Raymond Deschamps started his martial arts career at the age of 15 at a local Judo club in an Ottawa community centre in the neighbourhood of Lower Town, at the corner of King Edward ave. & Murray st.
Under the instruction of Sensei Gilles Champaign, Raymond Deschamps developed the love of the martial arts that he would eventually pass onto many students. From his humble beginnings studying the art of Judo, Raymond discovered the art of Karate (empty hand).
After meeting Sensei Andre Langelier, he enrolled in the Langelier School of Karate; transitioning from Judo to Karate. Raymond earned his black belt in 1967. Having received instruction from Master Langelier and being graded by; and receiving his black belt certification from master Langelier’s own instructor; Master Masami Tsuruoka, Raymond Deschamps took his first steps to the continuation of the Tsuruoka lineage of Chito-Riu karate.
In 2013 Raymond Deschamps received his 8th degree black belt from Master Masami Tsuruoka. It was a great honour for him to receive his 8th degree black belt from the same master who gave him his first degree 53 years earlier. He was among the last few to receive their black belts from Master Tsuruoka as Master Tsuruoka died in 2014.
In addition to his 8th degree black belt in Chito-Riu karate, Raymond Deschamps also holds a black belt in Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu, obtained in 1974 under Professor Georges Sylvain and augmented his training with american boxing. In 2014 Raymond Deschamps was awarded the title of Kyoshi (Senior Instructor) by the World Kobudo Federation.
Throughout his martial arts career Raymond Deschamps actively participated in numerous national and international martial arts tournaments winning a string of local, regional, national and international titles.
In 1987, he was chosen to represent Canada at the world Karate Championship, held in Munich, Olympic Stadium, and Germany. The three day event, featuring numerous competitors from over 32 countries, was televised throughout Europe. At the age of 42 year at the time, he was oldest competitor there and went on to defeat many competitors almost half his age to win 2nd place in the men’s middle weight kumite decision.
He was also rated Top Senior Fighter and Kata in Canada in 1994 and 1996, #1 Fighter of the Year in 1994. In 1994 and 1996 he was cast in several commercial roles as well as a role on the martial arts action movie “Tiger Claws 2”.
Other athletic achievements include:
1966 Langelier Karate Dojo – Club Championship
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Intermidiate
1974 Canadian Championship Ottawa (sponsor by Langelier Karate Dojo)
4TH place Kumite (sparring) Mens Black Belt
1984 – 2e Tournoi Provincial de Karate D’Aylmer (sponsor by Gilles Depere)
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1984 – 1e Championnat de Karate Coupe de Quebec
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1984 – 11e Tournoi de Karate Mascoushe, Quebec
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1985 – 2e Tournoi des Maitres – Montreal, Quebec
1St place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1986 M.A,S,K. Championship
2ND place Kata (forms) special division – Men’s Black Belt
3RD place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
1986 – 1e Championat Karate Ouvert Region de la Capitale Nationale
1ST place Kunite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
3RD place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
1987 – 2e Championat Karate Ouvert Region de la Capitale Nationale (Chito Kan)
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1987 – 5e Championat de Karate Ouvert de L’Ouest du Quebec
1St place Kunite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1ST place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
3RD place Weapons
1987 – 8e Championat Shotokan Ouvert
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1987 Chito-Kai Master Invitational
1St place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1988 Battle of the Border Open Karate Championship
1ST place Kunite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
2ND place Kata (Forms) Men’s Black Belt
1988 Championat de Karate Ouvert (sponsor by Desjardins Val D’Or)
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1988 St Estache International Kempo
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1988 Championat International de Karate “Philips”
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1988 Championat de Karate Ouvert (sponsor by Myre Karate Do)
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1989 Canadian Classic Open
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
2ND place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
1989 Ottawa Valley’s Open Karate Tournament (sponsor by Rick Dionne / Enbrum)
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
2ND place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
1990 Championnat de L’Ouest du Quebec
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1990 Yodansha Kobujitsu Kartate Doh Federation Championship
Gold Metal – Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1992 Battle of Atlanta (sponsor by Joe Corleys)
Gold Metal – Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
Bronze Metal – Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
Bronze Metal – Weapons – Men’s Black Belt
1992 Championat Ouvert Maniwaki
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1ST place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
1993 Coupe Trans AM
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1ST place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
1994 Rideau Osgoode Karate Club Championship
Gold Metal – Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1994 – 2ND Annual Steel City Classic
1St place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1994 Samurai Klassic Open – Bufflo, N.Y
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1ST place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt – special division
1994 Canadian Diamond Challenge Toronto Canada
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1994 Empire State Nationals — USA — New York City
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1ST place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
3RD place Weapons – Men’s Black Belt
1994 Rideau Osgoode Karate Club Championship
Gold Metal – Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
Bronze Metal –Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
1994 WKF Pramateur Robert Panneton
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
2ND place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
3RD place Weapons – Men’s Black Belt
1994 the KFD Nationals Open Martial Arts Tournament
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1994 The Battle on the Border Open Karate Championship
2ND place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1994 Douvris Classic (sponsor by John Douvris – Ottawa)
3RD place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1994 -11e Tournoi de Karate Ouvert National de Val D’Or, Quebec
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1994 Bay of Quinte Karate Championship
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
2ND place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
1994 Championnat National des Arts Martiaux
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
2ND place Kata (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1995 – 15TH Annual Classic Open Karate Championship
2ND place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1997 La Classique de Montreal (5e edition) Karate Plus
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
1997 3RD Annual Canada Cup Martial Arts Championship (Toronto,Canada)
1ST place Kumite (sparring) Men’s Black Belt
2ND place Kata (forms) Men’s Black Belt
Raymond’s love of the martial arts had expanded to the point where he wished to give back to the community and art that he had grown to love. So, in early 1970 he opened his first martial artist studio in Orleans. When he opened his first studio the population of the town of Orleans (now part of the Ottawa) was approximately 6,000 and Queen Wood highs had just starting to building homes.
His first karate classes were held in the basement of St Joseph Catholic Church in Orleans, later moving to Garneau High school gym as his classes grew. In 1976 he establish a permanent residence on 2266 St Joseph blvd in the basement of Desi Convenience food market.
By 1980 his student roster required even more space so he moved to the, then new, Orleans Recreation Complex (now known as the Bob McQuarrie – Orleans), where his studio remained until 1990. Wanting more control over his studio facilities, Raymond decided to purchase an industrial condo bay on 1420 Youville St, where he operated his school until 2012; when he sold the building.
Over this 40 year period, Raymond has taught martial arts in Orleans and Rockland and produced international and local martial arts events in the Orleans area, including:
–The 3 day WKF symposium, witch attracted over 3,000 martial artists from over 30 countries
–Annual Classic Martial Art Tournaments in Orleans that would attract competitors from all over Canada and the USA.
In 1988, Raymond received the special award of “Athlete of the year” from the city of Gloucester in recognition of his athletic achievement and his contributions to the the athletics and martial arts communities as well as his contributions to the community and the local economy. In receiving this honour he joins the ranks of people like Elizabeth Manley, who had received the same award before him.
In 1997, at age 52, Raymond decided to retire from competition and focus on passing on what he had learned over his long career. Though his travels he had the opportunity and honour to meet and learn from from many of the world martial arts masters. These lessons have greatly influenced his teaching style and training methods as he wend on to influence many young martial arts enthusiasts, producing some excellent martial artists over the years, honouring the Tsuruoka lineage. At 72 years old, Raymond Deschamps is still active in the Ottawa martial arts community, now located at the Ray Friel Recreational Complex as “Champs Martial Arts”.
Raymond’s contributions to the martial arts have been recognized by the Canadian Karate Association as he has been inducted into the Canadian Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He accepted his award with great honour on May 20, 2017 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Gatineau, Quebec.
—Submitted
The greatest master I’ve ever studied and learned so very much from