Instructor Profile:

John Litchen, San-Dan Fuku-Shidoin

John commenced studying Aikido in 1990 in Santiago, Chile while on an extended visit. His first teacher was Jorge Rojo (now 6th Dan and Technical Director of Aikikai Chile) who was such an inspiration that John and his son trained every day for the three months they were in Chile.

After returning to Australia he continued with his studies of Aikido with Aiki-Kai Australia under the direction of Sugano Shihan and his appointed senior instructors in Melbourne.

On retirement John moved to the Gold Coast where he continues to study and teach Aikido at Mudgeeraba. John is also the secretary for The Gold Coast Aiki-Kai inc. and handles enquiries relating to training, memberships and general dojo activities.

John writes about Aikido and other matters. He is the editor of Aikido Australia, the official newsletter for Aiki-Kai Australia, and has contributed articles to that journal as well as Aikido Today magazine in the USA, and Bujutsu International Australia. Recently some of his photos from the 40th anniversary summer school have appeared in Blitz Martial Arts Magazine.

He is the author of Cinematography Underwater (Oceans Enterprises) and Convergence – Aspects of the Change (Fiction from Zeus Publications).

He is the author of Aikido- Basic and Intermediate Studies published by Trafford Publishing in Canada and this book is available through the Trafford website as well as Amazon.com or in Australia directly from the author, who can be contacted through the Gold Coast Dojo at Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia, by post at PO Box 3503, Robina Town Centre, Queensland, 4230, Australia, or by email at jlitchen@bigpond.net.au