Shihan Bertrand

Shihan Bertrand was introduced to martial arts at the age of 11 through his participation in Judo classes.

In the early 80s, living in the Gatineau region, he trained in Shotokan karate with Sensei Denis Beaudoin. After a few years in Gatineau, he returned to the Montreal area.

It was during this time that he started in Kyokushin, and he hasn't stopped since. His initial exposure was with Sensei Chouinard. Following the closure of that dojo, he joined Shihan Pierre Latour in St-Léonard, where he trained for over 15 years and received his 3rd dan in 1996.

He also practiced Okinawan Kobudo for over 10 years with Shihan Pierre Latour and Shihan Andrey Coulombe.

In 1999, he met Shihan Roman Szyrajew, and since then, he trained with him until 2021. In 2003, he obtained his 4th dan. He also received his international judge certificate from Japan in 2005. Through his continuous training and teaching, on May 30, 2010, after a long journey, he achieved his 5th dan, under the watchful eyes of the organization's president from Japan, Kancho Yoshikazu Matsushima, and the Canadian representative, Shihan Roman Szyrajew.

In 2007, he became an equal partner in the Seishin dojo in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, where he taught 3 to 5 days a week. Unfortunately, the dojo had to close its doors in 2015. He then joined Shihan Roman's dojo in Laval, which became the Shinka dojo in 2019.

His love and devotion for Karate have led him to travel around the world, visiting Belgium, Japan, the United States, Australia, and Spain to participate in training camps, seminars, and to serve as a judge in competitions. He also remained actively involved in local events in the Montreal region.