Our Sensei, Felix Chang
He’s a Force
portfolio of talent as UTKC's top
instructor.
As Head Instructor of UTKC and Technical Director of Jinbukai Canada, Shihan Felix Chang continues the legacy of the late Suenori Tominaga. He teaches kids, university students and working adults how to defend themselves with confidence and efficiency. He’s got the mind of a fighter and the kind of speed and precision you’d expect from someone with decades of experience. And don’t worry, he’s friendly too!
The Early Years
The love of karate came early for Chang Sensei. He was born in Trinidad in 1957 and took up karate when he was 11 years old. In 1968, Chang Sensei enrolled in a Japanese Karate Association Club and began training under notable masters, including Sensei Teruyuki Okazaki, now a 10th dan black belt and founder of the International Shotokan Karate Federation, and Frank Woon-a-Tai, currently 9th dan and head of the International Karate Daigaku
Strength in Diversity
The best way to describe Chang Sensei’s background in martial arts is “strength in diversity.” When he moved to Canada, he began training with the Tsuruoka school and the Jinbukai dojo. Sensei Masami Tsuruoka was the first Shihan of UTKC, and had also coached the late Shihan Suenori Tominaga. Chang Sensei learned to master the basics of Shotokan in those early years.
After immigrating to Canada in the 1980s, Chang Sensei began training with the UTKC as a 1st kyu. In 1984, he began practicing Wing Chun, a Chinese martial art that emphasizes striking, grappling, and close-quarters sparring.
He also trained in the Chen-style of T’ai Chi Ch’uan. Chang Sensei credits much of his fighting knowledge to the slow and controlled movements of this traditional art.
Chang Sensei uses his diverse background to ensure karate-ka understand the benefits of their Shotokan training. Self-awareness is the end goal, and Chang Sensei’s martial knowledge is designed to give our members strategic thinking and lightning fast responsiveness.
Today, he holds a 5th dan, certified by both Jinbukai Canada and the National Karate Association.
Hobbies and Leisure
Chang Sensei is a busy man. As the head of Jinbukai, he splits his time between teaching at UTKC and Goulding Karate Club. He spends what little free time he has with his family. His daughter is a Karate Ontario referee and his son is a Team Karate Ontario competitor. He is very proud of them both.
Chang Sensei is devoted to keeping himself in great shape. He’s known for taking his students through expert calisthenic workouts, which often include his famous (and dreaded) clap pushups. In his classes, the warm-up is the workout. But it’s worth every drop of sweat because there’s a standard we aspire to reach. And Chang Sensei is dedicated to getting us there.
Chang Sensei's Profile
Name:
Rank:
Member since:
Occupation:
Felix Chang
5th Degree Black Belt, conferred by Jinbukai Canada and the National Karate Association.
1980s
Director of Operations in an international plastics company (automotive industry)
Famous Quotes:
“RELAX!”
“Turn on the heel!”
“Make the motion feel familiar”