Lyle Zimmerman, 3rd Dan Black Belt, started his Kyokushin training in 1984 at the age of 24. He trained under Sempai Rainer Udala and Sempai Daryl Hater in Penticton, and later Terry Shivas and Brent Parker, from 1984-1996. He earned his Sempai rank in the mid 1990s and became a Sensei with his 3rd Dan Aug.5,2007.

Lyle moved to Headley in 1996 and in 1998 opened the Princeton Dojo. Lyle took over the instruction of the Cawston Dojo from Sempai Michel Paquette in 2001. The Dojo move to Keremeos in 2005 an currently hold 20+ students with ranks form white belt to brown belt. They train Wednesday nights, with higher belt training Fridays. Lyle's motivation behind his training is to stay in shape and to put back into the organization what her got out of it. Lyle participated in eight Kyokushin Karate tournaments. He encourages his sudents to take part in all Kyokushin Karate functions, including summer and winter Camps, and is always there to lend support. He frequently allows students to receive extra training at his home. Sensei Lyle is always accepting new students . Ages in class range from 7 to 60 and up. Sensei Lyle plans to keep the Dojo running as long as there are stuents interested in Learning the Kyokushin Way of self-defense and discipline.

Brown Belt Profile-Chris Carpenter

Chris Carpenter is our most senior student an has been training since the age of 15. Almost six years ago. He will be taking his 1st kyu test close to the end of this yar and hopefuly going for his shodan the year after his first kyu test is all goes well. He has been to many tournaments on the coast and a few in the east. He also has attened wentercamp every year since joining and plans to attened as many as he can on his kyokushin journey. Chris plans to train Kyokushin in another part of the world at some point. 

　

　

　

　

　

Green Belt Profile-Thomas Schwetje

Tom Schwetje received his 4th Kyu on May 20, 2009. Tom's  Kyokushin journey began back in September of 2005 when he and his son, David, first walked throught the doors of  Lyle Zimmerman's Dojo. feeling like the old man at the age of 39 when he joined, five years later he now laughs at himself and finds each training session rejuvenation. At the age of 40 Tom entered his first full contact tournament in Newton an has since competed in Kata and or full contact at Cranbrook and the Canadians tournament in Burnaby BC as well. Tom plans to continue his training to maintin and better his health and to share his knowledge and experiences with those who also share his path.  

　

　

　

　

　

Yellow Belt Profile-Patricia Schwetje

Patricia Schwetje recently received her yellow belt May 15, 2010. Patricia has been very active in the Keremeos club an entered her first Kata tournament in Cranbrook as a white belt, she then entered her first full-contact tournament as orange belt. She has also competed in the Canadians, held in Burnaby BC, and coached other club members in competition. Patricia enjoys the fitness and selfdefence Kyokushin offers,(plus a good sparing session is always fun), and as a woman believes knowing how to defend oneself properly is invaluable.