Shihan Roman Szyrajew first started his karate training around 1969 under Sensei Roger Lesourd who brought Kyokushin Karate to Quebec when he returned from Japan. He stayed with Sensei Roger Lesourd until he was 1st Kyu (brown belt/black stripe). He then studied under numerous instructors until he went to Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1980 to meet and train under Shihan Shigeru Oyama for over 10 years. During this time, Roman participated in many seminars with Shihan Y. Oyama and Shihan Miura. Under Shigeru Oyama's tutelage, Roman received his Sandan (3rd Dan) and Yondan (4th Dan) certificates. Roman was the Canadian Representative for the North American Kyokushin Organization during this association. Roman also had the privilege of studying with Shihan Steve Arneil during his business trips to England, going two or three times a year for periods of one to two weeks at a time. "I have learned a tremendous amount from Shihan S. Oyama and Shihan S. Arneil, and thank them enormously on all phases of Budo Kyokushin training."
Roman attended the World Tournament in November 1991, where he met Oyama Sosai for the first time and was appointed Canadian Branch Chief. In July 1992, he had the honor of teaching for two weeks at Shihan Marc Van Walleghem's dojo in Antwerpen, Belgium. Roman and Marc have remained steadfast friends since the time they first met at the 1991 World Tournament. In May 1993, Roman had the pleasure of experiencing the Yugawara Camp where he was graded by Oyama Sosai to Godan (5th Dan) and received his Kyoshi Certificate (Instructor's Certificate). Roman also holds a Referee Certificate from Honbu. Roman participated in the Oyama Cup in Katowice, Poland, in 1993. After the tournament, he had the honor of sitting with Oyama Sosai at a restaurant and speaking with him. Sadly, it was to be the last time before Sosai's death. In April 1994, he flew to Japan like so many hundreds of other karatekas to attend Sosai's memorial ceremony.
Roman was one of the first to support Matsui Kancho upon his nomination as director of I.K.O. He trained under his leadership and attended several seminars in Japan, including the Mount Mitsumine Camp. He has also had the honor of training under Shihan Isobe and Shihan Royama during his trips to Japan. He had the privilege of training with Shihan John Taylor at Yugawara Camp under Matsui Kancho. Roman participated in the 1995 World Tournament, entering his student, Sensei Joe Addesso, as a competitor. In July 1997, Roman sent his student, Sempei Sosthene Mailloux, to Japan to train as uchi-deshi at Honbu.
Roman personally helped many dojos to grow and prosper without remuneration for over 20 years before opening his own in 1991 because of the love he has for the martial arts and what it has done for him. During that time, he promoted Kyokushin Karate on many television programs with students of all ages. Among these TV programs, there were two best and most memorable ones: "YOU ASKED FOR IT", which was broadcast on over 100 stations on national television and hosted by comedian Rich Little, and "THE PIERRE LALONDE SHOW", a well-known variety special in Quebec. Some of the feats he performed were: breaking two baseball bats simultaneously with one blow from the sun (shin), breaking 10 blocks of cement with shuto (hand) and hiji (elbow), and breaking (with shuto) six blocks of ice measuring 10 inches thick and 39 inches long, doused with gasoline and set aflame.
Throughout the years, there were many people Roman worked and trained with from whom he received enormous support. Among them Shihan Stuart Corrigal of Vancouver, Canada, and Shihan Bobby Lowe of Hawaii. Roman joined Shihan Corrigal many times at karate camps and also taught at Shihan Corrigal's dojo. He has high admiration for him and considers Shihan Stuart a very long-time friend. Roman participated in numerous clinics with Shihan Lowe and thanks him for all his knowledge and advice.
Learning from all the above teachers has made Shihan Roman a far more complete karateka in true Budo spirit. Roman is known for teaching hard and strenuous classes in the old style which is harder and rougher. He continues to promote Mas Oyama's Kyokushin Karate at his own dojo and forms others under his supervision.
In December of 1997, Roman resigned from IKO-1 and is now affiliated with the I.K.O. Matsushima as the North American Chairman and Canada Branch Chief under Kancho Matsushima and Hanshi John Taylor.
Shihan Roman has been ranked Nanadan (7th Dan) by Kancho Matsushima.
