Our Members
Our community is currently established in Australia, India, New Zealand and Switzerland, with practitioners who share the same passion for Chidokan Karate.
This page introduces the people who have contributed to shaping our community. Without regard
to hierarchy, these members uphold the spirit and values of Chidokan and help us stay connected internationally.
The Chidokai International Community is always open — new members may be invited to join and contribute to our shared journey.
Members
Mark Lansky
Coordinator
5th Dan JKC
Instructor Switzerland Geneva
Strictly Chidokai for 35 years, Mark Lansky is a Geneva-based instructor. He has been instrumental in the development of the Chidokai international network since 2007.
He is a firm believer in the universal ethics of Karate-do. From this perspective, all the hard training, sweat and perseverence might just be side-effects of commitment to an ideal.
Patrick Baeriswyl
Deputy Coordinator:
6th Dan JKC
Instructor Switzerland
Geneva
Patrick Baeriswyl, with over 47 years of practice was a multiple-time Swiss Elite vice champion (1984–1994), former national team member, EKF Judge, Swiss Referee Committee member.
To celebrate his 60th birthday in 2025, he took part in the Swiss Shobu Ippon Kumite Elite Open Championship and was honored to place 3rd — a result made possible through the spirit and technique of Chidokai.
Jack Sims MNZM
Jack Sims first became involved in Martial Arts training at the age of seventeen (1958). Studied Judo, Karate-do and Aikido. Graduated from the Japan Chidokan Hombu Dojo Instructors course in 1967. Founded the first Chidokan dojo outside of Japan in 1968. Student of the late Chidokai founder Sasaki Sensei (1967 – 1992).
Competed and medaled at the First World Karate-do Championships (WUKO) 1970. Recipiant of MNZM King's Order of Merit in 2023 for services to Karate.
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Simon Merrick
Simon Merrick commenced training under Kancho Sensei Jack Sims in 1985. He developed a passion for karate, and now stresses how fortunate he has been to have had such high-level Sensei and Sempai to guide him throughout the years. He has competed and been placed in regional and National competitions in New Zealand in both Kata and Kumite.
He started refereeing in 1994 and completed both Continental and World Refereeing courses, qualifying as WKF Referee (Kata A and Kumite A) and refereeing at World level. Until 2023 he held positions on both the New Zealand Referee Council and the Oceania Referee Council.
He continues to train and learn in the Chidokai style.
Neil Parker
Mahesh Kushwaha
Grant Holland
Neil Parker began his Chidokan Karate-do journey in 1974. He has dedicated over five decades to training and teaching at Chidokan dojos across New Zealand. He has competed successfully in National and International tournaments in both Kata and Kumite, as well as coaching and refereeing at a National level.
Neil is the first of Kancho Jack Sims’ students to attain the rank of Hachidan and serves as Shihan of Chidokan New Zealand.
Throughout his lifelong study of karate and his deep commitment to the Chidokan organisation, he has been guided by the dojo’s five tenets: self-improvement, sincerity, endeavour, respect, and restraint.
Mahesh Kushwaha is the founder of the Shotokan Ryu Chidokai Karate-Do Federation India (SCKFI). He trained under renowned instructors such as Mikio Yahara, Hiroshi Nakajima, and other senior Shotokan masters. He is the General Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Shotokan Karate Association (in India's second biggest state) and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Karate India Organization, India's main federation.
He plays an active national role in expanding and strengthening karate practice and education throughout India.
Grant Holland commenced his Karate training in the early 1980’s initially in a combined interest with his father.
Sempai’s include Neil Parker Shihan and more recently Kancho Jack Sims.
Luc Jackson
Coming soon
Raphael Fraser
4th Dan
Instructor Australia
Raphael Fraser began training in karate in 1979, at the age of eight, under Kancho sensei Jack Sims. Despite substantially interrupted training from 1986, a returned commitment in 2015, again with the guidance of Sims sensei, has seen him find a renewed appreciation of karate-do, and further progress in the art.
Christian
Barthélémy
Deputy Coordinator:
4th Dan JKC
Instructor
Switzerland
Geneva
Christian Barthélémy, with a long-standing competitive and technical background, was an active competitor from 1980 to 1990, Swiss Champion all Categories in 1985 and Place of honour at the Japanese "Rengokai" championship in the same year. He represented Switzerland internationally, including as a member of the Swiss National Team. He later served as an EKF judge and remains dedicated to transmitting and promoting traditional karate.
Chris Lea
4th Dan
Instructor
New Zealand
Chris Lea has been practicing Chidokan Karate since 2001 which extends to a teaching and supporting instructor role. He maintains the traditional values and etiquette passed onto him and continues to teach these core aspects to students today.
Simon Rosser
4th Dan
Instructor
New Zealand
Simon Rosser initially started training in 1980. Business commitments took him in other directions but then in 2002 after reconnecting with Grant Holland Sensei a renewed surge of interest brought him back to the dojo.
Sempai’s include Holland Sensei, Parker Sensei and Merrick Sensei. Currently serves as a senior Instructors at the Avondale dojo, Auckland New Zealand.
Phillip Tanner
4th Dan
Instructor New Zealand
Philip Tanner started training in 2003, currently is the dojocho at the Takapuna New Zealand dojo. He continues to teach and train alongside his much-respected Sempai Neil Parker Shihan.
Cam Darley
4th Dan
New Zealand
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Cam Darley first became involved in Chidokan Karate-do at the age of 13 (1986). Completed the Chidokan Fuku Shidoin certificate at New Lynn Hombu Dojo in 1990. Student of NZ Chidokan founder Kancho Sims Sensei and Shihandai Neil Parker Sensei (1986 - Present).
Competed and medalled in the NZ National Karate (Under 18 UNZKO) Championships, Kumite & Kata 1990. Competed in the 3rd Junior APUKO Championships 1991, Kumite.
Currently serves as Police Officer in the NZ Police.
Alexandre Poltorak
Deputy Coordinator:
4th Dan JKC
Instructor
Switzerland
Geneva
I have practiced karate since 1994, starting at age 14, following both traditional and competitive paths within Chidokai in Geneva (kata and kumite).
4th Dan JKC in 2018, with over 30 years of practice, karatedō represents for me a discipline of rigor and continuous improvement.
Alongside my work in free software and decentralized technologies, I pursue through Karate-dō a shared discipline of autonomy, where technical mastery supports empowerment and transmission.
Pradeep Anasuri
3rd Dan
New
Zealand
Pradeep Anasuri started training at New Lynn Hombu Dojo in 2001 under the leadership of Kancho Sims and various senior Senseis. He moved to Sydney in 2011 and has continued to train at the Sydney dojo, with a few intermittent breaks. Eternally grateful to all my teachers as the Karate-do principles, guided by the dojo kun, continue to hold a special place at heart and have continuously helped me strive to do and be my best in all stages of my life so far.
3rd Dan JKC
Switzerland
Geneva
Laurent Jornod
Laurent Jornod began practicing Chidokai Karate-Do in 1993. He competed at the national level from 1996 to 2006, including earning medals at the Swiss Elite Championships in team kumite. From 2005 to 2020, he also served as a national referee.
Charlotte
Baeriswyl
3rd Dan JKC
Switzerland
Geneva
Charlotte Baeriswyl began karate in 2002 at the age of 6, alongside her brother, guided by their father, Sempai Patrick Baeriswyl, who passed on to them his passion for this martial art and the explosiveness specific to kumite.
From 2004 to 2019, she took part in regional and national competitions. She earned her 1st Dan in 2015.
Charlotte grew up with the spirit of karate and continues to evolve today through her practice, cultivating strong values: discipline, patience, courage, perseverance, and respect.
Hugo Baeriswyl
2nd Dan JKC
Switzerland
Geneva
Hugo began practicing karate in 2001, at the age of 6. Growing up in a family of karatekas, he developed a deep passion for this martial art from an early age. He earned his first dan in 2015. Between 2003 and 2014, he took part in numerous competitions, mainly at the regional and Swiss levels, in both kumite and kata.
Hugo has always been deeply committed to the principles of Budo Chidokai, which have guided his practice, discipline, and personal development.
Edward McKenzie
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2nd Dan
Switzerland/ UK
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Coming soon
Sacha Lansky
2nd Dan
Switzerland/
Germany
Coming soon
Nicolas R.
2nd Dan JKC
Switzerland
Geneva
1st Dan JKC
Switzerland
Geneva
Marco Silari
Nicolas R. has been practicing karate for 25 years.
A dedicated member of the club, he also serves as its treasurer and supports the Chidokai BIT.
Always positive and approachable, he contributes greatly to the life of the dojo and embodies the spirit of the Way with commitment, enthusiasm, and camaraderie
Marco Silari started to practice karate rather late in his life, at the age of 39, with Nakajima Sensei in Geneva, and obtained his Shodan at the age of 60. The spirit that drives him in the practice of karate is based on the principles that you are never at the end of your path, there is always something new to learn, there are always new discoveries to be made, there are always ways to improve yourself and your skills, in karate as in any other aspect of life.
María-José Canonica-Marqués
1st Dan JKC
Switzerland
Geneva
María-José Canonica-Marqués began practicing Karate-dō in 2005.
She quickly developed a deep interest in the traditions, legends, and cultural wonders of Japan.
This journey led her to explore essential ideas such as kaizen and subtle concepts like ichi-go ichi-e and wabi-sabi, among many others.
She expresses her heartfelt gratitude to Karate-dō, and to the senseis, senpais, and friends who have accompanied her along this remarkable path on the Way.