Black Belt Members

Les Nielsen

(Head Instructor)

Rank: San Dan

Testing History:
Sho Dan 1995
Ni Dan2000
San Dan2005

Started training at South Arm dojo February 16, 1988 under Shihan Stuart Corrigal. 

In 1994 I took over the South Delta Kyokushin Karate Club from Pete Fradley as he was moving to Calgary.

I have been an instructor for 14 years and training for over 20 years. 

I have attended numerous summer camps and winter camps starting at 1990’s Summer Camp.

Fought in 5 Canadian Open Tournaments ~ Senior Division.  Placed 2nd in 1990 and 1st in 1993.

I did my Shodan in 1995, completing my 10 man and Five years later in 2000 completed my 20 man and received my Ni Dan.  In 2005 attended my 30 man, but after only 6 fights had to withdraw with two broken ribs.  As I was 55 years old, fighting was not a requirement and I received my San Dan. 

I have International referee certificate and Judged in the 2003 World Tournament in Japan.  In preparation for this I also did Judging in Montreal and in New York this same year.

 Now I currently Judge or Referee in local tournaments.

I started the Kick-A- Thon, which is the IKOKC`s major fundraiser just completed the 4th year.

I have 6 black belts instructors that help me run a successful Dojo. With the administration and paper work being done by my wife.



Greg Creech

Rank: Ni Dan

Testing History:
Sho Dan1988
Ni Dan1996

1979
  • Started karate in Richmond at St.Anne’s Church with Tony Severs
  • Training was hard back then, a different kind of hard, hard knocks. There wasn’t a night when I didn’t come out of class without a bruise or a limp
1982
  • Stuart Corigal took me to a karate tournament. I got into the ring with my opponent and the ref gestured to wards us to begin.  I came out kicking and punching, full contact of course, flags and whistles went off. I looked around pleased with myself, but to my shock I’m being penalized.  We continued same thing, the ref points to me and says that I was disqualified.  As I leave the ring I look at Stuart, with a big smile on his face and tells me that I did great, and oh yes this is a non-contact points tournament.
1983
  • Left St. Anne’s to go train at Soutn Arm where Stuart was starting a Dojo.
1986
  • Sosai Mas Oyama comes to Richmond for Tournament and training, what a great honour.
1988
  • Fought my 10 man shodan test in kelowna
  • Was asked to go fight in Australia at the fist commonwealth tournament
1994
  • Take over club in Ladner from Pete Fradley
  • When we sarted to offer kids classes there was a line up down the hall.  Our space was small so we had to decide how many we could accommodate. Due to demand we added another cass.
1996
  • Applied for nidan faught twenty man, passed
  • Between the Australia, Hawaii, trained many times with Shihan Bobby Lowe.
  • In 1999, and 2007 went to the World Tournament


Mike Sandford

Rank: Ni Dan

Testing History:
Shotokan Sho Dan1986
Sho Dan2000
Ni Dan2005

  • Attended various summer and winter camps from 1994 onward
  • Attended two Shihan Bobby Lowe self defence seminars 1996, 2000
  • Attended world championship in Tokyo 1999 and corner judged in 2003 and 2007.
  • Have attended multiple black belt conferences and training sessions.


Bill Dodds

Rank: Ni Dan

Testing History:
Sho Dan2001
Ni Dan2005

I have been active most of my life in coaching my 3 kids in various sports, participating in sports and a regular jogger to maintain what I thought was a high fitness level.

At age 49, I was looking for a new activity as jogging was taking its tool on my body. I noticed an ad in a local publication for Karate with classes only a few blocks from my house. I signed up and attended my first class the same night in January 1996.
I have attended several summer camps and a few winter camps plus the following:

  • 3 world tournaments in Tokyo, Japan
  • 3 Brown/Black belt conferences
  • Judged in numerous Lower Mainland clicker and knockdown tournaments
  • Participated in 2 Kata tournaments, team and individual
  • Judged in Women’s World Championships in New York
  • Hawaii seminar and Calgary seminar

I am still training twice but mostly three times per week, regularly teaching in the kid’s class and take my turn in teaching the adults class. Kyokushin Karate continues to be a challenge physically to constantly improve my karate and mentally to develop a deeper understanding of the Martial Way.



Scott Somers

Rank: Sho Dan

Testing History:
Sho Dan2005

I started training December of 1995 at the age of 10. In 1996 I competed in my first full contact tournament, where I learned the importance of keeping my hands up. I spent the next few years training on a constant basis, assisting in the junior class, and offering assistance to the dojo where possible. In December 2004 i submitted my application for shodan and received it the following summer. I am actively teaching in both the junior and senior classes and attend camps on a regular basis.


Georgina Salisbury

Rank: Sho Dan

Testing History:
Sho Dan2006

  • Attended various summer and winter camps from 1994 onward
  • August 1996 Bobby Lowe self defence seminars
  • March 1998 Silver Lake winter camp
  • August 2000  Bobby Lowe self defence seminars in Hawaii
  • March 2004 winter camp silver lake
  • October 2004 attended Banff black belt conference
  • January 2005 Rocky mountain camp
  • August 2005 summer camp Ashton Creek
  • October 2006 Banff black belt conference
  • August 2007 summer camp Ashton Creek