who we are
Our Chief Instructor is Donna Gardecki Shihan. She started her Karate training in 1984 at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and successfully examined to 7th Dan in December 2024.
Gardecki Shihan has been teaching Karate since 1992 and has been Chief Instructor of West Coast Gojukai since 1997. She received a Bronze medal in Brazil at the 1997 IKGA World Championships in the Women's (Advanced) Kata Division and Gold medal in the Women's Masters Black Belt Kata Division in the 2007 Canadian National Karate Championships.
In 2017, she received her Kokodo Jujutsu teaching license and teaches our Jujutsu program as Seiga Dojo within West Coast Gojukai.
Gardecki Shihan was the Organising Committee Chair for the 2017 IKGA Global Championships at the Richmond Olympic Oval. She is the Vice President of IKGA Canada, President of Karate BC, and is on the IKGA Canada Technical Committee and Karate BC Technical Committee .
She holds a Masters of Science in Physical Education and works as a Fitness and Rehabilitation Consultant in the Lower Mainland.
OTHER INSTRUCTORS
Steven Petersson Shihan
Petersson Shihan teaches Jujutsu on Sunday mornings. He is also our Kettlebells instructor.
Chris Browett, Jokyo, 4th Dan
Browett Sensei has been practicing karate for over 25 years. He serves as the Medical Committee Chair of Karate BC and is the Medical representative on the Tournament Committee of Karate BC. He competed in the 2017 IKGA Global Championships in Men's Kata. Chris Sensei is Instructor Beginner certified with Karate BC.
Ed Sagarbarria, Shidoin, 3rd Dan
Sagarbarria Sensei has been a Goju-Kai karateka for over 18 years, and has enjoyed this fulfilling martial art. It is his hope that others discover their potential and the journey, as he has, with Westcoast Goju-Kai.
Kristina Lee, Shidoin, 3rd Dan
Lee Sensei has been practicing Gojukai Karate since 2011, and has been practicing karate for nearly 30 years. She continues the journey of trying to live "The Way". She competed in the 2017 IKGA Global Championships, placing 5th (with Naoko Senpai) in Women's Bunkai, which is an application of kata performed with a partner.
Kimar Arakaki Neves, Jun-Shidoin, 2nd Dan
Kimar Senpai began Gojuryu training as a child in Brazil, and resumed training as an adult after immigrating to Canada. He competed in the 2017 IKGA Global Championships, and many tournaments since then. Kimar provides feedback and instruction as an Assistant Instructor in the dojo. Kimar Senpai is Instructor Beginner certified with Karate BC.
Naoko Bellini, Jun-Shidoin, 2nd Dan
Naoko Senpai started karate training in 2013. She competed in the 2017 IKGA Global Championships, placing 5th (with Lee Sensei) in Women's Bunkai, which is an application of kata performed with a partner.
Don Hansen, Jun-Shidoin, 2nd Dan
Don Senpai is our most well-rounded student, currently training in Karate, Jujutsu, and Weapons. On occasions when Gardecki Shihan is unable to teach weapons, he teaches. Don is a perfect example of staying active into your 70s.
Wendy Reaume, Jun-Shidoin, 2nd Dan
Wendy Senpai started training karate in 2007 on a quest for fitness, and has slowly altered her focus to a journey of personal growth within this supportive community of karate-ka. She is Instructor Beginner certified with Karate BC.
Elizabeth Hui, Jun-Shidoin, 2nd Dan
Liz Senpai started her Gojukai training in Edmonton under Dana Nawata Shihan. Since returning to Metro Vancouver as a coloured belt, she has continued her training with us.
Caren Eigenmann, 1st Dan
Caren Senpai teaches our kids programming. As an award-winning Early Childhood Educator, she brings an extra set of skills to our classes for young students. Her Ninja Kids classes are developmentally appropriate, games-based sessions for 3-5 year-olds. As kids transition through the Dragons (4-6 year-olds) and Kids (7-11 year-olds) groups, she adds appropriate expectations for discipline, skills, and activity.
Mika Hagiwara, 1st Dan
Mika Senpai has been training at West Coast Gojukai since childhood. She works a lot with our competitive students, functioning as both Coach and Athlete at most tournaments. Mika is currently pursuing studies in Physical Education and Coaching with a specialization in Kinesiology and a Minor in Psychology, all of which inform her teaching and coaching in the dojo. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer and is Instructor Beginner certified with Karate BC