Charles Bray: Founder and Co-developer

 

• He developed an interest in the ancient sport of Sumo, while spending time with the famous Lord Percival at the Fitness Institute in Toronto. He was deeply impressed by the sport's focus on leverage, positioning, and most importantly, self-discipline.

• He was always interested in engaging the youth that he worked with, and he soon became aware that these tenets could be adapted for young people. Over the next 12 years he and a group of wrestlers began presenting Sumo through half-time shows and school exhibitions in Canada and the US. These demonstrations caused an overwhelming response of interest and praise.

• He was inspired by these results, and began to build a more intensive program that he call Sumokids. Through the use of what is called ''stealth education,'' Sumokids provides a learning environment that is both fun and educational for students of all ages. Stealth education is a concept that is designed around students learning without realizing they are.

• He had a football career with the Toronto Argonauts, the Memphis Southmen, the New York Giants, and the Orlando Panthers. He coached football at Baldwin High School in Pittsburgh, at St. Michael College, and with the Toronto Grizzlies and the Buffalo Warriors.  He produced the Toronto high school all star game,  Beaches board Walk run, First ever Street Fight championship, First ever Midnight Football game; The Toronto Grizzles has a listing in the NFL Hall of Fame the first team from Canada to play in American Football League:  New York State martial Art Hall of Fame & Museum Community Leadership Award for his work with kids in Western New York and Southern Ontario.

 

Derek Becher: Coach

 

• Derek holds university degrees in Physical Education (with a focus on Sport & Activity for Children) and in Education. 

• He has an extensive fitness background, with Resistance Trainer certification and Fitness Appraiser certification. 

• He developed Lifestyle Fitness – a high school physical fitness program that is being used in over 140 schools in Canada, the U.S., and internationally – as well as Sumo-Fun 101 (a middle school program studying all aspects of Sumo, from its historical beginnings to the present day).  

• Derek has worked 18 summers at a hockey school, and his experience there has helped him to also write a hockey program that has versions for players aged 5-8, 9-12, and 13-17.  Derek has enjoyed working with youth and helping them to reach their potential through participation in sport-related activities.

   

     

Henry Chapman III: Co-developer and Master Coach of Leverage and Position Techniques 

 

• He holds a Masters in Sumo, Isshin-ryu and a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu.

• Henry has had experience in providing community services to both youth and adults. He has delivered a number of special training programs, including Inspiration and Knowledge, Martial arts for Guidance, Urban Survival Arts, and S.A.F.E. Women’s Safety Awareness.  

• He is co-developer of the Sumokids Initiative for school and community centers, and he has a Martial arts school in Toronto.