Robert Dalgleish

Robert Dalgleish

Father of Canadian Goju

Robert M. Dalgleish (November 6, 1942 - July 6, 1978) introduced Goju to Canada and is considered to be the Father of Canadian Goju.

Sensei Bob Dalgleish started his initial training in 1959 under the guidance of Master Masami Tsuroka, 10th Dan and Father of Canadian Karate.

Over the next several years he trained with the best of the best in North America: Gosei Yamaguchi, Richard Kim, Gonnohoy Yamamoto, Steve Armstrong, Master Jung, Peter Urban, Hidetaka Nishiyama, Robert Trias and, even Master Gogen Yamaguchi while in Hawaii.

In 1965, Sensei Dalgleish taught in Vancouver, B.C. and was elevated to the level of 3rd degree black belt by Master Masutatsu Oyama of the Kyo Ku Shin Kai style while training with Ron Sitrop. When he returned to Toronto after his extensive travels, he introduced his new knowledge to the students of Eastern Karate Club, which included names like Wally Slocki, Ted Marton, Don Warrener and Tony Facetti.

Between the years of 1965 and 1967, Master Dalgleish journeyed from Toronto to New York several times to learn Japanese Goju style under Master Peter Urban. He returned to Toronto and introduced the Goju style to the same students at Eastern Karate. His long time friend Benny Allen was the chief Instructor.

Master Bob Dalgleish traveled to Sudbury, Ontario, where he took up residence in 1970 to establish the Sudbury Goju Kai Karate Dojo until his death in 1978. His students in Sudbury included Israel Segarra (Yogi), Don Gauthier and Don Benoit, who, as of today, continue to teach the karate they all learned from their Sensei.

Master Bob Dalgleish is the reason we call Goju in Canada “Canadian Goju”.