Louis van Thieghem appointed Shihan by Hombu

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Louis van Thieghem as a Shihan in the Hombu's promotions list, released at the recent Kagami Baraki event.

Louis van Thieghem Sensei has become a regular visitor to our national schools since the passing of Sugano Shihan. As Sugano Shihan's most senior student in Europe Louis van Thieghem Sensei has forged strong ties with Australia and has been a catalyst in inviting our Shihans to instruct at European and Russian events.

Amongst the many positions he holds in Europe he is part of the Grading Committee for the AFA Belgium in Southern Belgium and for the VAV (the northern organisation that followis Sugano Sensei's teachings). He is also part of the panel which accredits Aikido teachers for the Belgian Government (equivalent to Shidoin and Fuku-shidoin). In addition, he is the Technical Director of the Inter-regional Aikido Federation of the Crimea and Sebastopol, and Technical Director of the Yamato Aiki Kai Aikido Foundation in St Petersberg, Russia, and of the Aikicen of Cameroon (another group following Sugano Shihan's teachings).

The appointment is a richly deserved recognition of the work Louis has done and continues to do in perpetuating Sugano Shihan's Aikido legacy through-out the world.