Builder : Martial Arts
Year Inducted: 2020-2021
Born in: Ottawa, Ontario

John Therien is synonymous with martial arts in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. A ninth degree black belt in Jiu Jitsu, John has earned the prestigious title of ‘Hanshi’, which means Leader of Leaders. Through his schools scattered throughout the region, John has coached and certified thousands of students to Black Belt status over the last 50 years. For nearly two decades, he was a manager and coach to 23-time World Kickboxing Champion, Jean-Yves Theriault. Therien was inducted into the Canadian Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2010, and is currently the Executive Director of the World Kobudo Federation, and he is a mentor to other instructors around the world.