Sensei Stephen Baranyi

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Stephen Baranyi has been training and teaching at Zen Mixed Martial Arts since 2012. Stephen has more than three decades of experience studying, competing, coaching, and teaching traditional karate.

Stephen's martial arts journey began with Washin-Ryu Karate in Toronto. He later continued his training in Kyokushin Karate-do under Shihan Roberto Cascante in San José, Costa Rica. Upon his return to Canada he continued his karate training in Chito-Ryu  karate under Renshi Steve Parker. During this period, he competed in local, national, and regional karate tournaments.

Washin-Ryu Karate Black Belt – 1989
Awarded by Sensei Burt Konzak, Toronto Academy of Karate 

Kyokushin Karate 2nd Dan – 1992
Awarded 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

Stephen's instruction emphasizes strong technical fundamentals 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. For advanced practitioners, he teaches bunkai, exploring the practical application of kata movements, while also sharing the history, traditions, and philosophical principles of karate-do.

In 2019, Stephen earned his NCCP Level 2 Karate Coaching Certification through Karate Ontario. 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.

Outside the dojo, Stephen is a Full Professor in the School of International Development and Global Studies at the University of Ottawa. His academic career has focused on teaching and international research in human rights, governance, and development, with work spanning countries including Cameroon, Colombia, Haiti, and Morocco.

His extensive experience as both an educator and martial artist brings a thoughtful, analytical, and student-centered approach to every class he teaches.