Haven Seto is the Owner and Head Instructor of the Chinese Martial Arts Academy in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he has been teaching and sharing his passion for martial arts for more than 25 years.
Haven began his martial arts journey more than 30 years ago with Wushu and Traditional Kung Fu. Over the years, he has also trained extensively in Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Sanda, Chen-style Taiji, and Wing Chun. He brings more than 25 years of experience teaching Wushu and Kung Fu, along with extensive experience teaching Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Sanda, and Chen-style Taiji.
Throughout his career, Haven has helped develop athletes who have competed at provincial, national, Pan American, and World Wushu Championships. The Chinese Martial Arts Academy was the first martial arts school in Saskatchewan to send athletes to the Canadian National Wushu Championships, where its athletes earned multiple medals. The Academy has also had an athlete selected to represent Canada at both the Pan American and World Wushu Championships and is home to the current WKA Canadian and North American Women’s 63 kg Muay Thai Champion.
In recognition of his longstanding contributions to Wushu, Haven was recently awarded a Silver Medallion and recognized by Wushu Canada as a Master Instructor, Internationally Recognized Duan Wei Level 8. He was also recently inducted into the International Kung Fu Hall of Fame in recognition of his many years of dedication to martial arts and the community.
Beyond competition, Haven is passionate about making martial arts and Chinese culture accessible to the wider community. He has partnered with Saskatoon school divisions to provide martial arts and cultural workshops for students and has collaborated with organizations including the Confucius Institute, Heritage Chinese Language School, the Chinese Dance School of Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Residential School Survivors Circle, and the Federation of Saskatoon Chinese Canadian Organization.
The Academy regularly participates in community festivals and cultural events, including the Lunar New Year Gala and Saskatoon Folkfest. Haven’s more than 25 years of coaching, mentorship, and community involvement were honoured through the presentation of an eagle feather by Elder Peter Gardippi of Beardy’s Okemasis First Nation. The eagle feather is a deeply respected Indigenous symbol, and its presentation was a meaningful recognition of Haven’s longstanding commitment to bringing people together, building community, and contributing to the lives of others through sport and mentorship.
For Haven, the martial arts are about more than physical training. They provide an opportunity to build confidence, develop discipline, connect with others, and become part of a welcoming community. He is passionate about helping students of all ages and experience levels discover the benefits and enjoyment of martial arts.