Eugene Shewchuk knows a lot about self defence. He began learning karate at the age of 12 and started learning kung fu a couple years later, but the real eye opener came when he discovered more practical fighting styles like Muay Thai kickboxing and Greco-roman wrestling. Eventually he spent eight years in Asia for school and work, and that was where he discovered the Russian fighting style of Sambo.
In 2000, he opened his own martial arts gym, Club Kozak, in Montreal. There’s a shelf on the wall decked with medals and trophies from tournaments over the years, but while Eugene’s competitive days are mostly behind him now he has no intention of giving up his sport.
“When I came back here after eight years in Asia, I was interested in opening up a gym and transferring my knowledge,” says Eugene. “I was still competing in the early years of the gym. I've never really retired, but I’m more concentrated on my students than myself.”
