On 31 March, 2002 Dmitriy Beer successfully passed testing to receive Shodan (1st degree black belt) rank in the Shito-Ryu Karate-Do dojo in Qatar. Dmitriy is the FIRST person to achieve this rank in Qatar! Bravo Dmitriy! Mabrook!!

The test was conducted by Cameron Steuart of Canada, one of the highest ranking instructors in the international organization and an instructor who is respected around the world. Steuart Sensei has 50 years of experience in karate and leads Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai. He achieved the rank of 6th Dan in 2014 and throughout his 50 years he has led numerous international seminars and testings, as well as being featured in Black Belt Magazine. 

On 2 April, 2020, Ms. AL and Vlad Beer successfully passed testing to achieve 3rd KYU (brown belt) level at the Qatar dojo! Well done! Bravo! 

Students typically test twice each year although the pandemic and being forced to hold classed virtually rather than in person slowed down that pace to ensure everyone was learning what they need to know. We are now back into regular practice again, twice a week in the dance studio of Georgetown University in Education City. 

Classes are held 5:00 - 6:00 PM Sundays and Tuesdays. The classes are mixed and adult/teen only and there is no fee. Beginners are always welcome. 

Sempai Brij holds Nidan (2nd degree) rank in Shito-Ryu Karate-Do from Club Kenyukai in the UK but he lives and works in Doha, and he trains with us regularly. Sempai Brij is a valuable and appreciated member of our team. Brij successfully tested for Nidan in 2023 and we are very proud to be training with him. 

Classes are held Sundays and Tuesdays 5:00 - 6:00 PM in the dance studio of Georegetown University in Education City. Classes are free. 

Beginners are always welcome. Come join us anytime. You will get good exercise, learn self defence, learn historical and cultural aspects of karate and weaponry, and have fun and make new friends. Everyone starts at the same level and if you stick with it, you can achieve your dreams! 

The late Fumio Demura, Shihan (Master), Chief Instructor of Shito-Ryu Genbu-Kai International, visited the Qatar dojo twice. In this picture we see Demura Shihan and  and Ken Nishiki, Sensei, Chief Instructor of Shito-Ryu Genbu-Kai Japan, during their visit to the Qatar dojo in January 2020.

Members of the local Shotokan dojo also participated and a consulate of the Japanese Embassy brought her family and gifts from the embassy.

One of the benefits of holding classes online is that guests from around the world can join in. Despite lockdowns and dojo closure during the pandemic, we continued to train online. This gave the benefit of being to train in real time with instructors from around the world. We were honored to receive instruction from two visiting guests from Calgary, Canada. Nidan (2nd degree black belt) Doug Wong shared kumite (sparring) techniques and Godan (5th degree black belt) Gord Belser - sensei to both Doug Wong and Byrad Yyelland - shared important information regarding body movement, balance, kumite and kata. Both of these gentlemen have agreed to join us occasionally in the future and we will also be inviting other international guests. 

Our style of Shito-Ryu follows the teachings of the late Master Fumio Demura, 9th Dan, who was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1938. On April 24, 2023 Shihan Demura passed away in California, USA, where he had been living since 1965. Shihan Demura is generally considered the first to teach authentic Shito-Ryu karate and Okinawan kobudo (weaponry). Combining the traditions of the past with modern approaches to training, he was regarded by his students with love, trust and admiration. In his personal life as well as within the walls of the dojo, Shihan was a living model of what all true martial artists should strive to be.

Dojo etiquette is another tradition which has been passed down in the karate tradition. Dojo etiquette are the rules by which karate practitioners are to conduct themselves. By having these rules, karate as a whole, is brought up to a higher level of respect.

Byrad Yyelland is from Canada where he began serious study of karate under Steuart Sensei in 1999. Today he holds Nidan (2nd degree) rank. He teaches traditional Shito-Ryu Karate-Do, contemporary self defence, fitness and some weaponry, as taught through the legacy of Masters Demura and Steuart. You can reach Byrad at byyelland@gmail.com if you have any questions.