Our Instructors: Present Day Leadership In Aikido
What Makes Aikido Shudokan Special?
Aikido Shudokan is a traditional dojo dedicated to the practice of Yoshinkan-style Aikido. Training in traditional martial arts offers numerous benefits, from developing discipline, focus, and respect, to improving overall fitness and flexibility. At Aikido Shudokan, we uphold the values and teachings passed down by the great masters before us, preserving the rich history and traditions of this ancient art. We are not limited to the practice of Aikido. – our Senseis, students and their families are united as a supportive and enriching community.
Embrace Tradition, Master the Future
At Aikido Shudokan our goal is to preserve and disseminate the traditional values, concepts and principles of Budo in the modern world through the promulgation and practice of Aikido.
Joe Thambu Shuseki Shihan
Chief Instructor Shudokan Aikido
Founder of Shudokan Aikido. Established 1980
8th Dan
Joe Thambu Shuseki Shihan is a distinguished martial arts instructor and the founder of Aikido Shudokan in Melbourne, Australia. He began his Aikido training at age 11 under his uncle, Thamby Rajah Sensei, in Seremban, Malaysia, and also practiced Kendo and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo during his teenage years.
In 1978, Thambu Sensei earned his Shodan and moved to Australia at 19, where he established Aikido Shudokan in 1980.
To deepen his Aikido knowledge, Thambu sensei travelled to Japan in 1983 to train at the Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo, later establishing a permanent home for Aikido Shudokan in Australia upon his return.
Throughout his journey, he has trained under notable Aikido instructors, including Gozo Shioda Kancho Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi, Thamby Raja Sensei, Chida Tsutomu Soke, Obata Toshishiro Kaiso and Nariyama Shihan. Thambu Sensei has built a substantial international following with Aikido Shudokan International, conducting seminars and workshops around the world. Recognized for his technical expertise and teaching abilities, he received the title of Shihan in 2007.
Enrica Cheung Sensei
Dojo Cho - Head of Dojo
6th Dan - Rokkodan
Enrica Cheung Sensei began training in Aikido at Aikido Shudokan in Melbourne in March 2004 and tested for 1st Dan in December 2005. She became a full-time uchi deshi the following month and stayed on full-time in this position until February 2008, after which the position became part-time.
In March 2012, she was tested to 4th Dan and in April 2017, she was tested to 5th Dan, having had the honour of both ranks tested by Inoue Kyoichi Kancho, 10th Dan.
Enrica has taught self-defence for women and high school students at various schools around Melbourne, including Xavier College, Simonds College and Monash University, and has assisted Joe Thambu Shihan at international seminars in the UK, Europe and Malaysia, as well as corporate training events locally. Enrica was instructing at Heidelberg until the relocation of the Honbu dojo to Coburg in January 2026.
Fulori Smith Sensei
5th Dan Aikido - Godan
Fulori Smith began training in 2002 at the age of 11 and in 2008 awarded the rank of Shodan.
Fulorias work as an integration aide at a primary school and interest in education has greatly supported our work with children at the Shudokan. Fulori has also been involved in teaching self defence and Aikido in secondary schools across Melbourne.
In 2010 Fulori was awarded the rank of Nidan. In 2013 Fulori was awarded the rank of Sandan and awarded the rank of Yondan in 2017 by Inoue Kyoichi Kancho, 10th Dan.
Alia Nicholls Sensei
5th Dan Aikido - Godan
Alia Nicholls first started training at Aikido Shudokan in 1983 at the age of 6 and worked her way through the children’s classes and eventually transitioned into the adults classes.
She graded for her Shodan in 1993 and then for her Nidan in 1995. From 2001 to 2003, Alia was a full-time uchideshi at The Shudokan, teaching both adult’s and children’s classes and whilst continuing her intensive training. In 2003, she tested for her Sandan.
After living overseas for eight years, she returned to training in Melbourne and she tested for her Yondan in 2015.
Bart Lea Sensei
5th Dan Aikido - Godan
Bart Lea started training in 2000 at the Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu Hombu Dojo under Tsuneo Ando Shihan in Urayasu Japan. While in Japan, Bart participated in numerous demonstrations, camps and seminars including the the Ryu Dojo Annual Demonstration, the All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration and the Yamanashi Annual Demonstration.
In 2003, he attained the rank of Shodan under Ando Shihan before returning to Australia in 2004.
After relocating to Melbourne and becoming a member of Aikido Shudokan, Bart attained the rank of Nidan in 2008.
Since that time, Bart has had the privilege of teaching at both the Heidelberg (formerly Thornbury) and Springvale (formerly Oakleigh) Dojos and in 2013 Bart graded for Sandan under Joe Thambu Shihan. In both Japan and Australia, Bart has been fortunate enough to train under some of the leading practitioners of Aikido in the world; including, Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi, Takeno Takefumi Shihan, Tsutomu Chida Shihan, Ando Tsuneo Shihan and Robert Mustard Sensei.
Bart was awarded the rank of Yondan in 2017 by Inoue Kyoichi Kancho, 10th Dan.
Rodney McLeod Sensei
5th Dan Aikido - Godan
Rodney McLeod started training Karate as a teenager, as well as Aikido. Although he has also trained in many other martial arts, Rodney Sensei has been mainly focused on Aikido and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the last ten years.
Rodney is an adult class instructor at Aikido Shudokan Coburg Honbu Dojo and Xavier College.
Adam Hoddinott Sensei
4th Dan Aikido - Yondan
Adam started training at Aikido Shudokan in 2010 and was awarded 1st Dan in 2013. Since gaining the rank of Nidan (2nd Dan) in 2017, and after several years of assisting instructors during classes has gained the title of Fuku Shidoin – assisting instructor – in 2020.
He is currently teaching at the Bentleigh dojo (and was formerly teaching at the Mulgrave and Springvale dojos).
Adam was awarded the rank of Sandan in 2021 and in 2025 he attained the rank of Yondan.
Aikido for Kids: Harmony Through Discipline
At Aikido Shudokan, several instructors hold qualifications in education and child welfare. They bring classroom teaching experience, developmental psychology knowledge, and student welfare training to traditional martial arts instruction. This isn’t common in martial arts schools—but it should be.
Educational training means our instructors understand learning progressions, can identify when a child needs additional support, and know how to explain complex concepts in age-appropriate ways. The background and dedication of our instructors ensures safe, respectful environments where students flourish.
Lena Lee Sensei
3rd Dan Aikido - Sandan
Lena Lee Sensei began training in Aikido at Aikido Shudokan in Melbourne in February 2017 and tested for 1st Dan in September 2019.
She became a dedicated member of the dojo admin team before testing for 2nd Dan in May 2022. In December 2024 she attained the rank of 3rd Dan.
Lena currently instructs both children and adults classes, and has used her experience as an Early Childhood Teacher to develop new class formats. She created the Wee Warriors class for children ages 3-5, extending the range of ages instructed at Aikido Shudokan Honbu. She also helped create AikiTV in 2020, bringing a lasting resource to a wider community.
Ivy Hsieh Sensei
2nd Dan Aikido - Nidan
Ivy began her Aikido training before having children and returned to regular practice once her children were old enough to join her on the mats. She tested for her Shodan in 2018.
In 2022, her passion for learning and child development has supported her as one of the instructors for the kids program.
Greg Hsiao Sensei
3rd Dan Aikido - Sandan
I began my Aikido journey in 2016, stepping onto the mat in my 40s with a simple mission: to encourage my children to train. What started as a way to inspire them quickly became a deep personal pursuit—one that has become an essential part of my life.
I earned my Shodan (1st-degree black belt) in 2019, followed by Nidan in 2022, and Sandan in 2025, continuing to train consistently 3–4 times a week.
As a practicing dentist, I discovered that Aikido offers more than self-defence—it provides balance. The physical discipline counteracts the static posture of clinical work, while the mental clarity and calm it cultivates has become a powerful form of stress relief in my daily life.
What inspires me most about teaching Aikido is its ability to develop awareness, presence, and resilience—especially in young students. I’m passionate about helping children (and adults!) find their own growth through the art, just as I did, one step and one fall at a time.
