Kyle Lee – Head Instructor

7th Dan, Renshi

Kyle is one of the founders and head instructor of Chinook Kendo Dojo. With over 30 years of Kendo experience and a deep passion for teaching, he brings world-class expertise and a strong mentorship spirit to every class. Kyle has represented Canada on the world stage and continues to lead Alberta’s Kendo development through coaching and community leadership.

🌍 International Experience

• World Kendo Championships

  • 2024 (Italy) – Associate Coach, Team Canada

  • 2021 (France) – Associate Coach, Team Canada

  • 2018 (South Korea) – Captain, Team Canada

  • 2015 (Japan), 2009 (Brazil) – Team Canada Member

🇨🇦 National Leadership

• Canadian National Kendo Championships

  • 2023 – Head Coach, Alberta Provincial Team

  • 2017 – 🥇 1st Place, Men’s Open

  • 2014 – 🥉 3rd Place, Men’s Open

• Canadian National Junior Championships

  • 1st (2022) & 4th (2025) – Tournament Chair

  • 2025–2023 – Head Coach, Alberta Junior Team

  • 2022 – Team Manager

🏆 Tournament Highlights

• Multiple 1st Place finishes across Canada and the U.S. (Montreal, Edmonton, Ontario, Vancouver, Steveston, Alberta, Saskatoon, Cleveland)

🛡️ Coaching & Safety Certifications

• National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) — #6611276

  • Coach Initiation in Sport

  • Creating a Positive Sport Environment & Safe Sport (Rule of Two)

  • Athlete Health & Safety (Concussion Protocol - Making Head Way, Emergency Action Plan)

• Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Certified
   

Noah Yu – Assistant Instructor

6th Dan

Noah brings a wealth of elite competitive experience, technical mastery, and high-energy mentorship from South Korea to Chinook Kendo Dojo. With a distinguished professional and provincial background in Korea, he specializes in advanced tournament sparring strategies, technical precision, and instilling a resilient martial spirit in students of all levels.

🇰🇷 Korea Career & Highlights

• Former Professional Athlete: Gwangmyeong City Hall & Suwon City Hall Kendo Teams

• Former Coach: Seongbuk-gu Office Kendo Team

• Former Captain: Saebit Kendo Team

• Former Seoul Metropolitan City Representative

• Numerous championship titles and podium finishes across major national tournaments in South Korea

🇨🇦 Recent Canadian Highlights​

• 2025 Ontario Senior Kendo Championships – 🥇 1st Place (4-Dan & Above)

• 2025 Alberta Open Kendo Championships – 🥇 1st Place (Men's Open)
   

Octavian Cismas – Assistant Instructor

4th Dan

Octavian brings deep dedication, precision, and foundational expertise to Chinook Kendo Dojo. With valuable international administrative and competitive experience, he focuses on mastering core fundamentals and creating a disciplined, supportive environment for students developing their basics.

🏛️ Leadership & International Experience

• Former President, Romanian Kendo Federation (CRK)

• Team Romania Member, 10th World Kendo Championships (1997, Kyoto, Japan)

• Core fundamentals and technical posture development

• Dedicated instruction and mentorship for beginner & intermediate practitioners
   

Soohyung Ahn – Assistant Instructor

4th Dan

Soohyung brings steadfast dedication, calm leadership, and strong technical fundamentals to Chinook Kendo Dojo. Having developed his practice through years of disciplined training and active community involvement, he plays an essential role in guiding practitioners through foundational techniques, Kihon development, and dojo practice.

⚔️ Leadership & Background

• Achieved 4th Dan (Yondan) at the 2026 Canadian Kendo Federation (CKF) Fall Shinsa

• Foundational technique, Kihon, and sparring development

• Dedicated member support, training leadership, and dojo operations assistance
   

Cecilia Lee – Assistant Instructor

3rd Dan

Cecilia is committed to fostering an encouraging, structured, and empowering training environment at Chinook Kendo Dojo. She plays an essential role in welcoming new practitioners and leading fundamental training, with a special passion for mentoring beginner students and supporting women in Kendo.

🌸 Focus & Leadership

• Fundamental basics and form development

• Beginner training & student onboarding

• Women’s Kendo mentorship and community building