SHAH FRANCO'S BIOGRAPHY
SHAH FRANCO
Today, Shah continues to teach private lessons, group seminars, and serve as a technical and business consultant to numerous dojos and their instructors. Serves as Program Director at Shah Franco Martial Arts, where he continues to mentor students and build systems for longevity in martial arts education.
He is the creator of The Old Guard Academy, an app-based curriculum designed to promote safety, pedagogy, and longevity in the martial arts. He is also the author of Arte Suave, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu self-defense book. Shah’s vision is rooted in athlete development, legacy preservation, and cultivating discipline through innovative, accessible martial arts education.
Beginning of journey
At the Age of 9 Shah Franco commitment to martial arts began. Wanting to pursue karate at a higher level, he began training at Japan Martial Arts Center in 1977. Always interested in all martial arts, he started training judo with Sensei Bill Innes, and won his first Judo tournament at the Japanese Cultural Center in the Novice division. By the age of 17, he was the youngest member of Team Karate Ontario (Adult division)
NATIONAL CHAMPION
His competitive accolades include multi Ontario provincial championships, team captain, and provincial coach titles. He repeated this on a national level, by winning the Canadian Karate Championships, and being the Canadian Team Captain at the World Championships in Sun City, South Africa.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
His International competitive achievements include International Karate Association World Championship World Title (1984, Los Angeles), North American Karate Champion title (WUKO WKF, Mexico 1991), and a top-eight finish at the IOC World Games (Den Hauge Holland, 1992).
SHAH FRANCO ACADEMY
Shah Franco Martial Arts was founded in 1992, originally a base for Olympic Sport karate, later evolved into a dojo that integrated Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts. SFMA would become the first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in Toronto, and one of the first Canadian super gyms for Mixed Martial Arts.
SUPER COAH
During this period, he came to be known as Canada's First Supercoach of MMA. Shah coached and managed elite professional MMA athletes, preparing them for competition in global promotions such as Shooto (Japan), Ring of Fire (USA), UCC/TKO (Canada) and UFC. Alongside technical coaching, he managed high-stakes negotiations, matchmaking, and logistical planning with cultural and regulatory expertise.
GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION
His competitive career has earned him honors from Ontario Sport Ministry’s International Achievement Award in Amateur Sport.
SILVER JUBLIEE
Old toronto martial arts academy is now 25 Years Old. It is one of the oldest and 1st Martial arts academy in Canada