Category
Builder
Sport
Karate
Hometown
Grande Digue
Year Inducted
2010
builder
Alcide Bourque (D)
HONOURED MEMBER
Biography
Alcide Bourque of Grande-Digue is known by many as the “Father of Atlantic Canadian Karate.”He has been an administrator, official, technician, coach, educator, organizer and sponsor during a career that has lasted more than 40 years.In 1970, he organized the first karate school in New Brunswick and, since that time, has opened many more throughout the province and coached thousands of students.At one time, N.B. had the highest number of students in the National Karate Association.Bourque is credited with bringing the Canadian National Black Belt Karate Championships to Moncton in 1975; being influential in establishing the N.B. Karate Association; coaching provincially and nationally; and having students compete on the world stage.He has been inducted into the Moncton Wall of Fame and still teaches karate five days a week at age 77. Enrolled in the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame, June 5, 2010.
Quick Facts
Known by many as the ‘Father of Atlantic Canadian Karate’
Sensei Bourque was granted a Black Belt from Sensei Masami Tsuruoka in 1967
Sensei Bourque opened the Tsuruoka School of Karate in Caissie Cape in 1970 and opened several more throughout NB and PEI
Credited with bringing the Canadian National Black Belt Karate Championships to Moncton in 1975 and being influential in establishing the N.B. Karate Association
Under Sensei Bourque’s tutelage, in the mid 70’s New Brunswick had the highest percentage of students in the National Karate Association
Sensei Bourque has coached thousands of New Brunswickers as well provincial and national teams, including Team Canada’s 8th place finish in Japan (1977)
Inducted into the Moncton Wall of Fame (2005)