6th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido Shihan & 5th Dan Gyokushin Ryu Aikido Shihan

Jon Marshall Shihan started Aikido in 1985 under long-time teacher Joe Thambu Shihan at the renowned Aikido Shudokan in Melbourne. From the age of 10 via the children’s class, the young Jon Marshall showed an aptitude and talent in what is to be an enduring dedication to Budo. At age 15, he tested and received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) then five years later tested and received his Nidan (2nd black belt); the highlight of which was being tested by Gozo Shioda’s last uchi-deshi (live-in disciple) Mori Michiharu Shihan. In 1996, with a strong desire to further his knowledge and practice of Aikido, he decided to move to Japan and train at the Yoshinkan Aikido Honbu (HQ) in Tokyo.

From 1997-1998, he undertook the rigorous but renowned Senshusei/Instructors Course at the Honbu dojo, and upon completion was awarded the rank of 3rd Dan. His enthusiasm and talent was recognised throughout the arduous Senshusei course and as a result was appointed an Instructor at the Yoshinkan Honbu dojo, where he taught other Senshusei and the international classes. Whilst living in Japan, he accompanied senior Honbu instructors overseas to assist with frequent seminars also. Jon Marshall Sensei tested to the rank of fourth dan black belt in 2001.

In 2002, he returned after living and training for 7 years to commence his tertiary studies in Osteopathy. He was appointed the senior instructor of the Aikido Shudokan under Joe Thambu Shihan and accompanied him on numerous international tours where he has taught in a number of countries namely: Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Poland and the United States.

In 2006, he returned to Japan and was tested to the level of Godan (5th black belt) by eminent Yoshinkan instructors, Inoue Kyoichi Kancho and Chida Tsutomu Shihan making him the youngest foreigner outside Japan to attain the rank of 5th dan at 31 years of age.

In 2016, he received the rank of 6th dan from the Yoshinkan Honbu dojo and in 2017 received the title of Shihan.

In addition to training in Yoshinkan Aikido, Jon Marshall also holds the rank of 5th dan in Gyokushin ryu Aikido and was awarded his teaching licence directly from the founder, Terumi Washizu Sensei. He was also awarded the rare distinction of being appointed the head of Gyokushin ryu in Australia with the title of Shibucho and only the second dojo outside Japan that is authorised to teach and grade students in Gyokushin ryu Aikido. In April 2017, Jon Marshall was awarded the rank of Shihan (Master) from the Gyokushin ryu honbu dojo. He makes frequent trips to Shizuoka, Japan to continue his study of this fascinating form of budo.

Initially establishing his own dojo in the iconic Rialto Towers in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, the dojo subsequently upgraded to a larger space in Brunswick St, Fitzroy and was renamed the Melbourne Budo Academy. In March 2018, the dojo relocated to the present site at Level 1, 96a Hoddle St, Abbotsford.

The dojo assembles world class instructors in various Martial Arts, and it is here that he shares the Aikido that has been passed down to him by his teachers and lessons he has learnt in Budo. He believes in the virtues that come from training budo and ultimately its role in bringing harmony to an individual’s life and the world around them.

Aikido 3rd Dan

Luca has devoted his adult life to full time Martial Arts study and has been teaching Aikido since 2016. He has also extended his martial arts practice to Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and Daido Juku Kudo, which he incorporates into his Aikido classes.

His intention as an instructor is to be able to help people realise the best versions of themselves possible, and bring the success they find on the mats to every aspect of their lives.

He believes every teaching experience provides a unique opportunity to gain new insights into how other people experience the practice, which then feeds back into his own ability, making the student and teacher grow together. Witnessing the growth of a student for Luca is a very rewarding experience.

Aikido 2nd Dan

Costa first began training in Aikido at the Melbourne Budo Academy in November 2015 under Jon Marshall Shihan.

Working and studying as a musician, Costa was in search of a new art form that would compliment and bring some much needed fitness into his life. He was drawn to Aikido for its gentle and effortless style, juxtaposed against the large and powerful throws. Quite soon into his journey, he discovered a technical breadth and depth of expression possible in the martial arts that rivaled music and any other art form. This insight led to delving into his training in earnest, taking any opportunity to be in the dojo and working on form and technique, and eventually being awarded his Shodan (black belt) in December 2018.

Today he embodies the ethos of the Melbourne Budo Academy, regularly training additionally in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo in an attempt to be as well rounded a martial artist as possible. As well as doing his utmost to share his love and enthusiasm for budo and martial techniques with others.