Instructors

Masters

Saiko Shihan Osamu Hirano

Hanshi JKF 8th Dan

Go Ju Ryu Karate Do

Ku Yu Kai President

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

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Sensei

Senior black belts -  Sensei for Ku Yu Kai Canada.

Julie Zilber, 5th 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

Kyoshi 7th Dan

Go Ju Ryu Karate Do

Ku Yu Kai Vice President

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.

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Debbie Hoy, 3rd Dan

Rei Jiloca, 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