Head Coach

The Powerhouse is headed by Sensei Ramin Emami a 5th degree black belt in Shotokan, who comes with over 27 years of experience in karate and over 20 years of teaching experience (5th dan JSKA, 3rd dan JKA, NCCP and First Aid certified).

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When Sensei Emami was a little boy he would run around kicking, punching and swinging his homemade nunchuks passionately, trying to imitate his childhood hero — Bruce Lee. His desire for learning martial arts and defending himself grew with bullying that he experienced at school and even more when he witnessed a violent revolution going on for months on the streets of his city, Tehran.  Witnessing every violent situation, he walked away frustrated, thinking to himself “Could I possibly fight these people back and defend the defenseless?” (like bruce lee does!) These situations grew his desire for wanting to be strong and capable of defending himself and stand for justice. When he learned that there was a karate dojo close to where he lived, enthusiastically took the news to his parents, hoping that they will support him and will sign him up, so he could pursue his childhood dream.  His dreams was shattered however by his father who went against the idea of him taking up karate, referring to karate as a violent sport!  But, this strong stance and resistance of his father’s only increased his interest and turned his interest into a deep desire to be a black belt one day, so he could show his dad that karate would actually make him a better and more peaceful person.
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Soon after finishing high school he headed east where he believed he could find good schools for martial arts. After traveling to Japan, Korea and Thailand, and looking into a number of martial arts styles his research came to an end when he found himself at the Honbu Dojo - the headquarters of Japan Karate Association - where he believed he finally found the “real-life Bruce Lees” he always dreamed of training with. The amazing skills he witnessed was everything he imagined, and more. It’s no wonder the kid of the revolution turned into a dedicated martial artist that he is today. “When I discovered the JKA and saw karate icons like Yahara, Kagawa or Abe sensei in action it really came together for me, and knew that I am in the right place and that I must stay in Japan for as long as I possibly could” says Sensei.
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Sensei Emami left Japan after several years of training and achieving his 2nd degree black belt. He took his skills to the next level by starting his own dojo and sharing what he had learnt with others. Soon he made a name for himself in Vancouver’s martial arts scene with his unique teaching style, very consistent with they way he was taught in Japan, and began specializing in the Hidden Applications of traditional techniques (Bunkai). Along the way he also trained in Kickboxing and Olympic Wrestling, which helped him with becoming a well-rounded martial artist, but he considers himself being a devout “shotokan” Karate-ka first.  Sensei Emami has returned to Japan several times since he left for further training and to for all his dan examinations.

Although Sport Karate was not his main focus during his training in Japan Sensei does train those who are interested in Sport Karate and prepares them for competition.  One of the highlights of sensei’s experience in sport karate was in World Karate Championships in 2002 (Florida JKA) when he was ranked 4th in Kata and Kumite.

Since 2008 Sensei Emami has open the doors of his dojo to young children - which he considers a new challenge in his career and new passion for himself. “I am now mature enough to be OK with scooping down to the level of young kids, and enjoy training with them - they are the karate masters of the future” he says.

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RESPECT ALL- FEAR NONE