About Bernardo Karate & Cardio Kickboxing
Michael Bernardo is an 8th Degree Black Belt...
Michael brings over 45 years of Martial Arts experience and dedication to his students. He began training in 1972 and currently, there are five Bernardo Karate studios in and around the London area. The main focus of the karate program is to enable students to develop skills such as confidence, focus and respect that can be the foundation for success in daily life.
Mr. Bernardo is also associated with the Kids Kicking Cancer program in London and supplies many of the black belt instructors. This program uses martial arts techniques to empower children beyond the pain and discomfort of disease.
He is the only Canadian to be voted into the prestigious Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame and into the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame in 2014. Some of his accomplishments in the Martial Arts, Film and Television are listed below.
Martial Arts:
- 10 Time North American Champion
- 7 Time Canadian Karate Champion
- I.S.K.A World Champion
- Head Coach of the Canadian National Karate Team
- President of the World Kickboxing Commission – Canada
- Covers of Karate Illustrated, Martial Arts Training, S.M.A.S.H., Karate Today, Tae Kwon Do Times & Sports Karate News
- Trainer of over 50 World karate champions
- Batman and Robin
- Shootfighter and Shootfighter II
- Moving Target
- Terminal Rush, Grid Runners
- W.M.A.C. Masters “Turbo” (FOX TV)
Tammy Bernardo is a 6th Degree
Black Belt...
Tammy Bernardo is a 6th Degree Black Belt...
Started Karate in 1996
Vice-President, Co-owner and Operator of Bernardo Karate And Cardio Kickboxing
Program Developer and Instructor for Karate, Cardio Kickboxing, Kettlebell and Combat conditioning classes
Group and private instruction
Tournament Team trainer and coach
WKC Team Canada Strength and Conditioning Coach
Sport-specific training, sparring partner, focus pad/striking coach
Instructor and guest speaker at training camps and seminars
Athlete and Competitor
Volunteer Martial Arts Therapist/Instructor at Kids Kicking Cancer/Heroes Circle from September 2014 – present
Martial Arts Accomplishments:
1998-2010:
17 time World Champion in Point fighting and Light Contact (Continuous) fighting in three different organizations: WKA, IAKSA and WKC
22 time Canadian Champion
Tom Roberts is a 5th Degree
Black Belt...
Tom Roberts is a 5th Degree Black Belt...
Started Karate in 1987
Owner, Operator and Head Instructor of our Bernardo Karate Dearness location
Instructs Karate and Cardio Kickboxing
Trains and Coaches students for Competition
Competitor and Athlete
Martial Arts Accomplishments:
17 time World Champion
14 time Canadian Champion
Dennis McFadden is a 7th Degree Black Belt...
Studied Judo and Aikido in 1983/1984
Martial Arts training in February 1985
Studied Karate with Shihan Michael Bernardo
Current rank: Award 7th degree (Shichi dan) on June 2nd, 2023
Achieved 1st Degree (Shodan) in 1990
Promoted to 2nd Degree (Nidan)
Promoted to 3rd Degree (Sandan)
Promoted to 4th Degree (Yondan)
Promoted to 5th Degree (Godan)
Promoted to 6th degree (Roku dan) in 2013
Dennis started training with Shihan in 1985 after trying out other styles of martial arts coming to Bernardo Karate as an orange belt in Goju Ryu. He achieved his Black Belt in 1990 and starting teaching the daytime classes at Bernardo Karate which he continues to do so today. Even though Dennis decided he did not wish to compete, he has helped train many students for local, national and international competitions. He has taught many self-defence seminars especially those tailored for women. Taking an interest in weapons, Dennis has developed katas for both the Tonfa and Katana, both of which have been added to our weapon’s system. Dennis’ goals are to keep training and teaching and help new students get started on their journey to their Black Belt.
Lee Campbell is a 6th Degree Black Belt...
Started karate in 1985 at age 15
Owner and Head Instructor at Bernardo Karate Ilderton
Has been teaching in Ilderton for 14 years
Proud to be a mom of 3 boys and a Breast Cancer Survivor
Holly Kenny is a 5th Degree Black Belt…
Started Karate in 2004
Owner, operator, and Head Instructor of Bernardo Karate St. Thomas
20 years of training in the martial arts
14 years of teaching experience in Karate, Cardio Kickboxing, and Self Defense at the Bernardo Karate head office
Began training in a style combining Aikido, and Jujutsu in 2008 and achieved 2nd Degree Black Belt in the system
Travelled to China and studied Kungfu full time at a Shaolin Temple for 1 year