Shihan Roman Szyrajew

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master. Teacher. Mentor.

DESCRIPTION

Roman Szyrajew is a Kyokushin legend. With more than 50 years of experience in Kyokushin, Shihan Roman oversees the teaching of Kyokushin Karate within his organization and regularly teaches at his two dojos, located in Pointe-Claire and in Laval, Canada. He has several hundred students under his direct tutelage, including well over 20 black belts. Overall, his organization has over 500 students, with at least 50 black belts, including 5 yondans and many nidans and sandans.

a passion for training and teaching

Shihan Roman has traveled all over the world to promote Kyokushin Karate in the true Budo spirit of Sosai Oyama. He is a master in many areas of Kyokushin training and particularly adept at kihon (basics) and combinations (ido geiko). Shihan Roman has personally helped many dojos to grow and prosper pro bono for over 20 years before opening his own dojo in 1991 because of the love he holds for martial arts and what it has done for him throughout his life.

During that time, Shihan Roman promoted Kyokushin Karate on many television programs with students of all ages. Among these TV programs, the two best and most memorable experiences were “YOU ASKED FOR IT”, which was broadcast over 100 stations on national television and hosted by comedian Rich Little; and “THE PIERRE LALONDE SHOW”, a well-known variety special in Quebec. Some of the feats Shihan Roman performed were breaking two baseball bats simultaneously with one blow from the sune (shin), breaking ten blocks of cement with shuto (knife hand) and hiji (elbow), and breaking (with shuto) six blocks of ice measuring 10 inches thick and 39 inches long, doused with gasoline and set aflame.

international ambassador

Shihan Roman has trained with and taught many people around the world throughout the years, mentoring thousands of international students and building lifelong friendships. As a result, Shihan Roman is respected around the world. He has been supported by many of the top names in Kyokushin, including Shihan Stuart Corrigal of Vancouver, Canada, and Shihan Bobby Lowe of Hawaii. Shihan Roman joined Shihan Corrigal many times at karate camps as well as taught at Shihan Corrigal’s dojo. He has high admiration for him and considers Shihan Stuart a very long-time friend. Shihan Roman participated in numerous clinics with Shihan Lowe and thanks him for all his knowledge and advice.

Learning from each master teacher has made Shihan Roman a far more complete karateka who deeply believes in true Budo spirit. From 1997-2024, Shihan Roman was North American chairman and Canadian representative of the International Karate Organization under Kancho Y. Matsushima. He now represents World So-Kyokushin under Hanshi Daigo Oishi.

Since September 2006, Shihan Roman has been director of his own dojo in the western part of Montreal where he continues to promote Mas Oyama’s Kyokushin Karate and mentors hundreds of students under his supervision.