International Zen Karate Association
From the "1967 Western Canadian Centennial Championships". http://zenshack.net/martialarts/photogallery/zenkarateprogram1967.jpg Food for thought... PS, had a few e-mails recently from Master B. Leishman who happened upon my site. (no he did not give me the above link/ picture). He liked the TKF history page and felt it was very thorough... :D I'm always amazed at how this thing has developed wings of it's own. Just when I think interest is fading, boom, I get an e-mail from someone like this.

hi there grasshopper ~ I can't read the document on Simon. The print is way too small. Is there an easy way to enlarge it? Or is there a larger version anywhere else online that can be easily accessed? Any help would be much appreciated, as I'd really like to read that thing. Many kind regards ~ Yen Hui

RD

Hello RD! Thanks for those helpful hints. They're much appreciated! The first tip did the trick and I have now read the document. Very interesting, and I wonder what ever happened to the Zen-Karate Assoc.? Cheers! ~ Yen Hui :D

I had found a PDF publication a while back talking about Zen Karate. Seems there are still a lot of places that practice it or a flavour of it anyway. That PDF also attributed O E Simon as the founder. I'll see if I can track down the link agian and post it here for you.

Ah ok took me a bit to find it again: “Zen Karate is primarily a Japanese Okinawan style that was founded by Master Olaf Simon and is headed up in Canada by Sensei Dwight Scheer out of Saskatoon. Zen Karate also incorporates many of the Korean style Tae kwon Do techniques, mainly the kicking. Sensei Dwight Scheer found that the Karate kicking techniques were somewhat limited, where the Taekwon Do kicks were far more varied and versatile. Zen Karate also utilizes techniques from Aiki Jitsu and Judo as we do many joint locks and throws. Again, it sort of lends itself to anybody because in certain styles if you’re not a good kicker there is nothing for you, or if you’re not a good puncher there is nothing for you. It’s a true eclectic style that allows a person to excel at their strengths, while improve their weaknesses as well. My main influence in Kickboxing was Peter ‘Sugarfoot’ Cunningham, seven time world kickboxing champion. I had the opportunity to train with him for several years up in Edmonton. The Kickboxing system that I use today is largely what he taught me then and also based on what I have picked up along the way.” -Sensei Lyle Cheney (page 8 KickStart magazine) http://www.kickstartmag.ca/PDF/KickStart_Dec_2005.pdf Nice looking website and that magazine is an interesting read as well.

Like Current Student stated above, I believe Dwight Sheer is now the President (something?) of it, not sure how or when he took over from Grand Master Simon?! I have seen a 2005 issue of this program titled "The 27th Annual Western Canadian Karate Championship" that has an interview with Master M. Hilbig in it.

The way it is written it could be interpreted several different ways... On the first read you might think it implies that Olaf lived at the Embassy in Peking in 1889-1901 were he was taught the MOo system by members of his family... That is obviously impossible considering it would make GMS over 116+ years old... So on second analysis it could mean that a family member of his lived at the Embassy (which one?), in Peking during those years and then fled China before the Boxer uprising... teaching Olaf sometime later in the MOO system This makes more sense... This is one of the big problems with Olaf Simon's history because he writes his sentances in such a way that everything is interpretive, convoluted and vague... I also think that this is not a mistake... he writes this way on purpose

Sheer's
Dwight Sheer was a very early student of GMS. This art was called Karate when Dwight got his blackbelt. He runs a martial arts school in Saskatoon. He is still actively involved in teaching classes. His son Troy is in his 30s and is also involved in the school. They teach some BJJ and Muay Thai as well as the art that they refer to as "Zen Karate" and which, I understand, bears at least some resemblance to what TKF now calls Moh Kempo.

Hey Gadds, not sure what you are doing but thats twice I have had to fix/ delete your "double/ identical" posts... Thanks for the info on Dwight Sheer.

Hello all Dwight Sheer was a very early student of GMS. This art was called Karate when Dwight got his blackbelt. in the next day or two I am going to look for the page # of "walking a tigers path". Master Hilbigs biogrophy. I am certain (99% anyways) that Master Dwight Scheer Trained under master Margie) either exclusivley or with GM Simon as well. Her book is very cool, as is she, but the book is very sketchy when it comes to her time spent with GM Simon. sifu shawn

The book is sketchy when it comes to her time spent with Simon because she does not want to be associated with him. He is laughed at in real martial arts circles. Even if he is known as the "Black Cougar", ROFL!

Where is Gandalf when you need him?

TKF_PHS The book is sketchy when it comes to her time spent with Simon because she does not want to be associated with him. Just curious when the last time you spoke with Master Hilbig was. I'll be seeing her in about a month and a half . sifu shawn