Ross Rumbell Award Recipient: 1995

James Johnson is a founding member of Karate BC, Past President of Karate BC and Karate Canada, and a member of the World and Pan American Karate Federation executive committees. James was also a volunteer Executive Director of Karate BC for eight months where he remained for 30 years after it was formalized into a full-time salaried position. As Karate Canada President, James implemented many changes including the National dan ranking system. He represented Canada at three World Championships and was the first to win four national male Kumite open titles in the era of no weight divisions, including one in 1983 at the age 39 years. He was a national and international referee, a national coach, and played a key role in achieving gender equity in provincial and national Kumite competition and refereeing. James established Burnaby Karate Club in 1981 and remained its chief instructor for 35 years. Originally from Los Angeles, James served in the US Air Force, returned to L.A., then entered the University of California at Santa Barbara. An injury sustained after being struck with a police baton while participating in an anti-war demonstration during the 1960s changed his life forever as he emigrated to Canada.