Born on November 19, 1995, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Kieran Kichuk spent only a brief part of his early years there. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to San Diego, California, where they lived for five years before returning to Canada and settling in Markham, Ontario.
Athletics played a central role in Kieran’s upbringing, largely influenced by his father, a former national-level track athlete and NCAA Division 1 runner. His father’s passion for sports encouraged the family to stay active, making physical fitness a key aspect of their daily lives.
While none of the four Kieran Kichuk siblings were required to compete, running became a regular family tradition. Kieran’s interest in athletics led him to compete in track and field, specializing in the 1500-meter race and cross-country running at both regional and provincial levels.
In 2009, inspired by George Saint Pierre’s success in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), 13-year-old Kieran decided to take up martial arts, training in both Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu. After six months, he shifted his focus entirely to grappling, stepping away from striking and even leaving his high school track team to join its wrestling program. His commitment paid off, and he eventually reached the provincial level in wrestling.
Kieran’s jiu-jitsu journey began under Steve Lin, a black belt who played a pivotal role in his development, guiding him from white to brown belt. In 2010, Lin’s gym became affiliated with Team Lloyd Irvin, giving Kieran the opportunity to train with Irvin’s highly competitive squad, Medal Chasers, over the years.
In late 2017, Kieran started training with Fernando Zulick, also known as Gringo, who later awarded him his black belt on December 20, 2020.
