About us
Fraser Valley Shito-Ryu Karate Club was established in 2016. We started out of Willoughby Community Center at the Langley Events Centre. Shortly after we started at our current facility, Willoughby Elementary School gymnasium. The community center was where introductory classes were held and was a feeder club to Willoughby Elementary our main club. Covid brought the shutdown and closure of Willoughby Community Center in 2020 and all classes were centralized out of Willoughby Elementary upon the opening of facilities after Covid in 2021.
Fraser Valley Shito-Ryu teaches traditional Karate with a standardized belt system that follows a historical Shito-Ryu syllabus fashioned by the International Satokai Association.
We also train competition Karate under Karate B.C. (KBC), Karate Canada and World Karate Federation (WKF) rules and guidelines.
Fraser Valley Shito-Ryu follows the traditional Karate style of Shito-Ryu under the International Satokai Association and guidance of Shihan Akira Sato, 9th Dan, and Chief Instructor of of the Satokai Association.
Please refer to our History Page for more in-depth detail.
Our Mission
At our karate club, we focus on developing discipline, respect, and self-confidence in our members. We believe in fostering a supportive environment where individuals of all ages can grow both physically and mentally through martial arts.
Our Vision
We aspire to be a leading martial arts community, promoting wellness and personal development. Our goal is to inspire members to embrace a healthy lifestyle, build friendships, and reach their full potential through karate.
Join Us Today!
Come and be part of our vibrant community. Together, we can achieve great things through shared values of respect, perseverance, and friendship. Your journey in martial arts begins here!
Meet our Instructors
Warren MacLean
Head Instructor
NCCP Comp Intro Certified
Warren started training in karate in 1990 under Senseis Kaz Hashimoto and Mark Stacey at Kingsway Karate (now Odokan Karate). During the 90’s while competing in a few regional tournaments he became a member of the Karate B.C. Executive as a Director at Large as well as Tournament Director for 2 years including at the time running one of KBC’s biggest tournaments with 604 competitors. In the early 2000’s Warren stepped back a bit from karate training to start a family and progress in his career. Later in the decade missing his karate training he started training in Shotokan karate under Sensei Ali Najafi. After attaining Shodan level under Sensei Najafi, Warren started training regularly again under Sensei Akira Sato in his original style of Shito-Ryu. Currently Warren holds Nidan levels in both Shito-Ryu and Shotokan styles. Warren was actively on the Executive of Karate B.C. from 2012-2024, stepping down as 2nd Vice President, Former Grassroots Chair and currently a sitting member, Zone 3 Coordinator from 2012-2024. Warren also holds National Level Judge & Referee A certification and Competition Intro/Head Instructor Coaching certification. Currently Warren is focused on growing Fraser Valley Shito-Ryu Karate that he runs out of Langley, B.C. He is married with 2 adult children and resides in Langley, B.C.
Emily Zheng
Assistant Instructor & Youth Instructor
NCCP Comp Intro certified
Training
Emily began her karate journey when she was eight years old looking to find confidence and strength. In joining karate, she not only found confidence and strength, but also community and passion. She trained in the Shotokan style of karate under Sensei Ali Najafi in the Japan Shotokan Karate Association (JSKA) for ten years. By 2023, she was licensed to rank as a Shodan (first degree) black belt. She began training in the Shito-ryu style of karate under Sensei Warren MacLean in the Satoha Shitoryu International Federation in November 2024. She currently has her brown belt in the Shito-ryu style of karate.
Achievements
Emily has medalled in local tournaments, provincial championships, and Canadian Open championships. In both 2022 and 2023, she made the provincial team to compete at the Canadian national championships.
Instructing
From 12 to 16, Emily was a program assistant in Shotokan and assisted in instructing classes. She became an assistant instructor in Shotokan when she was 16 years old. In December 2024, she became an instructor in Taekwondo.
Other Martial Arts
Emily has trained in Taekwondo, kickboxing, and film-fighting under Master Rykel Cerezo since March 2024.
Scott Cheung
Guest Instructor & Senior Satokai International Instructor
We are very fortunate to have as a regular guest and instructor Sensei Scott Cheung. Sensei Scott is one of the most senior instructors within our association and holds the rank of 7th Dan within the International Satokai Association. He has been training continuously out of the Honbu (headquarters) dojo in Vancouver since 1975. Sensei Scott is very much a student of the art and is always learning and adapting to the art of Karate. He enjoys the history of Karate from Japan, via Okinawa and back to its Chinese roots from Kung-Fu. Sensei Scott is a master of movement and balance which thoroughly enhance physical movement and effectiveness of techniques.
David DeRoy
Guest Instructor