Sensei Robert Tallack has studied Martial Arts all of his life. He was born into a family of Martial Arts professionals. Robert's mother, Sharon Berman, is a 4th Degree Black Belt, and his father, Kyoshi Ken Tallack, an 8th Degree Black Belt.

During the month of May, in 2004, Robert graduated from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. He ran 5k three times per week, set a new personal best when he bench pressed 350 pounds, and when he landed a full standing back flip for the first time. He was able to accomplish all of this while teaching regular classes at his new full-time Dojo on Princess Street and at his Public School “ Karate Kids ” programs. Robert is a true athlete and scholar.

Born in 1979, Rob performed his first Kata (Takyoku Gedan) in a public demonstration in September 1982. He was 3 years old at the time. In 1985, he began to study Goju Ryu Meibukan under his father Ken Tallack, when Ken introduced that style of Karate to Canada.

In 1990, they moved as a family to Hokkaido Japan, where Rob entered Kamiashibetsu Shogakko, as well as Hokkaido Butokukan where he studied Wado Ryu, Kendo and Judo.

In 1991, they moved to Naha City, Okinawa where they took an apartment next to the Meibukan Hombu Dojo in Kume.

Rob began daily morning training sessions with Dai Sensei Yagi Meitoku, a 10th Degree Black Belt, and evening sessions three nights per week with Meitatsu Sensei.

Robert learned the Hombu version of Goju Ryu as taught by Dai Sensei Yagi Meitoku. Dai Sensei would spend a little time each day in the Dojo with Rob, correcting his Kata, sharing stories, and directing Rob's training.

Rob was probably the only Westerner ever to learn directly from Dai Sensei in the Japanese language, as by this time Rob was as fluent as any native twelve year old. When other visitors would attend, Dai Sensei regularly would use Rob as his translator. Dai Sensei would often have Rob move all of his potted plants from one side of the building to the other on one day, and on the next day from the 4th floor to the 3rd floor, only to have him start all over again.

In early 1992, Dai Sensei recommended Rob to the Kodokan Kobudo Dojo of Matayoshi Shimpo Sensei. For the next year, Rob would split his time between the two Dojo and his schoolwork.

Robert is now the leading authority for Matayoshi Kobudo in Canada.

His daily schedule went something like this: at 8:30 a.m., he would get out of bed; and at 9:00 a.m., Sanchin training began in the Meibukan Hombu Dojo (his training partner was usually Yamaguchi Masahiro). Dai Sensei would attend at his convenience. At 11:00 a.m., he would eat lunch and do Canadian schoolwork At 4:00 p.m., he would have a chance to relax.

On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, Rob would go to Meitatsu Sensei's classes, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. And on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays, Rob would go to Matayoshi Sensei's Dojo, where he was taught by Yamashiro Sense, Gakiya Sensei and of course Matayoshi Sensei. On Sundays, Rob studied Daito-Ryu Aiki Jujutsu.

Rob returned to Canada in March of 1993, at which time he re-entered the Canadian School system.

The Tallack family opened their Dojo in Belmont, Ontario in September 1993, where Rob taught Kobudo and assisted with Goju Ryu instruction.

In June of 1994 Rob and his father moved to Kingston to open the LaSalle Plaza Martial Arts Learning and Fitness Centre. They also worked as Senior Instructors for the Academy of Martial Arts at 851 Princess Street with their students Chris and April Hurst.

In 1995, Rob helped to raise $6,000.00 for the Earthquake Relief Fund for the victims of the Kobe disaster. He did this by breaking 100 boards as fast as he could. He broke 100 boards in 21.1 seconds. Bill Fournier, an orange belt level student, was one of the hundreds of witnesses to this amazing feat.

In that same year, Rob received his Shodan in Karate at a grading before a board of masters where he performed Kata, Bunkai, Kobudo, Iaido, and Jujutsu techniques, without repetition, for 6 solid hours.

In 1996, Rob attended a number of events where he acted as translator for some Okinawan teachers such as his Kobudo Mentor Gakiya Sensei and Karate-do Hanshi Hokama Tetsuhiro.

In 1997, Rob went back to Okinawa for two months of training with Matayoshi Sensei at his home. Rob received his Shodan Grade in Kobudo from Matayoshi Sensei at this time. Rob also became a student of Sawara Jujutsu during that visit.

In 1999, after graduating from high school as an Ontario Scholar, finishing with six honors courses in the eightieth percentile, Rob attended his first year of University. Following that year, Rob returned to Okinawa for more training.

Rob was one of the last people to receive a grading from Matayoshi Sensei prior to his passing, and he ranked Rob as Nidan in August 1999.

In the summer of 1999, Rob also fought in his first “No Holds Barred” fight as part of the Kakedameshi event at the Naha City Budokan . At the age of 19, Rob was one of the youngest professional fighters in Canada. He returned to Canada, where he continued to fight in the “No Holds Barred” arena, eventually compiling a professional fighting record of 2 wins and 2 losses.

In August of 2001, Rob went to the Okinawa World Karate Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. Robert took First Place in the Men's 18 to 24 year old Goju Ryu Kata division, as well as First Place in the Men's 18 to 24 Year Old Kobudo Sai Division.

Rob returned to University in Kingston in 2001, at which time he founded the "Rob Tallack's Karate Kids Program". He continued to concentrate on his education, and in 2004, Rob received his University Degree in Health Studies from Queen's University. Rob has also gone to a gym almost every day for intensive weight lifting, power training and explosive energy development. Just prior to graduating University, Rob set a new personal best when he successfully bench-pressed 355 pounds! It was also at that point that Rob was able to land standing back flips, an impressive feat for a 205 pound athlete.

Rob taught grappling classes as well advanced Goju Ryu classes at Stratton Martial Arts throughout the year 2001 until February of 2004. Rob has also been the Head Instructor of the Queen's University Recreational Karate Club for the past two years.

On August 28, 2004, Rob set a new world record when he broke 106 boards in 16.88 seconds, breaking his own previously set record. To watch the video clip of that record setting event, visit www.kingstonkarate.com! Rob is still the holder of that World Record for Speed Board Breaking.

Rob came out of competitive retirement in 2005, when he was asked to represent the Canadian National Karate Team.

Robert won both of his divisions at the 2005 CAN-AM Martial Arts Championships, and assisted the Canadian Team in its narrow victory over the Americans during the Team Competition!

Robert Tallack, at this years “Dai Nippon Butokukai” International Martial Arts Demonstration, was promoted by the board of Japanese Masters. Robert received his 5th Degree Black Belt in Karate. As Robert is only 27 years old and there are minimum age requirements for Master Grades such at 5th Degree Black Belt, the promotion in rank had to have special authorization from Japan.

Since his graduation from Queen's University in 2004, Robert has focused his efforts on his Martial Arts programs, his charity work and his new Dojo. Robert and Ken, his father, have built a new Headquarters for Tallack Martial Arts, which is now located at 2777 Princess St. in Kingston. The beautiful 5000 square foot facility boasts the most beautiful design in the region. Their Dojo has an active enrollment of over 350 members and has a staff of over 23 instructors who provide top-notch instruction!

Robert's goal is to spread the benefits of traditional Martial Arts training to children across Canada! He intends to do this by expanding the Karate Kids Canada Program!