Our Instructors
Rick McGogy, ROKU DAN
Born and raised on Kellar Road in Dryden, Ontario, Rick has been dedicated to martial arts for more than 25 years. He first studied Wadoryu where he received his brown belt in 1985. In 1986 Rick joined Isshinryu Karate and practiced under Sensei Brant Ledoux, Sensei Jim Sapay and Sensei Dave Schultz. He received his Sho Dan in 1990 and continued to practice. Last promoted to Roku Dan in Florida in August 2007 by the UIKA Board.
Rick has been an active member and teacher at Traditional Isshinryu Martial Arts Club since 1989 and a member of the UIKA for many years. This non-profit club teaches Isshinryu karate to children and adults at a local school. Rick is very passionate about practicing and promoting Isshinryu karate in a manner that maintains the integrity of the original form as taught by Master Shimabuku through Sensei Harold Mitchum, Sensei John Ingram, Sensei Cindy Ingram and Sensei Dan Halloway. Rick’s high standards and personal example has been an inspiration to those that cross his path.
Dave Schultz, GO DAN
Born and raised in Dryden , Ontario, I began Karate in 1979, at age 34 under Sensei Riley and received Rokkyu status in August of the same year. My years in Karate saw many changes in Isshin-Ryu affiliations. Starting with the original Canadian Isshin-Ryu, I have been a member, through club affiliation with the I.I.K.A. (Harold Lang), The Professional Isshin-Ryu Karate Federation (Joseph Jennings), Karate Canada (Donald Shapland), culminating with the U.I.K.A. under Sensei Harold Mitchum since October, 1988, under whom I received my final ranking of 5th Dan on September 30, 2000. Under the U.I.K.A affiliation, I have attended many seminars in Florida, Montana, and Dryden. After 30 years of teaching Elementary School I retired in 2002 and at the same time, relinquished Senior Instructor status to my fellow Black Belts.
Ron Dennis, GO DAN
Ron’s interest in karate was sparked when his son Michael (then eleven years old) showed an interest in the sport. Ron would attend Michael’s classes and after a short while decided that rather than sitting and watching, he would participate. Being involved in sports for much of his life, Ron not only started taking the classes, but over the years has progressed to the level of 5th Degree Black Belt (Go-Dan 2003). Ron has volunteered his time over the past twenty years being a very active member/instructor, teaching many students the art of Karate at the Dryden Ontario DOJO. Ron hopes to continue his study into the art of Karate for many years to come. Ron has been a member of the U.I.K.A. since 1990. He has attended many events across Canada and the United States, in particular Florida and Montana. Ron enjoys the camaraderie and fellowship of the many people he has met, trained and trained with over the years.
Brenda McGogy, SAN DAN
Brenda joined the TIMA Karate Club in September 2002. In June 2006 with much hard work and dedication Brenda attained black belt ranking under the direction of Sensei Rick McGogy, Dave Schultz, John Simons and Ron Dennis. June of 2008 Brenda was promoted to Ni Dan.
To enhance the club, in the Fall of 2007, Brenda started a Lil’Dragon’s program for children ages 5 – 7.
As a lifetime member of UIKA Benda attends all the UIKA seminars to insure her students are taught Isshinryu the way Master Shimabuku meant for it to be taught.
Scott Wyder, SAN DAN
Scott was enrolled in Isshin-Ryu karate in 1992 at the young age of 5. Growing up and seeing no change in his skills, his Sensei’s thought that karate was not his forte, but never gave up hope on him. Surprising everyone, Scott kept coming back to karate every year. It was a single summer that changed the minds of the Sensei’s, and karate had clicked with Scott.
Scott kept working hard, taking in his corrections and practicing them, and in April of 2002, 2 months before his 16th birthday, he had received his Sho Dan.
Today, Scott is now a San Dan, and teaches Isshin-Ryu karate the way Master Shimabuku once taught. He has attended numerous UIKA Symposiums, taught self-defense classes at York University in Toronto, and has helped lead various clinics in Dryden. Working with all kinds of ages, Scott sees the potential in everyone, and appreciates hard work and dedication to the sport.
Lhasaja Johnson, SHO DAN
Lhasaja Johnson (McGogy) born in Dryden October 17, 1981 enrolled in karate at age 11. Lhasaja received her Blue Belt Level and then sought out other interests for the next few years. In 2004 she returned to practicing Karate under Sensei Rick McGogy. June 2008 Lhasaja received her Sho Dan. Sensei Lhasaja and Sensei Brenda deliver the Lil’Dragon’s Program.
Mark James Ivanowich, JUNIOR SHO DAN
Mark James Ivanowich was born, raised, and lives in Dryden, Ontario. Marked joined karate at the age of 11 to help build confidence. Once Mark received his yellow belt, he was hooked, now he plans to make martial arts a part of his life. While others of his classes had caught cases of cold feet, he has stuck with it. He is now working toward the next milestone.
Today, Mark’s three rules are concentration, relaxation, and attitude.
Concentrate to help with proper technique, relaxation to help calm him in rough situations, and finding the correct attitude for the situations.
Nolan Yurkiw, JUNIOR SHO DAN
I was born in Dryden June 17th 1998. I joined karate at the age of 5 studying under Sensei Hodgekinson at the Sunset Karate Club. At nine years old, I joined TIMA Karate Club and have been there ever since. October 2011 at 13, I received my Junior Sho Dan belt. I enjoy karate very much and will continue to practice through my school years hoping to gain much more experience and more skill.
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