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World Champ Trains Locals

Fifth-level black belt karate sensei opens new training centre in New Westminster

Alfie Lau, The Record

Published: Wednesday, June 25, 2008

After three world championships in four years, Bill Hunter will now help others work toward that achievement.

Hunter, 50, is a fifth-level black belt karate sensei who recently opened up his own studio, the Tashu Shotowa Karate and Fitness Centre, at 52 Sixth St. in downtown New Westminster. Along with wife Terry and business partners Andy and Cheryl Pruim, Hunter wants to share his love of the sport with his students.

"I've got my world titles, and now it's time to help others," Hunter said, referencing his most recent world title, the National Blackbelt League's Supergrands in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which he won in December.

Top of the world: Four-time world champion Bill Hunter

has opened a new karate training facility in the Royal City.

The Tashu Shotowa Karate and Fitness Centre, on Sixth Street,

offers yoga classes and karate instruction for kids and adults.

Hunter brings more than three decades of experience to the centre.

Hunter, who has more than 35 years of karate experience, has won five world titles in an illustrious career that began in 1971. Training and learning from his mentors, Jim MacArthur, Bob Smith and Mark Kaliciak, Hunter became active in promoting martial arts events throughout the Pacific Northwest. Hunter wasn't only a competitor, he served as a coach, judge and referee.

When the last of those mentors retired in 1982, Hunter turned more of his attention toward teaching. By 1991, Hunter had set up a thriving karate studio that ran out of Douglas College and was part of their continuing education program.

With more than 60 students regularly honing their karate skills on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7 to 9 p.m., Hunter was very happy with the arrangement until last autumn, when Douglas College needed more space and Hunter could only run his classes on Friday night from 7 to 9 p.m.

"Friday's the worst night of the week, and it wasn't sufficient for our needs," Hunter said. "We were quite happy at Douglas College until we started getting crowded out, and the writing was on the wall."

At the same time, Andy, whom Hunter had known and trained with for more than 25 years, wanted to open his own karate studio, and the two decided to go into business together.

It didn't take them long to find a 2,000- square-foot facility on the corner of Sixth and Carnarvon streets that was centrally located and had the nice bonus of original hardwood flooring.

With a little bit of elbow grease and a lot of determination, the Tashu Shotowa Karate and Fitness Centre opened in January.

"We've been open nights for karate, but we're opening in the mornings for yoga classes that will be taught by Tricia Keith," Hunter said.

Yoga, which on the surface has nothing in common with karate, was something students had requested. Once the numbers were there for a class, Hunter gave the go-ahead.

"Yoga and karate are actually closer than you think," Hunter said. "Both have an Eastern (Asian) influence, and in terms of fitness, I don't think you can find two better ways to get fit."

If demand warrants, Hunter hopes to expand into tai chi and fitness kickboxing classes in the future. But first and foremost, Tashu Shotowa will emphasize karate, with Randy Hanlon and Krista Lee running kids' programs and Hunter and Pruim teaching higher levels.

"My goal is to help others reach their full potential," Hunter said, "I've got a wealth of tournament experience, and I know what it takes to do well."

Hunter, who has helped promote local karate tournaments for the last quarter century, retired at the top of his game, as his final ranking was number 1 in the world in his age and class.

"It was time," said Hunter. "I wanted to put more time into my school and my students and turn my energies toward them. ... Maybe I can help my students win a world title."

Call 604-525-6750 for more information.

© The Record (New Westminster) 2008