Our Instructors
Robinson’s Karate Schools currently has 19 professionally trained staff members. Each and every instructor is held to the highest standards of teaching the Martial Arts and each has obtained a minimum rank of Black Belt (although most of our instructors are second degree black belts or higher). Our instructors are aware of the different wants and needs that a five year old student may have versus a 50 year old student. Instructors at Robinson’s Karate Schools are constantly tested, trained and taught the newest and most successful teaching methods through various seminars, weekly training sessions and guest seminars. Our instructors take pride in teaching others how to improve themselves, as well as sharing their skills with others. We are proud of our instructors!!!
Below are the brief bio’s for just a few of our instructors…
Master Al Robinson
Master Al Robinson began his journey in the Martial Arts in 1978 under Walter Jungworth. He has trained under many notable instructors over the past 25 years including: Ron Yamanaka, John Atkinson and David Chong. In 2002 Master Robinson was graded to Fifth Degree Black Belt by Tenth Degree Black Belt Shihan Greg Tearney from Syracuse, New York. Students at Robinson’s Karate Schools flock to Master Robinson’s classes because of his patience and incredible knowledge of Martial Arts. In 1991, Master Robinson founded the first Robinson’s Karate Schools in Newmarket, Ontario and the RKS organization has now grown into four successful locations. Master Robinson looks forward to Robinson’s Karate Schools continuing to grow and influence members in all the communities where Robinson’s Karate Schools can be found.
Chris Robinson
Fourth Degree Black Belt Chris Robinson began his formal training in 1992 under his father Master Al Robinson. Chris has grown into a Martial Arts business consultant and seminar teacher holding seminars all over Canada, the United States, England and Australia. In 2004 Chris won the “EFC Humanitarian Award” for his outstanding contributions to the Martial Arts industry. Chris is a member of the Board of Directors for EFC, which is the largest Martial Arts consulting organization in the world. In 2004 Chris was chosen to be the first Canadian representative for the Royler Gracie – David Adiv Jiu-Jitsu Organization. Chris currently spends eight to ten hours per week training in RGDA Jiu-Jitsu and currently holds the rank of Brown Belt, under Royler Gracie and David Adiv.
Chris Robinson has been awarded the 2009 EFC President of the Year Award.
Trevor Lewis
Trevor Lewis started his training in kempo karate in 1986 and now holds a fourth degree black belt under Robinson’s Karate Schools. He also holds a third degree black belt in classical jiu-jitsu under the Canadian Jiu-Jitsu Council, and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Royler Gracie – David Adiv. In 1992 Trevor competed for Canada at the World Jiu-Jitsu Tournament in Argentina where he placed 1st for Team and 4th for Individuals. He has spent a small amount of time also studying boxing, escrima, thai chi and muay thai. Trevor enjoys training once a week with his full contact coach, Doug Smith.
Michael Cameron
Michael Cameron is a fourth degree Black Belt who began his training with Robinson’s Karate Schools in 1991. He is a long time student who is very dedicated to the martial arts. He became an instructor at Robinson’s Karate Schools when he received his first degree black belt in 1994. Michael is the director of operations for Robinson’s Karate Schools and its four locations. Michael began studying Royler Gracie-David Adiv Jiu-Jitsu in 2002 and currently holds the rank of Purple Belt.
Nathan Pilon
Nathan Pilon began his training at Robinson’s as a 13th birthday present in October of 1993. Now 27, he holds a third degree black belt in karate and has taught in all of the Robinson’s/Lewis’ locations over the years. Nathan is now the full time instructor at Lewis’ Karate in Barrie. He has also been learning the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2004 and has earned his Blue Belt.
2005 EFC Outstanding Program Director Award
Jason Figliano
In 1999 Jason Figliano joined the Robinson’s Karate School Family of schools by registering at Lewis’ Karate Schools in Barrie, Ontario as an existing Blue Belt. After working his way through the belt system, Jason received his Third Degree Black Belt in 2007 under Trevor Lewis. In April of 2009, Jason also received his Brown Belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu from Master Royler Gracie and Professor David Adiv. Jason has been an outstanding instructor since 2001 and currently teaches both Karate and RGDA Jiu-Jitsu at Robinson’s Karate School Bolton location. Jason’s recent tournament victories include:
2009 Toronto Jiu Jitsu Classic- Brown Belt Division - Gold Medal
2009 MMA Expo Jiu Jitsu Tournament- Brown/Blackbelt Division - Silver Medal
Donny Rumble Cage Super Fights
Jason Figliano (RGDA) vs. Peter Nolan (XTreme Cotoure)
Saturday June 27, 2009 - Runner up
Joslins Canadian Grappling Open
2002: First: Beginner Heavyweight Gi, Third: Beginner Heavyweight No Gi
2003: Fourth: Novice Heavyweight Gi, Fourth: Novice Heavyweight No Gi
2004: Third: Novice Heavyweight Gi, Third: Novice Heavyweight No Gi
2005: Third: Advance Heavyweight Gi, Third Advance Heavyweight No Gi
2006: Third: Advance Light Heavyweight Gi, Third Advance Light Heavyweight No Gi
Canadian National Jiu-Jitsu Open
2003: First: Black Belt Continuous Sparring, Third: Novice Heavyweight Grappling
2004: First: Black Belt Continuous Sparring, Third: Novice Heavyweight Gi
2005: First: Black Belt Continuous Sparring, Third: Advanced Gi and No Gi
World Jiu-Jitsu Championships
2004 Team Canada Member
Light Heavyweight Division, Bronze, Team Canada Gold
2009 EFC Outstanding Program Director award
2005 EFC Outstanding Program Director award
Tyler Reid
As the first student of Robinson’s Karate Schools, Ty Reid has seen the school grow from the original group of 7 to over 500 members that he currently teaches and trains with at the Newmarket location. After training under Master Al Robinson at the age of 6; he became (at the time) Robinson’s youngest ever Black Belt achieving the rank in May of 1995. Since then he has continued his journey towards Black Belt excellence now holding the rank of Fourth Degree Black Belt.
2009 EFC Most Inspiring Instructor Award
Ian Cockburn
Ian has been a student of Robinson’s since 1995. He began assisting with classes very early in his training, and officially became an instructor in 2000. His love for training is surpassed only by his love for teaching. He currently holds the rank of second degree black belt and trains under Chris Robinson as a blue belt in Royler Gracie David Adiv Jiu-Jitsu.
Bravado Jiu Jitsu Tournament- 2nd place Blue belt division
2009 EFC Most Inspiring Instructor award
Paul Abel
Paul Abel has been training various martial arts since 1983 when he started boxing as a teenager. In 1993 he discovered Muay Thai and fought several matches using both amateur and professional rules. In 1994 Paul started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Paul trained and fought as a serious competitor, winning challenge matches, and club, regional and later international titles. Paul has had the unique opportunity to train privately with legends such as the Machado brothers and Gokor Chivichyan. In November 2005, Paul became an RGDA representative and a student of Royler Gracie and David Adiv.
Paul travels to David’s academy in New Jersey 3-4 times a year to train privately with David, as well as in his academy. Paul has had the privilege to teach for David on several occasions. Paul takes the opportunity to train with Royler when he comes to Canada and attends all of his seminars as well as trains privately with him. In June of 2007, at David’s academy in New Jersey, Royler Gracie and David Adiv promoted Paul Abel to the rank of Black Belt. Paul is the first Canadian to be promoted to Black Belt by Royler and David.
Chad King
Gracie Jiu Jitus Blackbelt, Chad King has been training in the martial arts since 1989. Chad started his martial arts training by enrolling in a chito-ryu school and training there from 1989 to 2002, earning his Blackbelt in the Karate system. On September 13, 1999, Chad began his Brazillian Jiu Jitsu training under Dan and Syl Moroney; in 2004, he began training under Master Royler Gracie and Prof. David Adiv. More recently, in April of 2008, Chad received his Blackbelt from Royler Gracie and David Adiv in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Chad is an outstanding instructor who teaches Gracie Jiu Jitsu at our Newmarket headquarters location.
TeamRKS & TeamLKS...
Canada's Official RGDA Schools
Robinson's Karate Schools proudly offers training in the fighting art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as taught by Royler Gracie & David Adiv (RGDA). Program details, as well as information about the tradition and history of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are found on TeamRKS.com!
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