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Dojo Cho & Principal Instructor (Iaido, Jodo & Aikido)

Iaido Rokudan [2022] - All Japan Kendo Renmei
Jodo Rokudan [2023] - All Japan Kendo Renmei
Aikido Yondan [2015] - International Aikido Federation
Aikido Shodan [1997] - Shodokan Hombu

Iaido

Damon commenced training in Koryu Iaido (Muso Jikidne Eishin Ryu (MJER)) briefly in 1996 under the private guidance of Greg Mapstone in Ipswich, Queensland. In 1999 he returned to Iaido training under the instruction of David Kolb at the Brisbane Aiki Kai (now of Bayside Budokai) with whom he progressed his study of All Japan Kendo Renmei (ZNKR) Seitei Iaido and MJER Koryu Iaido.

He has travelled to Japan on numerous occasions training privately in Sendai with Kuniaki Nagayama Sensei, 7 Dan Kyoshi Jodo 7 Dan Kyoshi Iaido and attending ZNKR Miyagi Prefecture Iaido and Jodo seminars. He has also trained with Obayashi Tadashi Sensei, 8 Dan Kiyoshi, of the Dai Ken Kyo Iaido club in Osaka.

Shigeru Komura Sensei (8th Dan Hanshi Gifu Pref)

Jodo

Damon commenced training in Jodo in 2000 under the private instruction of David Kolb at the Brisbane Aiki Kai (now of Bayside Budokai).

Through David Kolb, he has advanced his study of All Japan Kendo Renmei Seitei Iaido and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido.

He has travelled to Japan on numerous occasions over the last 16 years training privately in Sendai with Kuniaki Nagayama Sensei, 7 Dan Kyoshi Jodo 7 Dan Kyoshi Iaido and attending ZNKR Miyagi Prefecture Iaido and Jodo seminars. He has also trained with Obayashi Tadashi Sensei, 8 Dan Kiyoshi, of the Dai Ken Kyo Iaido club in Osaka.

Aikido

Damon commenced training in Aikido in 1991 under the instruction of David Kolb at the Brisbane dojo of Aiki Kai Australia. In 1994 due to relocating for work he was unable to study at Aikikai so helped the Queensland Tomiki Aikido Association establish a local school where he trained until 2000. A work relocation in 1998 enabled a return to Aikikai Australia where he trained until he moved to Canberra in 2007. Upon moving to Canberra he commenced training with the Aikido no Kenkyukai group until introducing Aikido to the curriculum at Kuroyama Budokai in late 2016.

In addition to Aikikai, Kenkyukai and Tomiki styles of Aikido, he has had exposure/experience training with other Aikido schools – Yoshinkan Aikido through a series of classes for Police in 1999 by Michiharu Mori Sensei (then 5th Dan), and Iwama Ryu Aikido through Weapons classes with Ipswich Takemusu Aikido in 1998 by Jason Wotherspoon (then 3rd Dan).

His principal inspiration in Aikido study is Katsuyuki Shimamoto 8th Dan Shihan (and Buddhist Priest) of the Shosenji Dojo in Osaka, David Brown 6th Dan Shihan of Aikikai Australia (Victoria), and William Gleason 7th Dan Shihan of Boston Aikido.

Damon's current focus in Aikido is on it's connection to sword work, and also its martial arts context, as a result of a career in law enforcement, dignitary protection, and self defence. He also currently teaches Iaido and Jodo and holds Godan (5th Dan) in each from the All Japan Kendo Federation, and is continually looking for the intersection between the various Budo arts.

He is an accredited Level 2 Aikido Instructor with both the Martial Arts Industry Association [2001] and the Australian Jujitsu Federation [2001].

Defensive Skills

QP defensive skills instrcution and CPP Protection Officer. Work with preparing civilians to travel to ..........