York University Kendo Club
YU Kendo
YU Kendo

York University · Est. 1997

York University Kendo Club

A student-run kendo community at York University. No gear or experience required — beginners welcome, three practices a week.

Join the Club →Learn More
What is Kendo?

The Way of the Sword

Kendo (剣道) is Japan's modern martial art of sword fighting, practiced with bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armour (bogu). A physical and mental discipline — a way to forge the self through practice.

About Us · Est. 1997

York University's
Kendo Club

The York University Kendo Club was founded in 1997. Since its founding, notable sensei have passed through the community — including former Team Canada member and coach Kiyoshi Hao, and former Team Canada captain Shawn Kunhee Kim.

Today, YU Kendo is a competitive team competing in tournaments across Canada, led by Simon U. Choe Sensei.

29+
Years Active
3×
Weekly Practices
YU Kendo club photo at the 2020 Intercollegiate University Kendo Tournament
2020 Intercollegiate University Kendo Tournament
How to Join

Simple registration process.

Registration for beginners opens in September each year. Experienced bogu kendoka can apply year-round with permission from an executive member. Visit reconline.yorkulions.ca to get started.

01

Register Your Membership

Go to reconline.yorkulions.ca. Under 'Memberships', register for 'Kendo Club' ($0 for York students, $30/semester for non-York students) — this serves as your waiver and gives you access to Tait.

02

Choose Your Membership Type

Under 'Sports Clubs', find 'Kendo Club' and select your membership: Fall 2025 ($60), Winter 2026 ($60), or Returning Members ($90/year). For trials only (September), register for 'Kendo Club - Try It!' ($0).

03

Start Training!

You're in. Join our Discord for monthly schedules, event announcements, and to connect with your new teammates right away.

Register Now →
Practice Schedule

When We Train

All practices held at Tait McKenzie Upper Gym, York University Keele Campus.

Monday
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 – 9:00 PM
Saturday
3:30 – 5:00 PM

Posted fresh each month — the latest is always on @yorkukendo and our Linktree.

Tait McKenzie Centre— York University Keele Campus, TorontoOpen in Maps ↗
Events & Tournaments

What's Coming Up

28
JUN

Grading Day

Members test for rank promotion — a meaningful milestone in every kendoka's journey. Spectators always welcome.

Sep
2026

Fall Trial Period

New member trials run September through the first week of October only. Reach out on Discord or Instagram before your first visit — we'll confirm your spot and have a shinai ready for you.

💬 Events are announced on Discord first. Tournaments, gradings, and socials — all posted there. Join via Linktree →

York University Kendo

Meet Our Sensei

  • Simon ChoeHead Sensei
    6 Dan
  • Shawn Kunhee KimAdvisor
    6 Dan
  • Tadashi WakabayashiInstructor
    4 Dan
  • Kiyoshi HaoRetired Head
    7 Dan
  • Fuminori ToyasakiInstructor
    5 Dan
  • Ryan PrendergastInstructor
    5 Dan
  • Matthew ValiquetteInstructor
    4 Dan
先Past Instructors
  • Sung Hwan Kim
  • Tetsuya Kono
  • Shigemitsu Kamata
  • Isaac Ru
  • Kiyoshi Hao
Est. 1997

Club History

A record of the people and achievements that have defined York University Kendo Club since its founding.

2025
PresidentJulia Kim

45th Toronto Kendo Club Anniversary

July 12, 2025
  • Women's Mudansha & Shodan
    2nd Place — Julia Kim
  • Men's Mudansha
    2nd Place — Warrick Bruan

UofT Kendo Tournament

March 29, 2025
  • Division D: Women's Mudansha & Shodan
    1st Place — Raven Wong

Intercollegiate Kendo Tournament — Waterloo University

January 25, 2025
  • Beginner's Team
    1st Place — York A (Dino Wang, Belal Aboulnaga, Owen Zhu, Ian Ho Qihan)
    3rd Place — York D (Abdulmuid Khan, George Anastasopoulos, Ibrahim Boudjelthia, Kirk Audric Escriba)
  • Mixed Open
    3rd Place — Daichi Soso
  • Women's Open
    1st Place — Raven Wong
    3rd Place — Keyara Arca-Stewart
  • Alumni Teams
    2nd Place — York A (CJ Librea, Trevor Zhang, Eric Charles Chiu, Soomin Lee, Matt Valiquette)
YU Kendo Exec Team 2025–2026
Fall / Winter 2025–2026

Meet the Exec Team

→Click to explore
FAQ

Common Questions

Everything you need to know before your first practice. Still have questions?

Current Members

Member Resources

Everything you need as an active YU Kendo member.

📋 Register Now

Go to reconline.yorkulions.ca to register. Choose your membership type: Kendo Club waiver, Fall/Winter semester memberships, or free September trials.

Visit Registration →

💬 Discord Server

Our main hub — announcements, schedule changes, events, and member chat. Check here first for updates.

Join Discord →

📅 Monthly Schedule

Practice schedules are updated monthly. See the current schedule above or check Discord for the latest.

View Schedule →
Partners & Affiliations

Our Partners

YU Kendo is affiliated with and supported by:

York University
Canadian Kendo Federation
International Kendo Federation
Red Bull

Interested in sponsoring YU Kendo?