Ku Yu Kai stands for Karate Friendship Association. We invite you to nurture your inner "karate kid" in a friendly and safe class environment. Learn basic and advanced techniques, self defense, the graceful art of kata (forms), kumite (sparring), and kubudo (weapons) while improving your strength, flexibility and focus.
Instructors
Masters
Osamu Hirano
8th Dan JFK
Founder of Ku Yu Kai International
(Oct 12, 1940 - Oct 9 2020)
Saikou Shihan (Head Master) Hirano began training in 1953 & became a disciple of Master Shozo Ujita, the past President of the Go-Ju Kai Federation, in 1955, He continued his training with Shihan Gogen Yamaguchi in 1963.
In 1965 Saiko Shihan Hirano was the Gold medal winner for both Individual & Team Match at the All Japan Go-Ju Ryu Karate Championships. In 1967, 1968 & 1969 he won Gold for Team Match at the All Kansai Karate-do Championships, as well as the Bronze for Individual Match in 1968. After 22 years as Chief Instructor at Master Ujita’s Kenbukan dojo, Saiko Shihan established the Ku Yu Kai Go Ju Ryu karatedo. >see training and teaching timeline
Sensei
Senior black belts - Sensei for Ku Yu Kai Canada.
Sensei Julie Zilber, 6th Dan Renshi
Alan Chan, 5th Dan
Edwin Lum, 5th Dan
Joseph Nerida, 5th Dan
Ivan Cheng, 5th Dan (In Memorium)
Shary Kaufman, 4th Dan
Dan McCallum, 4th Dan
Shihan George Chan
8th Dan Hanshi
President Ku Yu Kai International
President Ku Yu Kai Canada
After many years of karate training in Canada and Japan, Shihan George Chan brought the Ku Yu Kai style to Canada and has spread its Go Ju Ryu techniques to dojos in Metro Vancouver. Shihan has taught karate to students in Canada and China, and has officiated at tournaments both in Canada and internationally.
In addition to leading Ku Yu Kai in Canada, Shihan Chan is responsible for Ku Yu Kai in the USA and Hong Kong.
Black Belts
A dedicated group of black belts help with instruction.
Rei Jiloca, 3rd Dan
Jesus Calvino - Fraga, 3rd Dan
Alisa Chan, 2nd Dan
Jesús Calvino-Fraga, 2nd Dan
Que-Tran Hoang, 2nd Dan
Hélène Beauchesne, 2nd Dan
Cedric Lee, 2nd Dan
John Cotter, 1st Dan
Travis Musika, 1st Dan
Brandon Wong, 1st Dan
Juniors Black Belts:
Sara Cotter, 1st Degree
Lilia Hessabi, 1st Degree
Tiffany Jiloca, 1st Degree
Alexander Wong-Ma, 1st Degree
Michaela Lee, 1st Degree
Felix Bai, 1st Degree
Caemon Blakely, 1st Degree