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Instructor Profile - Damon SCHEARER

Jodo Godan [2017] - Australian Kendo Renmei

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Iaido Godan [2015] - All Japan Kendo Renmei

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Aikido Yondan [2014] - International Aikido Federation

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​Aikido Shodan [1997] - Shodokan Aikido Hombu

Iaido & Jodo History

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Damon commenced training in Iaido briefly in 1996 under the private guidance of Greg Mapstone in Ipswich, Queensland and then returned to training in 1999 under the instruction of David Kolb at the Brisbane Aiki Kai. In 2000 he took up the study of Jodo, also under David Kolb.

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

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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.

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He has held the following official positions relating to Iaido/Jodo in Australia:

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  • 2017-present     National Coaching Development Coordinator - Australian Kendo Renmei

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  • 2008-present      Executive Officer - ACT Kendo Renmei

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  • ​2015-2018           Iaido Board Chairman - Australian Kendo Renmei

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  • 2012-2015           Iaido Board Member - Australian Kendo Renmei

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  • 2012-2015           Jodo Board Member - Australian Kendo Renmei

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He has attended Australian Kendo Renmei Iaido and Jodo Seminars and has the following national championships results:

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  •   2012     Jodo Championships (Sydney) - 3rd Dan / 4th Dan individual kata - 2nd place

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  •   2012     Iaido Championships (Sydney) - 4th Dan individual kata - 1st place

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  •   2011     Jodo Championships (Melbourne) - 3rd Dan / 4th Dan individual kata​ - 1st place

Aikido History

 

Damon commenced training in Aikido in 1991 under the instruction of David Kolb at the Brisbane dojo of Aiki Kai Australia.  As a result or relocation due to work he was unable to study at Aikikai so helped the Queensland Tomiki Aikido Association establish a local school where he trained from 1994 – 1999. In 1998 his work changes 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 Kuroyamakai in late 2016.

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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).

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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.

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He holds the following Aikido related Instructor qualifications:

 

  • 2021   Kuroyama Budokai Aikido Instructor Level 2 - Australian Jujitsu Federation

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Sports Coaching and Defensive Skills History

 

  • 2021   Cert III Sports Coaching (Martial Arts) - Synergy Central

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