Our Instructors

Chris Robinson and Royler Gracie 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…

Kyoshi Al Robinson

Kyoshi 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 2010, Kyoshi Robinson was awarded his 6th degree black belt. In 2002 Kyoshi Robinson was graded to Fifth Degree Black Belt by Tenth Degree Black Belt Hanshi Greg Tearney from Syracuse, New York. Students at Robinson’s Karate Schools flock to Kyoshi Robinson’s classes because of his patience and incredible knowledge of Martial Arts. In 1991, Kyoshi Robinson founded the first Robinson’s Karate Schools in Newmarket, Ontario and the RKS organization has now grown into four successful locations. Kyoshi 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.

Henshi Chris Robinson

Fifth Degree Black Belt Chris Robinson began his formal training in 1992 under his father Kyoshi 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 Black Belt, under Royler Gracie and David Adiv.

Chris also trains in Muay Thai under Mauricio Veio and Andre Dida of Evolacao Muay Thai, who are also instructors for Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Murilo “Ninja” Rua.

MMA Conditioning Coach Certification – Core Certification: Burn with Kearns

Chris Robinson has been awarded the 2009 EFC President of the Year Award.

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 five locations. Michael began studying Royler Gracie-David Adiv Jiu-Jitsu in 2002 and in 2010 was awarded his Brown Belt in BJJ.

MMA Conditioning Coach Certification – Core Certification: Burn with Kearns

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:

Brazillian Jiu Jitsu/Grappling Tournaments
2010- ISGA Advanced No Gi Heavyweight- Gold Medal
2010- Copa Ontario Heavyweight Brown Belt Gi and No Gi division- Gold
2010: Abu Dhabi North American Trials – Purple,Brown and Blackbelt division- Bronze
2009 Toronto Jiu Jitsu Classic- Brown Belt Division – Gold Medal
2009 MMA Expo Jiu Jitsu Tournament- Brown/Blackbelt Division – Silver Medal
2006: Joslins – Third: Advance Light Heavyweight Gi, Third Advance Light Heavyweight No Gi
2005: Joslins – Third: Advance Heavyweight Gi, Third Advance Heavyweight No Gi
2004: Joslins – Third: Novice Heavyweight Gi, Third: Novice Heavyweight No Gi
2003: Joslins – Fourth: Novice Heavyweight Gi, Fourth: Novice Heavyweight No Gi
2002: Joslins – First: Beginner Heavyweight Gi, Third: Beginner Heavyweight No Gi

CJA/Karate Blackbelt Sparring Tournaments
2005: First: Black Belt Continuous Sparring, Third: Advanced Gi and No Gi
2004: First: Black Belt Continuous Sparring, Third: Novice Heavyweight Gi
2003: First: Black Belt Continuous Sparring, Third: Novice Heavyweight Grappling

Donny Rumble Cage Super Fights
Jason Figliano (RGDA) vs. Peter Nolan (XTreme Coutoure)
Saturday June 27, 2009 – Runner Up

World Jiu-Jitsu Championships
2004 Team Canada Member
Light Heavyweight Division, Bronze, Team Canada Gold

Awards
2009 EFC Outstanding Program Director
2005 EFC Outstanding Program Director

MMA Conditioning Coach Certification – Core Certification: Burn with Kearns

Tyler Reid

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. Tyler also holds the rank of blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

MMA Conditioning Coach Certification – Core Certification: Burn with Kearns

2009 EFC Most Inspiring Instructor Award

Trevor Lewis

Having begun his training in the martial arts in 1986, Trevor Lewis currently holds four Black Belts in four different styles. He has a 5th Degree in kempo Karate, 3rd Degree in classical Jui jitsu, !st Degree in Shaolin Kempo Karate. He competed for Canada (1992) in Argentina Mar del Plata in Classical Jiu Jitsu, and started his training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1996, earning his Black Belt in September 2008. He received his Professor stripe 18 months later in 2010. Trevor also boxed for one year at News Boys Boxing Club, has been an active kickboxer for 6 years, and has added Muay Thai to his repertoire for over two years. He has also studied tai chi and escrima, and trained in Brazil at the Gracie Humatia Academy in Rio De Janeiro. Trevor has competed for many years in sport karate in Canada and the United states.

MMA Conditioning Coach Certification – Core Certification: Burn with Kearns

Nathan Pilon

Nathan Pilon began his training at Robinson’s as a 13th birthday present in October of 1993. He now holds a fourth degree black belt in karate and has taught in four of the five 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 in 2010 was awarded his Purple Belt in BJJ.

MMA Conditioning Coach Certification – Core Certification: Burn with Kearns

2005 EFC Outstanding Program Director Award

Professor 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. In 2010, Paul Abel was awarded his first degree from Both Royler and David at the RGDA headquarters in New Jersey.

Professor 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.