Our instructors are all seasoned Karateka who passionately volunteer their time in order to pass on their skill, knowledge and love of Karate.
Harvey Hiob
Chief Instructor
Rokudan (6th degree black belt)
Renshi (Expert International Master Instructor Certification)
Sensei Hiob began his martial arts training in Edmonton in January, 1984 under Sensei John Shaw. He received his 1st and 2nd degree black belt under Sensei David Aukutagawa, his 3rd degree from Hanshi Shane Yukio Higashi (Toronto) and his 4th degree from Sensei Tsuyoshi Chitose (Kumamoto, Japan). Sensei Hiob received his Shihan certification in November of 2008, his 5th degree black belt in October, 2014, his Renshi certification in November, 2016 and his 6th degree black belt in October, 2022 from Hanshi Higashi and the Canadian Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Association. He is presently continuing his study of the martial arts under the guidance of Hanshi Shane Higashi, Chief Instructor of Chito-Ryu karate in Canada. Sensei Hiob is the Alberta Technical Director for the CCRKA.
Yee Ngan
Karate/Kobujutsu Instructor
Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt)
Shihan (International Master Instructor Certification)
Shodan (Ryukyu Kobujutsu)
Vlad Pohnert
Head Children’s Instructor
Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt)
Shidoin (International Instructor Certification)
Sensei Vlad began his karate training in 1999 at the age of 34. He joined
the Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club and began his Chito-Ryu training
under Sensei Harvey Hiob in June, 2000. Sensei Vlad received
his third degree black belt in May, 2017 and Shidoin certification in December, 2022 from Hanshi Shane Higashi. He enjoys teaching karate to young people and has been actively involved in teaching the club’s children’s class for the last 10 years. Sensei Vlad enjoys training with anyone interested in karate and greatly appreciates the good friendships he has made through this martial art.
David Gannon
Instructor
Sandan (3nd Degree Black Belt) and Junshidoin (International Assistant Instructor Certification)
Sensei Gannon first began his martial arts training in Grande Prairie in 1994
at age 22 in Shorin Ryu. After a few years sabbatical, he trained in European Swordsmanship in Edmonton for 2 years before joining the Edmonton Yoseikan Karate club in 2008 under Sensei Hiob. His plan was to train with his children and continue his journey in the Japanese Martial Arts. Sensei Gannon received his 2nd degree black belt and Junshidoin certification in November, 2017 and his 3rd degree black belt in December, 2022 from Hanshi Shane Yukio Higashi (Toronto) and the Canadian Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Association.
He enjoys teaching karate to younger people and the Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club is his second family.
Erika Hiob
Jr Instructor
Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt)
Sensei Erika began her karate training in 1985. She then took a 20 year break to raise her four daughters, all the while attending many karate classes, clinics and tournaments, observing and encouraging from the sidelines. All four of Erika’s daughters have received their black belts in Chito-Ryu karate. Erika resumed her own training at the Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club in the fall of 2004, under the instruction of her husband, Sensei Harvey Hiob. She received her 1st degree black belt in the fall of 2011 from Hanshi Shane Higashi and the Canadian Chito-Ryu Karate-do Association and her 2nd degree in November of 2014.
Erika loves the fellowship and family atmosphere of the EYKC and is encouraged to see families train together.
Keven Racette
Instructor
Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) and Junshidoin (International Assistant Instructor Certification)Sensei Keven started his karate training as a teenager in Saskatchewan under Sensei David Duckworth. After two years of training he did not train again until he began taking Chito-Ryu karate classes at the Edmonton Yoseikan dojo with Sensei Harvey Hiob at the age of 41. He received his 1st degree Black belt in May of 2017, his 2nd degree in November of 2019 and his Junshidoin in May, 2022 from Hanshi Shane Higashi and the Canadian Chito-Ryu Karate-do Association. Keven is a great asset to the dojo as he serves as treasurer and helps in the instruction of new adult students. He is also studying Ryuku Kobujutsu at the dojo under Sensei Yee Ngan.
