BIOGRAPHIES

Kyoshi John Johanis is a Seventh-Degree Black Belt in Kempo Karate and a Black Sash in Chuan-Fa (Shaolin Kung-Fu) under Hanshi John Atkinson in the Canadian Karate Kung-Fu Association (CKKA). A martial arts instructor for over 35 years, he has taught programs across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. He is also a Certified Satori FIT Instructor.

In 1986, John moved to Orangeville and joined the Black Belt Institute on Broadway with Sensei John Atkinson. From his father’s advice, he knew to “take care of the teacher, because if you do, he will take care of you.”

John has continued to train with Sensei Atkinson (later promoted to Hanshi (Gentle-Man/Samurai) for his entire martial arts career. He earned his Shodan (First Degree) Black Belt in 1992 and Nidan (Second Degree) in 1994.

As a Second Degree Black Belt, and with the permission of the Black Belt Institute, John opened the first Johanis’ Karate School in 1994. He was invited into the CKKA as an Instructor in 1998 by Hanshi Alex Atkinson.

John earned his Sandan (Third Degree) in 1997 and Yondan (Fourth Degree) in 2001. He earned his Fifth Degree in 2006 and was promoted from Sensei (Instructor) to Shihan (Master). In 2012, John became a Sixth Degree and was ordered by the Black Belt Institute to assume the title of Kyoshi (Professor). In 2025, John was awarded the CKKA Lifetime Achievement Award. He is proud to have received every Black Belt promotion from his original instructor, Hanshi John Atkinson.

For over 35 years, John has learned from three main instructors: Hanshi John Atkinson, Hanshi Alex Atkinson, and Chong Oi Mun Si Tai Gung (Great-Grandmaster David Chong). He has also trained with Master Ron Yamanaka, Hanshi Patrick McCarthy, Kyoshi Dave Kovar, Professor Wally Jay, “Superfoot” Bill Wallace, Joe Lewis, Steve “Nasty” Anderson, and Stephen H. Hayes who served as the Dalai Lama’s personal protection escort and security advisor.

John took a keen interest in Sport Karate tournaments. He competed across Canada and the US in circuits such as the National Black Belt League and the Sport Karate International.