Teachers

Paul Sinkinson

5th Dan.

He commenced Aikido in Bromborough, United Kingdom, in 1972 under Terry Ezra Sensei. On a weekly basis a group would travel to Liverpool and train with Jean Hill at the Vernon Sangster Center. The British AikiKai was headed up by Kazuo Chiba Shihan.

Eager to devote himself to Aikido, Paul went to live in Tokyo where he studied at Aiki Kai World Headquarters, Hombu Dojo from 1975 to 1977. During this time he practiced under several famous Aikido masters including the late Kissomaru Ueshiba, second Doshu (Head) of Aiki Kai Aikido and son of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, Arikawa Shihan, and Nishio Shihan.

He then went to live in New Zealand, studying under Nobuo Takase Shihan and obtaining the rank of Sandan. Coming to Australia in 1988 Paul has taught Aikido for many years in dojos in Western Australia (Perth and Mandurah) and currently in New South Wales, where he is head of the Terrey Hills Aikido centre on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Jean-Christophe Merlant

Jean started Aikido in 1983, training under Tamura's Instructors (6th dan) in Paris. Jean was graded Shodan in 1991 under Tamura Sensei and has been training in Australia for 10 years. Jean was graded 2nd dan in March 2005.