Aikido in Australia
The National Aikido Association of Australia, Aiki-kai (Australia), was formed in 1965 under the direct authorisation of the Aikido founder Ueshiba Morihei. Its originator Sugano Shihan (8th Dan) was a direct student of O-Sensei. He remains head of Aiki-Kai in Australia, and is the Australian representative to the affiliated parent organisation, World Aikido Headquarters (Hombu), based in Japan.
Aiki-Kai (Australia) is the accrediting authority for Aikido in Australia under the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (Department of Sports and Recreation).