Sensei Stephen Baranyi

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Stephen Baranyi has been training and teaching at Zen Mixed Martial Arts since 2012. As a dedicated martial arts instructor, Stephen brings over three decades of experience in studying, competing, coaching, and teaching, particularly in traditional karate. 

His martial arts journey began with Washin-Ryu Karate in Toronto before he advanced his skills in Kyokushin Karate-do under Shihan Roberto Cascante in San José, Costa Rica. During this time, he actively competed in local, national, and regional karate tournaments. After returning to train at Zen in 2012, he furthered his knowledge by mastering the Chito-Ryu Karate curriculum under Sensei Kyle Seabrooke.

Washin-Ryu Karate Black Belt – 1989, awarded by Sensei Burt Konzak at the Toronto Academy of Karate.  

Kyokushin Karate 2nd Dan – 1992, conferred by Shihan Roberto Cascante, San José, Costa Rica.  

Chito-Ryu Karate 3rd Dan - June 28, 2025, awarded by Shihans MacCallum, Maxine, and Mullin of Jiyu Shin Karate. As a dedicated martial arts instructor, I have embraced the teachings and philosophies of these diverse karate styles.

Stephen's instruction emphasizes strong technical fundamentals in Chito-Ryu Karate while helping students develop confidence, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for traditional karate. 

With beginner and intermediate students, Stephen focuses on waza (fundamental techniques), kata, and kumite, building a solid technical foundation in martial arts. For advanced practitioners, he teaches bunkai, exploring the practical application of kata movements while sharing the history, traditions, and philosophical principles of karate-do, including insights from Kyokushin Karate. 

In 2019, Stephen earned his NCCP Level 2 Karate Coaching Certification through Karate Ontario. As a dedicated martial arts instructor, he has coached numerous Zen athletes at the provincial level and mentors junior instructors as they develop their own teaching skills and leadership within the academy.