Grand Rapids Kendo Kai	Member of the Midwest Kendo Federation and the All United States Kendo Federation
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No Kendo club can exist unless it has a dedicated group of people working together. On this page, you can get to know a little about the sensei and the members who make our program the top Kendo Dojo anywhere.

Chief Instructor

Yutaro Matsuura All-United States Kendo Federation Rokudan (6th Dan) Has been practicing Kendo since 1983. He started Kendo growing up in Montreal under the guidance of the late Douglas T. Funamoto Sensei (7th Dan Kiyoshi). Matsuura Sensei has been the chief instructor of the Grand Rapids Kendo Kai since 2004. Matsuura Sensei still actively competes and has been the coach of the Midwest Kendo Federation Team since 2007. He led the team to two silvers and one bronze at the 2008 All United States Kendo Federation Championships. Matsuura Sensei was also selected to attend the Foreign Leader's Seminar held annually in Kitamoto, Japan (2007). Was promoted to Kendo Rokudan (6th Dan) in July 2009.

Assistant

Stephen Chaffin Nidan (2nd Dan) Stephen is our most dedicated member. He's doing Kendo 5 times a week and has a goal to advance as fast as possible. Hobbies include playing ice hockey, lifting weights, playing guitar, and reading. He also has a passion for sport cars. He regularly places high in tournaments, and he is 2007 Mudansha champion at Detroit.

Senior Members

Travis Hill Nidan (2nd Dan) Travis Hill began Kendo at the age of 13 and has quickly become one of the top Kenshi in the United States at the age of 18. He is multiple times Midwest, Detroit, Northeast, Student, and Michigan champion (the only one to ever hold all five titles simultaneously). He is also a National silver medalist.

Jordan Holmgren Nidan (2nd Dan) Jordan began Kendo in 2004 and is our second most senior member. A 2nd Dan, he is a 10-time medalist including 2009 Michigan Family, Shodan/Nidan division, and the Team Championship in the GNEUSKF Tournament in Cleveland '07 alongside Stephen Chaffin, Travis Hill, and Matsuura Sensei. Jordan is a student at Michigan State University and is studying Marketing.

Dave Noonan 1st Kyu Most senior member of the Grand Rapids Kendo Kai. Dave is employed at a large food distribution center.

Vlad Trusevich 1st Kyu. Vlad is a 2009 Michigan champion, Mudansha division. Vlad is a software designer and a photographer. In spare time he enjoys traveling, sailing and driving fast cars.

Tarra Den Besten 2nd Kyu.

Kam Robles 2nd Kyu

Spencer Chan 3rd Kyu

Stephanie Maciejewski 5th Kyu

New students

Kat

Tim

A nice class photo from class from September