Born on November 19, 1995, in Hamilton, Ontario, Kieran Kichuk’s journey in martial arts is a testament to dedication and passion. Though Canadian-born, Kieran spent his early years in San Diego, California, before his family settled in Markham, Ontario.
Growing up in a family that valued athletics, Kieran was introduced to sports at a young age. His father, a former national-level track athlete, instilled a love for physical activity in all four Kichuk children. This early exposure to sports laid the foundation for Kieran’s future in competitive martial arts.
5 years with Team Lloyd Irvin and currently trains and represents B-Team Jiu-Jitsu + Action & Reaction MMA
Kieran’s martial arts journey began in 2009 at the age of 13, inspired by the achievements of Georges St-Pierre in the UFC. Initially training in both Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu, Kieran soon focused solely on grappling, a decision that would shape his future career.
His dedication to grappling extended beyond Jiu-Jitsu. Kieran joined his high school’s wrestling program, eventually competing at the Provincial level. This diverse grappling background has contributed to his well-rounded skills on the mat.
Kieran’s first Jiu-Jitsu instructor was Steve Lin, who guided him from white to brown belt. In 2010, Lin’s gym affiliated with Team Lloyd Irvin, providing Kieran with opportunities to train with Lloyd Irvin’s renowned competition squad, the Medal Chasers.
In late 2017, Kieran began training with Fernando Zulick, also known as Gringo. It was under Zulick’s tutelage that Kieran earned his black belt on December 20, 2020.
Kieran has made significant strides in competitive Jiu-Jitsu, with notable achievements including:
As a brown belt, Kieran also secured impressive results: