Who We Are
PoCo Karate is a traditional Karate and Kobudo dojo (school) that caters to students seeking authentic Karate and Kobudo instruction. Our primary focus is on improving the health and wellbeing of our participants while they learn valuable self defence skills. We continue the traditions passed down through several generations of masters, tracing back to Okinawa. As such, our studies include a balanced curriculum of historic katas (forms), bunkai (application), kihon (basic techniques), and kumite (sparring and grappling).
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PoCo Karate is a member of Karate BC and Karate Canada. Karate Canada is the only karate organization legitimately recognized, supported and funded by the Canadian government, and is the National governing body for the sport of karate in Canada. Karate Canada is a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the World Karate Federation, the Pan American Karate Federation and the Commonwealth Karate Federation.
The style of Karate practiced at PoCo Karate is Shito-Ryu Satokai.
Jascha Espley
Head Instructor
Jascha Espley is a Sandan (3rd degree Blackbelt) in Shito-Ryu Satokai Karate and Shodan (1st degree Blackbelt) in Sato Ha Kobudo. He holds instructor certification from Karate Canada and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Jascha started his training in Karate in 1987 and has extensive experience in both traditional and competitive Karate. Jascha's Kobudo training began in 1989. Jascha has a well rounded background in traditional Karate. Prior studies include Shito-Ryu Itosukai, Shito-Ryu Seikokai, Chito-Ryu and JKA Shotokan.
In addition to being the Head Instructor at PoCo Karate, Jascha is also the Head Kobudo Instructor at Nikkei Karate at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre in Burnaby, BC, as well as the Head Instructor at Green Timbers Karate at RCMP E-Division Headquarters in Surrey, BC.
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Jascha also has an active competitive career in sport Karate. He has represented British Columbia on the BC Team on four occasions. He continues to compete recreationally while also coaching the next generation of high performance and recreational athletes.
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Recent Tournament Results
2023 Karate BC Provincial Championships.
Gold Medal in Kobudo
2022 Canada Open Championships.
Bronze Medal in Kobudo
2022 Karate BC Provincial Championships.
Gold Medal in Kobudo
2021 Canada Open Championships
Bronze Medal in Kobudo
2021 Karate BC eTournament
Gold Medal in Kobudo
2019 Sato Cup Karate Championships
Awarded Master's Grand Champion Trophy
Gold Medals in Master's Kata and Kumite
Bronze Medal in Kobudo
2019 Karate BC Provincial Championships.
Gold Medal in Kobudo
Gold Medal in Master's Kata
Bronze Medal in Master's Kumite
2019 Canada Open Championships
Bronze Medal in Kobudo
2016 Sato Cup Karate Championships
Silver Medal in Kobudo
2016 Americas Masters Games
Bronze Medal in Kata
Silver Medal in Kobudo
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