In his youth, Conroy Copeland took a karate class at a high school gym and found a life-long passion.

After that first lesson at W.D. Lowe in 1972, Copeland ‘s love of the martial arts took him around the world as a competitor and a trainer.

By 1978, Copeland was teaching karate at Oakwood Community Centre and that same year, he established Copeland’s Martial Arts & Fitness Centre on University Ave. The club outgrew its space twice before settling into a 4,000 square-foot facility on Dougall Ave.

Through the years, Copeland has taught thousands of students. While his club boasts 40 black belts, its focus has always centred on building strength in mind and body with a goal of improving self-esteem and nurturing respect and courtesy.

Copeland’s students have gone on to win gold at international events in Japan, Brazil, England, Italy and all across the U.S.

As an athlete, Copeland earned a black belt in Aikido, a modern form of Japanese martial arts, in 1984. He won six gold medals at the Canadian Open Championships. He took gold in sparring (‘90, ’93, ’96, ‘00), in kata (’89) and weapons (1991) at the Canadian Open and earned bronze in sparring (’93, ’95).

He’s a three-time Michigan amateur kickboxing (’85, ’91, ’95) champion.

At World Karate Organization Championships, he earned two gold (’96, ’02), one silver (’98) and a bronze (’00).

Copeland won silver at the 2004 Ozawa Cup in Las Vegas, annually one of the largest karate tournaments in North America. He now joins the builder’s category of the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.