" Hind
Steve Liddle
Kyle Taylor
Brian Clark
Don Bryon
Cindy Hind
The Head Instructor for the Canada Goju Karate Association is Hanshi Bill Hind, Hachidan (9th degree black belt). Hanshi Hind has been training and instructing in martial arts for over 40 years. He is the most senior student of Goju-ryu karate in Canada, having trained longer than any other Canadian.
Rank: Hanshi (9th Dan) | Dojo: Honbu Karate Dojo
Location: Magnetawan, ON | E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Renshi Steve Liddle began his martial arts path with Sensei Herb Hoenig in 1976, continuing with Sensei Dennis Fry from 1980 to 1988. He was graded to first degree black belt in 1982. In 2005, he was honoured with the rank of Rukudan (6th degree black belt).
Rank: Renshi (6th Dan) | Dojo: Kincardine Karate Dojo
Location: Kincardine, ON | E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Renshi Kyle Taylor began his martial arts path with Sensei Ken Harris in 1980, continuing under Sensei Steve Picotte until 1987. He had the good fortune to train under the personal guidance of Hanshi Bill Hind for eight years between 1994-2002. In 2011, he was honoured with the rank of Rukudan (sixth degree black belt).
Rank: Renshi (6th Dan) | Dojo: Petawawa Karate Dojo
Location: Petawawa, ON | E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Renshi Brian Clark began his martial arts path with Sensei Ken Harris in Borden. He was graded to first degree black belt in 1986. In 2006, he was honoured with the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt).
Rank: Renshi (5th Dan) | Dojo: Barrie Karate Dojo
Location: Barrie, ON | E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Renshi Don Byron began his martial arts path with Hanshi Bill Hind. He was graded to first degree black belt in 1985. Currently training and instructing at the Honbu dojo, Renshi Don Byron holds the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt).
Rank: Renshi (5th Dan) | Dojo: Toronto Karate Dojo
Location: Toronto, ON | E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Renshi Cindy began training in August 1973, when she was 16 yrs old. She was introduced to Goju karate at the Queen Street dojo run by Bill Hind and Benny Allen, and was graded to Shodan in 1983. She was married to Hanshi Hind in 1982 and is the mother of their two sons, Jonathan and Evan.
Rank: Renshi (5th Dan) | Dojo: Honbu Karate Dojo
Location: Magnetawan, ON | E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Grading Requirements
Yellow Belt
Kihon and Basics Techniques
- Hachi Dachi
- Zira Dachi
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Shiko Dachi
- Sanchin Dachi
- Misubi Dachi
- Gyaka Zuki
- Oi Zuki
- Jodan Uke
- Uchi Uke
- Shoto Uke
- Gedan Uke
- Mai Geri
- Mawate
Kata and Bunkai Application
- Sanchin
Kumite and Sparring Exercises
- Block and Counter
- Defend against High, Middle, Low punches, and Front kick
- Jo Chu Ge
Orange Belt
Kihon and Basics Techniques
- All of the yellow belt requirements at an orange belt level
- Sochin Dachi
- Shuto
- Empei
- Uraken
- Tettsui
- Haito
- Yoko Geri
- Mawashi Geri
- Kekomi Geri
- Step over kicks
Kata and Bunkai Application
- All of the previous Kata at an orange belt level
- Gekisai Ichi + 3 basic bunkai
Kumite and Sparring Exercises
- Renzoku Kumite
- Shuto Shuto Shuto
- Geri Geri Geri
- Jiyu Kumite - 6 x two-point matches
Green Belt
Kihon and Basics Techniques
- All of the orange belt requirements at a green belt level
- Neko Dachi
- Kosa Dachi
- Kokutsu Dachi
- Kake Uke
- Tesho Zuki
- Nukite
- Kenzetsu Geri
- Ashi Bari
- Front leg kicks
Kata and Bunkai Application
- All of the previous Kata at a green belt level
- Gekisai Ni + 3 basic bunkai
Kumite and Sparring Exercises
- Kakome Kumite
- Chu Shuto Ge
- Chu Geri Ge
- Jiyu Kumite - 10 x two-point matches
Blue Belt
Kihon and Basics Techniques
- All of the green belt requirements at a blue belt level
- Tobi Geri
- Fuji Zuki
- Te Uke
Kata and Bunkai Application
- All of the previous Kata at a blue belt level
- Saifa + 3 basic bunkai
- Nihan Shi Sho
- Kumite and Sparring Exercises
- Mawashi Tesho Kake Uke
- Jiyu Kumite - 15 x two-point matches
Brown Belt
Kihon and Basics Techniques
- All of the blue belt requirements at a brown belt level
- Ushiro Geri
- Ouchi Geri
- Osoto Geri
- Ko Uke
- Ko Uchi
Kata and Bunkai Application
- All of the previous Kata at a brown belt level
- Shisochin + 3 basic bunkai
Kumite and Sparring Exercises
- Koko Chu Ge
- Jiyu Kumite - 20 x two-point matches
- Good improvement in techniques and control for all kumite exercises
Brown-Black Stripe Belt
Kihon and Basics Techniques
- Seek perfection in all techniques learned
Kata and Bunkai Application
- Seiunchin + 3 basic bunkai
Kumite and Sparring Exercises
- Koko Chu Geri Ge
- Jiyu Kumite - 25 x two-point matches
Black Belt Grading Requirements
Black Belt (Shodan)
Kihon and Basics Techniques
- All of the Brown belt requirements at a Shodan level
Kata and Bunkai Application
- All of the previous Katas from White to Brown
- Seiunchin + 4 Bunkai
- Tensho
Kumite and Sparring Exercises
- Jiyu Kumite - 25 x two-point matches
Black Belt (Nidan)
Kihon and Basics Techniques
- Seek perfection
Kata and Bunkai Application
- All of the previous Katas from White to Brown
- Sanchin-Tensho
- Sanseryu + 4 bunkai
- Matsu Higa No Kwan
- Matsu Higa No Sai
- Matsu Higa No Tonfa
Kumite and Sparring Exercises
- Jiyu Kumite - 30 x two-point matches
Black Belt (Sandan)
Kihon and Basics Techniques
- Seek perfection
Kata and Bunkai Application
- Sanchin-Tensho
- Sanseryu + 4 Bunkai
- Seisan + 4 Bunkai
- Seipai + 4 Bunkai
- Chatan Yara No Kwan
- Chatan Yara No Sai
- Chatan Yara No Tonfa
Kumite and Sparring Exercises
- Jiyu Kumite - 30 x two-point matches
Black Belt (Yondan)
Kihon and Basics Techniques
- Seek perfection
Kata and Bunkai Application
- Sanchin-Tensho
- Kururunfa + 4 bunkai
- Suparinpai + 4 Bunkai
- One new weapons form of choice
Kumite and Sparring Exercises
- Jiyu Kumite - 30 x two-point matches