“Karate aims to build character, improve human behavior, and cultivate modesty; it does not, however, guarantee it.”
MORE ABOUT TAN
Tan Nguyen started karate in 2001 at the age of five under Sensei Tony Kim at Richmond Shito-Ryu, Seiko-Kai dojo. He was never a star pupil initially, but was a very determined karate-ka. In 2004, Sensei Tony Kim retired from teaching and left Tan in somewhat of a karate limbo. Tan trained and dabbled in several other styles and even another dojo for the next year or so. He even restarted again at white belt. But when Sensei Kenny Lim opened the West River Hayashi-Ryu dojo in 2006, Sempai Tan left immediately to join him; as he was originally Tan’s sempai at the Richmond dojo. Since joining West River, Tan has been working extremely hard, in and out of the dojo. He attained his black belt in the summer of 2010 and has also obtained several Provincial, National and World Championship titles. Though Tan is a well decorated karate athlete, he continues to strive and compete towards a (WKF) World Karate Federation Championship title. Tan is currently in his 2nd year at UBC in the faculty of Physics working towards his degree in engineering. Sempai Tan wants remind everyone to “smile everyday”.
HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Member of the Canadian National Karate Team 2010 – Present
Member of the BC Provincial Karate Team 2010 – Present
2010 – 2015 Canadian National Champion
2011 Karate BC Male Jr. Athlete of the Year
2011 Pan American Jr. Championships Kata Bronze Medalist
2010 Pan American Jr. Championships Kata Bronze Medalist
2010 BC Winter Games Triple Gold Medalist
2009 NBL World Champion Grand Champion
2009 NBL World Champion Traditional Forms & Traditional Weapons