Paul Sinkinson
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, other teachers at Hombu at that time, Osawa Shihan, Yamaguchi Shihan Masuda Shihan, Arikawa Shihan, Ichihashi Shihan and was fortunate to have trained with Nishio Shihan. also spent 6 months in Kochi, Shikoku.
From Japan Arrived in NZ early 1978, 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
4th Dan.
Jean-Christophe started Aikido in 1982, training under the instruction of Michel Becart Shihan 7th dan, in Paris. From 1964, Michel Becart followed the teaching of Noro Sensei, Tamura Sensei, Chiba Sensei and Yamada Sensei. Jean-Christophe was graded Shodan in 1991 under Tamura Sensei and has been training in Australia ever since, following Sugano Sensei’s instructors for a period as well as Paul Sinkinson Sensei, currently Dojo Cho Sydney Aikikai Inc. and Rosso Fernandez Sensei Chief Instructor Auckland Aikikai.
Jean-Christophe is also a member of ACNA (National Cultural Association of Aikido) created in 1980 by Michel Becart.
Ray Simmons
3rd Dan.
Ray began his Aikido journey in 1965 when Sugano Sensei first came to Australia. He attained his 1st kyu a couple of years later and then other commitments saw Ray hang up his gi for quite a few years.
After studying Tae Kwon Do for 8 years and achieving 2nd Dan he recommenced his Aikido training in 1993 with Aiki Kai Australia and was graded Shodan by Sugano Shihan in 1995 then Nidan three years later. More recently Ray gained his 3rd Dan under Rosso Sensei’s guidance.
Over the years Ray has trained with Doshu (Head) of Aiki Kai Aikido grandson of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, Sugano Shihan, Chiba Shihan, and Ken Cottier Sensei.