O'SENSEI GEORGES SYLVAIN
CREATOR AND FOUNDER OF CAN-RYU JIU-JITSU
O’Sensei Georges Sylvain began in journey into the combative arts in 1953 when he joined the Canadian Military Police during the Korean War. Since his initial introduction into Unarmed Combat Mr. Sylvain has trained in several martial arts including Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Weapons, Standard Police Techniques and Western Boxing. His knowledge was acquired while training with various Military Instructors both in Canada and in Germany where he spent 2 years with the Occupation Forces.
From 1964 to 1966, he was the Chief Instructor for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police self-defense instructors at Rockliffe, Ontario before the relocation to Regina, Saskatchewan.
Mr. Sylvain is a 4th degree black belt in the Chito-Ryu Karate and a 8th degree black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. He is the Founder of Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu, the Canadian Style of Jiu-Jitsu. This type of Jiu-Jitsu is now practiced across Canada. Mr. Sylvain is also the President of the Canadian Jiu-Jitsu Union.
O’Sensei Sylvain is a well-known Tactical Training Officer with an international reputation. He is a 15-year veteran of police officer both military and civilian. He has written 4 books on self-defense from a peace officer point of view. His latest publication is a training manual for police officers on the use of the Algonquin College Sure-Grip “Scepter” Baton. The “Scepter” Baton is a police baton, more commonly referred to as an impact weapon. These books some of which have been sold in 13 countries, are used in Police Academies throughout North America. Most people recognize him by the title of Professor Sylvain.
In 1986 he was awarded the Order of Merit from the Algonquin College Student Association for devotion to his students also in the same year he was presented with the Dr. Laurent Isabelle Award for excellence in teaching.
In 1988 he was awarded the Pressure Point Control Management System Meritorious Award at the first annual seminar held in St-Louis Missouri.
O’Sensei Sylvain was the current President of Technical Training Systems Inc. a private consulting company for Police, Corrections and Security agencies. He is certified in Canada as an expert witness in the use of force and has testified on behalf of police officers on several different occasions. Mr. Sylvain is the first Canadian Police Trainer of any kind ever to be invited as a guest lecturer (1989) to the Smith and Wesson Police Academy, in Springfield Ma. After 25 years as a Tactical Police Trainer at the Algonquin College, O’Sensei Sylvain is now retired and acting as a consultant for Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in Canada. He currently resides in Ottawa, Ontario and is active in instructing high-level black belt course.
He is also the first Martial Artist to be inducted into the Canadian Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
In 2003, O’Sensei Sylvain was recognized by his peers for his dedication to martial arts and self-defense. As the founder of the Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu System he was awarded his 10th degree black belt and the title of O’Sensei
Also in 2003, Mr. Sylvain authored the book, Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu 2000, A 50 Year Journey into the Study and Evaluation of Self-Protection Techniques and Tactics. This book is a compilation of his experiences and expertise over his martial arts career. Is used as the bible for Can-Ryu instructors across Canada under the direction of Mr. Sylvain.
O'Sensei retired from the martial arts in 2008, he has entrusted the Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu system to Sensei Ed Hiscoe.