Kieran Kichuk was born on November 19, 1995, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. However, his early years were spent in San Diego, California, as his family moved there when he was just a baby. After five years in the United States, the Kichuk family returned to Canada, settling in Markham, Ontario, where they made their home. Sports played a major role in Kieran’s upbringing, influenced by his father, a former national-level track athlete and NCAA Division 1 runner. His father’s passion for athletics became the foundation for the family’s involvement in physical activities. While there was no obligation for any of the four Kichuk children to compete in sports, daily running became a cherished family tradition. This early exposure sparked Kieran’s interest in competitive athletics, particularly in track and field, where he specialized in the 1500-meter race and cross-country running, competing at regional and provincial levels. In 2009, at the age of 13, Kieran was inspired by UFC fighter Georges St-Pierre’s success, which led him to explore martial arts. He began training in Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu but, after six months, decided to focus exclusively on grappling. This decision led him to leave his high school track team and join the wrestling program, where he eventually competed at the provincial level.
