Yong Back is the founder of Smart Ninja Club and a lifelong martial artist with a passion for helping children grow strong in body, mind, and character. He has trained in martial arts for most of his life, with a deep focus on Kendo. Yong holds a 4th Dan rank and is a proud member of the Hampton Roads Kendo Dojo in Newport News, Virginia. He is also the owner of Hokubei Budogu, an online Kendo equipment store.

As a martial artist, a father, and an active member of the Newport News and Yorktown community, Yong is especially dedicated to teaching martial arts to children. In his younger years, he also studied Taekwondo, and he has thoughtfully combined his experience to create a safe, fun, and age-appropriate martial arts program for children ages 6 to 9.

The Smart Ninja Club program focuses on building balance, flexibility, coordination, and mobility—preparing children physically and mentally before introducing more complex martial arts techniques. By drawing beneficial elements from multiple martial arts systems, the program is carefully tailored for young learners to enjoy and succeed.

To support mental growth and healthy habits, the program also includes a book reading club after each martial arts session. This helps children wind down, improve focus, and develop a love for reading.

Yong founded Smart Ninja Club to help children build a strong foundation before entering the challenging teenage years. Stop by Smart Ninja Club on Fridays and feel free to chat with Yong—he’s always happy to answer questions and meet families in the community.