Athlete: 2003

Originally from Saint-Gérard, Qubec, Denis Déziel was the pioneer of karate in Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec. An eight-time Canadian Champion, he was helped at the time by Nao Yuki Ogiya in his quest to introduce the relatively unknown sport of karate to the people of the region. Shawinigan was the first place where karate settled in the region in 1982 under the name blossoming the Denis Déziel Karate School. Denis moved to British Columbia in the 1970’s and early 80’s when his competitive career was taking off. Later he relocated back to Quebec to continue his karate schools. Denis showed promise winning Gold in Edogawa ku championships in Japan 1977. He was dominant in both Kata and Kumite in British Columbia, Western Canada as well as nationally. Denis Deziel was recognized as Canada’s Golden boy in Kumite retiring from competition in 1990.