OTTAWA JUDO CLUB INSTRUCTORS
SENSEI BRIAN KALSEN (Technical Director/Founder)
Judo Experience:
- Began practicing Judo in 1966
- Sensei Brian founded the Ottawa Judo Club in 1988
- The founder of the Ottawa Judo Club, Chief Instructor and Technical Director for the past 25 years
- Black Belt – 4th Degree (Yondan)
- National Coaching Certified as Competition Development Coach (NCCP 3)
- National Coaching Certified as Judo Dojo Instructor (NCCP 2)
Favourite Technique: Okuri Ashi Harai
Notable Achievements:
- Currently the President of Judo Ontario
- Judo Canada Presidential Recognition Award 2019 Sharing some well deserved recognition Judo Canada Recognition Award
- Government of Canada Award for Outstanding service contribution as a volunteer with Judo Canada in 2011
- Awarded the Syl Apps Special Achievement Award by the Minister of Health Promotion for distinguished contribution in Sport in 2006
- Award Recipient of the Joseph Lestrange Award given for Outstanding Contribution to Judo in Ontario in 2005 and 2007
- Judo Canada Board of Director (Director for Ontario) 2016 to Present
- Member of the Ontario High Performance Sport Initiative Committee (OHPSI) 2012 to present.
- Chair of the Judo Canada Awards and Recognition Committee 2014 to present
- Member of the Quest for Gold Athlete Assistance Program.
- First Vice-President of Judo Ontario 2014 – 2016
- President of Judo Ontario 2010 – 2014
- Vice President of Judo Ontario September 2008 to 2010
- Quest for Gold Chairman for Judo Ontario 2006 to present. Awards athletes financial assistance to enhance their training development
- Coaching Coordinator of Judo Ontario 2004 to 2008
- Provincial Coach for the Ontario Provincial Team from 2000 to 2007
- Member of the High Performance Committee of Judo Ontario from 2002 to 2008
- Represented Judo Ontario Internationally as Provincial Coach at the U.S. Open 2004 to 2007
- Board of Director for Judo Ontario for 2004 to present
- Judo Canada Editorial Committee (Judo Reference Manual for Coach/Instructor Manual) 2005
- Judo Ontario Junior Development Chair 2006
- National Coaching Certified Level 2
- Certified Personal Trainer through the Sport Performance Institute
- Tournament/Technical Director of Ontario Open/Hatashita International 2006, 2007, 2008
- Tournament Chairman/Director of the 2008 Juvenile/Junior Canadian Nationals 2008
- Team Manager of Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse Yukon 2007
- Produced multiple provincial and National medalists over the past 2 decades.
Thoughts on Judo: Judo is a vehicle to help people reach their potential both physically and mentally.
Favourite Quote: “We do not cease to play because we grow old, we grow old because we cease to play” ~ George Bernard Shaw
SENSEI HOWARD DUBOIS
Judo Experience: 23 Years
Teaching Experience:
After 15 years in Aikido, Sensei Howard started with the Ottawa Judo Club in 1994. He has been the OJC Gokyo and kata instructor for 15 years.
Favourite Technique: Any sutemi
Notable Achievements:
- National C Kata Judge – Nage No Kata
- Regional Director – Judo Ontario East Region 2007 to 2010
- Member of Team Ontario at the Senior Canadian Judo Kata Championships in the Nage No Kata division 2006
- Board of Directors – Judo Ontario East Region 1996 to 2006
- National Coaching Certified Level 2
Thoughts on Judo: Judo is for life – learn to learn with your eyes, ears and body.
Favourite Quote: “A journey of a thousand mile starts with a single step.”
~ Lao Tzu
SENSEI MICHELLE BUCKINGHAM
Judo Experience:
- Michelle is a 3 time Olympian
- Inducted in to the Judo Canada Hall of Fame
- Competed in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona
- Competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta
- Competed in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney
- World Championships Paris 1997 – 5th Place
- World Championship Chiba 1995 – 5th Place
- Coaching Competitive Judo Program at the OJC for 1 year
- Nation Coaching Program Certification – NCCP DA & NCCP DI (NCCP 2)
Favourite Technique:
Notable Achievements: 3 Time Olympian
Thoughts on Judo:
Favourite Quote: :”Its not the will to win that matters-everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.
~ “Bear” Bryant
ALEC BRILLON
Judo Experience:
Favourite Technique:
Notable Achievements:
Thoughts on Judo:
Favourite Quote:
MICHEL CHEVRIER
Judo Experience:
- Sensei Michel started judo at the age of nine in his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie. He practiced until the age of 16 and then went on to pursue his education and achieved his PhD in comparative literature
- After having 3 children Michel enrolled his whole family into judo where they climbed up the belt rankings together
- Dr. Chevrier brings with him 40 years of professional experience teaching adults in various settings including universities, colleges and currently the Government of Canada House of Commons
Favourite Technique: Harai Goshi and Yama Arashi
Notable Achievements:
- PhD Comparative Literature 2004
- Various Publications
- 40 years Teaching Experience
Thoughts on Judo: Sensei Michel believes that judo fits perfectly with his belief in goal-oriented lifelong learning, a concept he applies to his students. Dr. Chevrier believes that reaching the rank of Black Belt is not when the your judo journey ends it’s when the learning starts.
Favourite Quote: “Movement is Bliss” ~ Professor Jigoro Kano