Avonhurst Judo Club

Judo teaches us to look for the best possible course of action, 
whatever the individual circumstances.

Kano Jigoro

About our Senseis

The teaching of one virtuous person can influence many; that which has been learned well by one generation can be passed on to a hundred.  Jigoro Kano

Kim Bergey

Rokudan-6th Degree Black Belt 

Kim was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame 2018 & the Regina Sports Hall of Fame 2017 for her accomplishments as an athlete for Judo & Wrestling.

She is a NCCP Level 3 Certified Coach, with over 40 years in the sport as a athlete, coach and official.  She is also National "A" Level Official & National Level "Kata" Judge.  Kim has an extensive competitive background at the national and international level.  She was a member of the Canadian National Team for a span of 5 years, representing Canada at numerous international events.

 

Toshi Shinmura

Godan-5th Degree Black Belt
Sensei is a NCCP Level 2 Certified Coach, Godan (5th degree black belt) with over 50 years experience in the sport.  His training began in Japan, where he received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in high school and was quite successful in competition. He then immigrated to Canada and began teaching at the YMCA in Regina.  He was provincial champion, but unfortunately he was unable to compete at the Canadian National Championships due to citizenship requirements at the time.  Shinmura Sensei then started his own dojo, Seidokan, named in honor of his club in Yaizu, Japan. His ability to recognize athletic potential in young athletes and help them achieve their goals is unmatched in Saskatchewan. Shinmura Sensei was recognized for his long term commitment to Judo being awarded the inaugural Jim O’Sullivan Memorial Award for Long Term Dedication to Judo in Saskatchewan. 

Lorna Hattum Snider

Sandan-3rd Degree Black Belt
Lorna is NCCP Level 2 Certified Instructor, with over 30 years involvement in the sport.
She is also a National "B" Level Official & National Level "Kata" Judge.  Lorna has an extensive competitive background, winning 2 Canadian National Championships

About our Senseis

Judo teaches us to look for the best possible course of action, whatever the individual circumstances.  Jigoro Kano

Ross Kostron

Yondan-4th Degree Black Belt
Ross is NCCP Level 2 Certified Dojo Instructor, National "A" Level Official & National Level "Kata" Judge and currently the Judo Saskatchewan Chair of Officials. Ross has been involved in coaching at the regional, provincial and national levels. In 2014, he coached the Regina District Saskatchewan Winter Games Team to a gold medal.

Dan Ko

Sandan-3rd Degree Black Belt
Dan began judo in 1984 and is an NCCP Certified Dojo Instructor.  His first club was the College Heights judo club in Prince George, BC where he earned his Shodan.  He moved to the Langford Judo Club near Victoria, BC and obtained his Nidan.  Dan took a break from judo to study Hapkido in Cold Lake, AB.  He left Alberta as a first degree black belt in Hapkido and resumed judo at the University of Manitoba.  Dan moved back to BC where he was recently promoted to Sandan at the Kokoro Dojo in 100 Mile House.  Dan has also trained in judo at the Royal Military College of Canada, Canadian Forces Base Halifax, and with the Vancouver Police Department.  Judo has been an excellent complement to both military and police training.  Now,  Dan enjoys the recreational aspects of judo and spending time on the mats with his two sons: Ben and Alex.

Andrew MacLeod

Nidan-2nd Degree Black Belt
Andrew is NCCP Certified Dojo Instructor.  His interests include learning better ways of teaching judo and studying Kata.  Andrew has recently become a certified as a National Level "Kata" Judge.  Andrew brings over 20 years of Judo experience from Saskatoon to the club.

About our Senseis

"If there is effort, there is always accomplishment"  Jigoro Kano

Aidan Skaf

Nidan-2nd Degree Black Belt

Aidan is NCCP Certified Dojo Instructor and works closely with our High Performance athletes.

Aidan competed in 6 national championships as a member of the Judo Saskatchewan Provincial Team.  In 2016,  he finished 7th as a member of the Junior Pan American.  In 2017 he was a member of the Junior European tour team.

Russ Burton

Shodan--1st Degree Black Belt
Russ started judo with with his kids at the  Battleford Judo club. It was a great way to have family time, as well as develop physically and mentally. Russ quickly stepped us as an assistant coach on the mats, coaching and running sessions with the Battleford Senseis.  Russ became involved in provincial events when his kids started competing.  He participated in high performance sessions with the provincial coaches, learning valuable skills as a participant and parent. Russ is currently working towards his Dojo Assistant coaching certification, and also volunteers at competitions as a Provincial Level B referee. 

April Korchinski

Shodan--1st Degree Black Belt

April Korchinski started Judo in 1985 at the Regina YMCA Judo club, earning her Sankyu (green belt) before taking a break from the sport.  In 2011, April returned to the mats at Senshudokan Judo Club, where she trained, coached and earned her Shodan in 2018.  With the recent closure of Senshudokan, April has now become part of the the Avonhurst Judo Club.  She is a National Kata judge, and a trained Level 2 Dojo Instructor and she is a member of the Judo Saskatchewan Board of Directors. She enjoys coaching, volunteering and continues to compete in newaza and kata competitions.



About our Senseis

"The purpose of the study of Judo is to perfect yourself and contribute to society." Jigoro Kano

Adam MacDonald

Ikkyu-Brown Belt

Adam joined Judo in 2015  because his son was involved and Adam was at every practice sitting on the sidelines anyway. He decided to give it a try and has loved every part of it. If a favourite is required, he would pick coaching the adult rec class. He insists that judo is for everyone and enjoys the pace that takes into account “none of us are going to the Olympics and most of us have to work tomorrow.”  His new adventure includes helping out with the new and developing weightlifting program.

Don Wilson

Ikkyu-Brown Belt

Don started Judo in 2016 looking to try an activity for recreation and fitness.  He is an assistant coach for the recreational adult class and volunteers as a timekeeper at local Judo tournaments.

Don is proof that you can start learning Judo anytime.

Ryan Durning

Ikkyu-Brown Belt
Ryan's passion for martial arts started when he was a  child.  It started with Tae-Kwon Do and he reached first degree black belt. He went on to try a few more martial arts over the years, but became fascinated with Judo when he started at the YMCA in 2011. He moved over to the Avonhurst Club where he enrolled his oldest daughter, and enjoyed a few seasons on the mats together. After taking a long hiatus, he returned with his youngest daughter for the U-8 class and was instantly hooked again. 
Ryan is currently working towards his coaching certifications and advancing his Judo skills and helping out with the new weightlifting program.