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ABOUT US

Meet our Instructors

Shihan Steve Fogarasi 5 Dan
Hanshi Arneil and Shihan Steve

STEVE FOGARASI

Shihan 5th Dan
- Years of training in Martial Arts 35
- Years of teaching Karate Kyokushin 30
- Years of teaching K-1 Kickboxing 25

 Holding a black belt 5th Dan under the IFK (International Federation of Karate – Hanshi Steve Arneil), Shihan Steve Fogarasi is an Internationally known and respected instructor.

 Shihan Steve Fogarasi represents Canada as the President of IFK Canada Kyokushin Organization. The owner and operator of Contact Kicks Martial Arts in Toronto

 Shihan Steve Fogarasi began his martial arts career 1986, beginning with Judo in his hometown Ludus, Romania. Under the communist regime, judo was the only legal martial art. After about 6 months of judo he was introduced to Shotokan Karate, which he trained in for two years.

 At age 17 he left to attend school in Sibiu where he discovered Kyokushin Karate and joined the dojo under Sensei Bradu Gheorghe. He achieved the rank of 7 kyu, blue belt and after finishing school moved back to his hometown Ludus in 1990.

​ At age 18 and only blue belt holder back in his hometown where no karate dojos existed and not to mention kyokushin karate, he was faced with a dilemma – “how do I continue my journey in karate?” The decision came quickly – “I will open my own dojo!” … and he did! In short time he gathered students and was the first kyokushin karate dojo in the history of Ludus.

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Twice a year they would go to national seminars and training camps at the Black Sea and in The Carpathian Mountains. He tested for belts and learned from masters like: Shihan Furko Kalman, Shihan Adamy Istvan, Shihan Somogyi Zsolt, Sihan Howard Collins, Kancho Shokei Matsui, Sensei Kenji Yamaki, Sensei Brezovai Sandor and others.

Sensei Fogarasi began competing in full-contact knock-down karate in 1992, where he won 1st place at the regional championship. He competed for  another 10 years in more then 20 events and was almost always on the podium.

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  • In 1996 he tested and received his black belt 1st Dan from Kancho Shokei Matsui in Szentes, Hungary.

  • In 2001 tested 2nd Dan in Romania at the Black Sea Summer Camp, again with Kancho Matsui.

  • In 2007 he received his 3rd Dan and the rank of Sensei from Hanshi Steve Arneil 10th Dan in the United States, Rochester NY.

  • 2015 Sensei Fogarasi received his 4th Dan from Hanshi Steve Arneil at the BKK Summer Camp.

  • In 2021 he was awarded the rank of 5th Dan and title of Shihan by the IFK board of directors 

 

USA


In 2001 Shihan Steve Fogarasi moved to the USA, Denver Colorado, where he lived for almost 8 years. In Denver he founded and opened Contact Kicks dojo and joined the USA IFK.  He also began training in Kickboxing Muay-Thai at 3D Martial Arts with Sensei Clarence Thacht.

In 2006 he competed again in full-contact karate, after a 5 year break. He received 3rd place at the All American International in Rochester NY. This was his last competition.

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Canada and the IFK

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Shihan Steve Fogarasi immigrated to Canada in 2010 and became the Canadian country Representative for the International Federation of Karate (Kyokushin), and established Toronto as the new home of Contact Kicks Martial Arts and the Headquarters of IFK Canada Kyokushin Organization.

MICI FOGARASI

Sempai 2nd Dan
- Years of training in Martial Arts 16
- Years of teaching Karate Kyokushin 14
- Years of teaching K-1 Kickboxing 10

Holding a black belt 2nd Dan under the IFK (International Federation of Karate – Hanshi Steve Arneil), Sempai Mici Fogarasi is the cofunder of Contact Kicks Martial Arts in Toronto, Canada and IFK Kyokushin Canada Organization as a Secretary General.

 

Sempai Mici Fogarasi began her training in 2006 in Denver CO USA, under Sensei Steve.

She has been training and teaching since then in both karate kyokushin and kickboxing.

Sempai Mici has competed in full-contact karate kyokushin tournaments in Rochester NY and Montreal, Canada.

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She is very passionate about helping others succeed with their goals and helathy life choices. 


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  • In 2011 she has received her 1st Degree Black Belt in Toronto ON - Sensei Steve Fogarasi 4th Dan

  • In 2019 she tested successfully for her 2nd degree black belt - Toronto ON - Sensei Steve Fogarasi 4th Dan

 

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Sempai Dany Krief 1 Dan

DANY KRIEF

Sempai 1st Dan
- Years of training in Martial Arts 40
- Years of training Karate Kyokushin 23

 

Sempai Dany has over 40 years of experience in many different types of martial arts.

He has started training at the age of 7 with karate and judo.

At the age of 18 he received his shodan in Shotokan Karate and at the age of 24 he received his nidan.

Also achieved brown belt In Judo.

Sempai Dany is a black belt 1st degree in the art of Kenpo-Jitsu, an Israeli martial art that is combined of full contact karate, judo and ground grappling.

He was two time Israeli champion under the age of 18 and two time Israeli champion as an adult in full contact.

Started learning Kyokushin Karate in 2000 and got third place in 2006 at the Open North American in Montreal.

Sempai Dany has joined CKMA in 2016 and achieved the rank of 1st degree black belt in July 2022 after a very demanding test of basics, forms and 30 rounds of full-contact kumite.

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TESTIMONIALS

What others say about me.

Alex Burnaru

Sensei Steve is one of the most knowledgeable, passionate, and fully dedicated martial artists and coaches that you would ever find. His no-nonsense philosophy is shaped by many experiences that he had, training, competing, and coaching. 

Scott Heaney

 I owe so much to Sensei Steve Fogarasi, and I wouldn’t be where I am in my life without Kyokushin and his guidance. I have never met anyone with such a deep passion and love for Kyokushin.

Winnie Ishimve

Steve has years of experience in many forms of Martial Arts. In my experience, the kickboxing classes are challenging, engaging and rewarding all at the same time. I've learned so much about myself through Martial Arts.

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