Our First Steps in Canada: The Start of CKMA’s Journey

Shihan Steve
Jun 26
1 min read

The Journey of Contact Kicks Martial Arts: From the U.S. to Canada

Did you know that Contact Kicks Martial Arts (CKMA) didn’t start in Canada? It was first established in the United States in 2005! But in 2010, something big happened—CKMA moved to Canada, and that’s when a whole new chapter began.

Our First Steps in Canada

These pictures were taken in September 2010 during our very first karate class in Canada. We had just moved here one week earlier! There was no dojo yet, no mats, and no fancy space to train in. So, we started in a park in Mississauga.

The Founders of CKMA

Back then, CKMA was just two people:

Shihan Steve, who was a 3rd-degree black belt,
Senpai Mici, who was a brown belt.

Reflecting on 15 Years of Growth

That was 15 years ago! It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come since that day in the park. Now, we have classes for kids, teens, and adults in two cities—Barrie and Mississauga. Our dojo has grown so much, and we’ve met so many great students and families along the way.

The Heart of CKMA

A dojo isn’t just about the building—it’s about the people, the hard work, and the friendship. We started small, but we never gave up. And look where we are now!