CBA 2016: Gerry and Christian Fortin win Sports & Recreation award

Gerry Fortin built it and they came.

Almost 40 years ago, Chief Master Gerry Fortin opened a martial arts school in the Dowling area. Today about 500 students of all ages take classes with the Korean Martial Arts Centre (KMAC), which has expanded to three other locations: Sudbury, Valley East and Coniston.

Running KMAC-Sudbury, which is affiliated with Gymzone Gymnastics on Gemmell St., is a part-time vocation and a full-time passion. Gerry ran the school while working as a millwright and supervisor at Falconbridge Ltd. Gerry has retired, but still teaches an occasional class. Gerry`s son, Christian, has followed in his father`s footsteps and has taken over operating the Sudbury school. Christian is a professor and co-ordinator of the millwright program at Collège Boréal.

Master Gerry not only pioneered the Hapkido style in Sudbury, but he also founded one of the longest-running Martial Arts Tournaments in Ontario: the Nickel Capital Budo Challenge. Christian continues to run this tournament with one of Master Gerry`s first students, Master Charles Coutu, who operates KMAC in the Valley.

“My dad started to get me involved when I was six. Martial Arts back then was very militant, very serious. I just hated it. I remember crying even though I wanted to spend time with my father. But, when I was 10, I really fell in love with martial arts,” says Master Christian, who has a sixth-degree black belt.

Christian, who is married with two small children, Emilie and Eric, spends most of his spare time running this family operation.

“When my wife, Nicki, first met me, she quickly realized the number of hours I spend at the club. She knew if she wanted to get to know me, she had better join. She did, and she now has a black belt. She is very supportive of the club.”

Nicki had never seen anyone so dedicated to their passion as her grandfather Gerry McCrory (Mr. Hockey), who won the CB Award for Sports and Recreation in 2008. That was true until she met Christian and Gerry Fortin.

At KMAC-Sudbury, approximately 30 percent of the students are girls and women who are attracted to the fitness and self-defence aspects of the sport. The school also opens its doors to those individuals with special needs. No one will be turned away; it is important everyone feels included and has the opportunity to learn.

Students take two classes each week, but many are there six days a week. As a result of the dedication from the students and instructors, the school has produced world champions who have had the opportunity to compete in Florida, Ireland and Italy. Some athletes started classes as youngsters and have continued their association with the school as adults; teaching or further developing their skills.


Lissa Aubin, a third-degree black belt writes, “We do not only practise cool patterns, (we) learn kicks, punches, and techniques, weapons sparring and acrobatics. Master Fortin has taught numerous individuals about self-respect, honour, loyalty, equality, appreciation and trust. Students indirectly learn qualities that will make them successful in their own lives.”

“One of the secrets of my dad’s success is creating not just a community of people interested in martial arts, but really making them a part of the family,” says Christian.

First-degree black belt instructor Tammy Rivers, whose daughter also attends the school, says, “This father-and-son team has inspired so many martial arts students and their families to be the best they can be in all areas of life.”

KMAC-Sudbury students are community-minded; they want to make a difference by helping out others. Over the last five years, they have raised close to $10,000 for the CTV Christmas Telethon and have also participated in food drives to support the local food bank. Future plans are in the works to assist the less fortunate and to contribute to the infant food bank.

Gerry and Christian Fortin’s dedication and commitment to the people in our community make them true Community Builders.

“It was never about money, never about business,” says Christian. “We do it for love of the sport.”Gerry Fortin built it and they came.

Almost 40 years ago, Chief Master Gerry Fortin opened a martial arts school in the Dowling area. Today about 500 students of all ages take classes with the Korean Martial Arts Centre (KMAC) which has expanded to four locations: Sudbury, Valley East, Coniston and Dowling.

Running KMAC-Sudbury, which is affiliated with Gymzone Gymnastics on Gemmell St., is a part-time vocation and a full-time passion. Gerry ran the school while working as a millwright and supervisor at Falconbridge Ltd. Gerry has retired, but still teaches an occasional class. Gerry`s son, Christian, has followed in his father`s footsteps and has taken over operating the Sudbury school. Christian is a professor and co-ordinator of the millwright program at Collège Boréal.

Master Gerry not only pioneered the Hapkido Style in Sudbury, but he also founded one of the longest running Martial Arts Tournaments in Ontario: the Nickel Capital Budo Challenge. Christian continues to run this tournament with one of Master Gerry`s first students, Master Charles Coutu, who operates KMAC in the Valley.

“My dad started to get me involved when I was six. Martial Arts back then was very militant, very serious. I just hated it. I remember crying even though I wanted to spend time with my father. But, when I was 10, I really fell in love with martial arts,” says Master Christian, who has a sixth-degree black belt.

Christian, who is married with two small children, Emilie and Eric, spends most of his spare time running this family operation.

“When my wife, Nicki, first met me, she quickly realized the number of hours I spend at the club. She knew if she wanted to get to know me, she had better join. She did, and she now has a black belt. She is very supportive of the club.”

Nicki had never seen anyone so dedicated to their passion as her grandfather Gerry McCrory (Mr. Hockey), who won the CB Award for Sports and Recreation in 2008. That was true until she met Christian and Gerry Fortin.

At KMAC-Sudbury, approximately 30 percents of the students are girls and women who are attracted to the fitness and self-defence aspects of the sport. The school also opens its doors to those individuals with special needs. No one will be turned away; it is important everyone feels included and has the opportunity to learn.

Students take two classes each week, but many are there six days a week. As a result of the dedication from the students and instructors, the school has produced World Champions who have had the opportunity to compete in Florida, Ireland and Italy. Some athletes started classes as youngsters and have continued their association with the school as adults; teaching or further developing their skills.

Lissa Aubin, a third-degree black belt writes, “We do not only practise cool patterns, learn kicks, punches, and techniques, weapons sparring and acrobatics. Master Fortin has taught numerous individuals about self-respect, honour, loyality, equality, appreciation and trust.” Students indirectly learn qualities that will make them successful in their own lives.”

“One of the secrets of my dad’s success is creating not just a community of people interested in martial arts, but really making them a part of the family,” says Christian.

First-degree black belt instructor Tammy Rivers, whose daughter also attends the school, says,“This father-and-son team has inspired so many martial arts students and their families to be the best they can be in all areas of life.”

KMAC-Sudbury students are community-minded; they want to make a difference by helping out others. Over the last five years, they have raised close to $10 000 for the CTV Christmas Telethon and have also participated in food drives to support the local food bank. Future plans are in the works to assist the less fortunate and to contribute to the infant food bank.

Gerry and Christian Fortin’s dedication and commitment to the people in our community make them true Community Builders.

“It was never about money, never about business,” says Christian. “We do it for love of the sport.”