Main Instructors

Zoran Krunic Sensei, 5th Dan, Chief Instructor

Zoran Krunic Sensei received his shodan from Fujimoto Yoji Sensei, his nidan and sandan from Kawahara Yukio Sensei, and his yondan from Osawa Hayato Sensei. He currently holds the rank of godan, received from Homby Dojo on the recommendation by the Canadian Aikido Federation. He is also a CAF Shidoin, and a past vice-president of the BC Aikido Federation.

Sensei started his Aikido studies in 1986 in Europe, under the supervision of
Fujimoto Shihan. He practiced Aikido intensively in several countries, started teaching in 1993, and moved to Canada in 1995. Sensei chose Vancouver as his destination since Kawahara Shihan, Hombu Dojo’s official representative in Canada, resided there.

During Sensei’s rank progression, Kawahara Shihan asked him to head the
North Vancouver Aikikai dojo, later asking him to become the Chief Instructor of Vancouver Aikikai (Kawahara Sensei’s own, original dojo). Krunic Sensei has lead Vancouver Aikikai for more than fifteen years.

Other than participating in, and helping with, classes and seminars taught by senseis Fujimoto, Kawahara, and Osawa, Krunic Sensei took part in numerous seminars and camps taught by senior Aikido instructors, among others by senseis Tada, Tamura, Yamada, Kanai, Asai, Masuda, and Yokota. He also took part in seminars taught by the current Aikido Doshu, and taught a number of seminars in Canada.

Designate Instructors

These are people who are not official teachers at the club, but who do sub in from time to time.

Jean Lemire, 3rd Dan

Jean joined the Renfrew dojo after moving back to Canada in the Fall of 2010.  He started Aikido in 1989 while living in Japan at a small club that followed Nishio Sensei.  He took a break from the art when he moved to Singapore for work but resumed Aikido in 2002 in England the Sevenoaks Club, affiliated with the British Aikido Federation under Kanetstuka Shihan.  He tested for Shodan in England in 2009 and tested for Nidan at the Kelowna Summer Camp in 2012.  Had the privilege to attend a seminar with the current Doshu in 2010.  Jean also has a keen interest in kenjutsu and cycling.

Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, 3rd Dan

Wolfgang started practicing Aikido in Austria in 1992. After coming to Canada, he studied for about 15 years under George Hewson sensei. Wolfgang passed his Shodan and Nidan in 2003 and 2006 with Yamada sensei and his Sandan with Osawa sensei in 2011. After moving to Vancouver, he joined Vancouver Aikikai and now serves as one of the designated instructors. Wolfgang has attended many seminars with senior instructors, including Shihans Tamura, Yamada, Kawahara, and Osawa. He enjoys the fluidity of the “gentle” art of Aikido.