Ivan Batsanov
Head Coach
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Ivan Batsanov is coach of the Senior and Gold Group of Iolani Swim Club and is also the 'Iolani Masters Coach. A Bulgarian National Team member, Batsanov joined the coaching staff in 2011 and has been working with all age groups since then. Batsanov`s experience as a coach started back in 2009 when his collegiate career was over. After a couple of years coaching in Bulgaria, Batsanov decided to move to Hawaii and train and work with Coach Bobby Brewer at ‘Iolani Swim Club.
Collegiately, Batsanov swam for National Sports Academy of Bulgaria and he has earned a Bachelor degree in Coaching and Sports Management and a Master`s degree in the field of High Performance Swimming and Coaching.
A native of Sofia, Bulgaria Batsanov started swimming at the age of 8. So far, he has a career total of over 80 medals from national and international competitions including individual and relay events. His specialties are the shorter races, 50 to 200 meters in length freestyle. Ivan Batsanov has been part of Bulgarian National Swim Team for a period of 6 years and as well part of the country`s Olympic and European Junior Championship programs in 2004.
Batsanov’s coaching philosophy focuses on hard work both in and out of the pool. His coaching approach aims at perfect stoke technique that will definitely lead to the best possible race preparation. His practices are structured towards the individual goals of each and every swimmer on the team and stress on being ready for a race on daily basis.
Leighton Miyake
Assistant Coach - Silver II Group
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Leighton Miyake is coaching 'Iolani Swim Club's Silver Group.
He focuses on developing stroke skills and building speed,
strength and endurance on a competitive level. Coach
Leighton also helps his swimmers develop confidence and a
strong mindset to deal with the ups and downs of competitive
swimming and in life as well. He began his coaching career in 1992
under the tutelage of Coach Albert Minn of Aulea Swim Club. It was
there that Coach Leighton developed a deep affinity for working
with young swimmers. He joined Iolani Swim Club during the
2017-2018 season and had the opportunity to coach Iolani School's
JV swim team in 2018-2019. He recently accompanied Team Hawaii to
WAGZ Championships in Gresham (Oregon) as an assistant coach
for the 10 & Under Age Group. His swim philosophy is based on
the Japanese word “Kaizen” which means “always
moving forward”, “continuously improving”. He
says that “Kaizen” is something that should be strived
for daily, in all that you do. His thought is that when you believe
in yourself, always try your best and persevere, you will be
successful in swimming and in life.
Angel Rodriguez
Assistant Coach - Bronze Group
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Angel Rodriguez is coaching
'Iolani Swim Club's youngest swimmers - our Bronze Group.
Caoch Angel is originally from British Columbia, Canada and he
is currently pursuing his BA at the University of Hawaii.
Further, he has been part of 'Iolani Swim Club's Senior Group for a
few years now, and as an active swimmer Angel is eager to
compete and achieve more in swimming. He loves to be active and of
course his favorite sport is swimming. Coach Angel is thrilled to
be on deck daily and enjoys explaining the details of all strokes
to our Bronze Group swimmers. Often times right after the Bronze
Group classes for the day are done, you can see Angel training with
the Senior Group at our pool and preparing for his next race. He is
very a very motivated young individual, full of energy and always
happy to be at the pool both for swimming and coaching!
Kimberly T Guevara
Assistant Coach - Bronze Group
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Kimi Guevara joined the
'Iolani Swim Club's Coaching Staff a few years ago.
Originally, Kimi was actively training and swimming with our Senior
Group. In her Senior year, Kimi started working with our
youngest swimmers in the Bronze Group. Previously, when she was
still an active swimmer, Kimi was assisting with our year round
learn to swim lessons and she was preparing beginner swimmers to
learn all four strokes to be able to join 'Iolani Swim Club.
Coach Kimi also assisted for the 'Iolani School summer swim
programs. Her positive and enthusiastic attitude, along with her
knowledge about the sport of swimming, make her a great addition to
the ISC Coaching Staff. Her favorite stroke is
freestyle!
Matt Hiramoto
Assistant Coach - Bronze Group
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Originally from Volcano on the Big Island, Matt Hiramoto is coaching the very young swimmers in our Bronze Group. Matt started swimming with the Hawaii Swim Club and for Waiakea High School. After receiving a B.A. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Matt moved up to Oahu to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Taking advantage of the sunny weather and warm water beaches, Matt has found interest to complete various open water swims, triathlons, and the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii. When not surfing, Matt is currently the Environmental & Health Safety Specialist at the UH Cancer Center overseeing all aspects of lab and building safety/compliance. At ‘Iolani Swim Club Matt is not only coaching the Bronze Group, but also swimming with 'Iolani Masters during his free time.
Bradley Toland
Assistant Coach - Silver I Group
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Bradley Toland is the newest
addition to 'Iolani Swim Club's Coaching Staff. Bradley is coaching
our Silver Group. He swam collegiately for University of
Hawaii in the past few years and has recently graduated with a
Bachelor's Degree. As an active swimmer, Coach Bradley also
swam with the 'Iolani Masters team. He loves the water and is
very excited to have the opportunity to coach his favorite sport to
our Silver Group's swimmers. More about Coach Bradley coming
soon!
