PETALING JAYA: Malaysia made history in Yoshinkan Aikido by hosting the 2nd Gozo Shioda Legacy Gasshuku, setting two Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) achievements and boosting the nation’s martial arts heritage.
The four-day event, held from Aug 22 to 25, gathered 150 practitioners from 18 countries for intensive training, workshops, and public demonstrations.
Organised by Aikido Shudokan Malaysia (ASM) and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), the programme was part of the National Day-Malaysia Day celebrations under the theme ‘Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni.
ASM chief instructor Ramlan Ortega Shihan, who also leads Aikido Shudokan Singapore, said the event marked a proud moment to see Malaysia recognised at an international level.
“To have the world’s most respected Yoshinkan masters and practitioners gather here, in the very country where my late teacher, Thamby Rajah Sensei first planted the seeds of Aikido, and to achieve two national records during our National Day–Malaysia Day season, shows that Malaysia is a thriving part of Aikido’s future,” he said in a statement today.
The two records certified by MBR were “Most Enforcement Officer Participants in an Aikido Shudokan Workshop” and “Most Female Participation in an Aikido Shudokan Workshop.”
On Aug 22, a total of 1,486 enforcement officers joined a specialised training on restraint and removal techniques based on Aikido principles of control and non-aggression.
A day later, 1,044 women attended the “Women Awareness and Personal Safety Workshop” officiated by Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
“This workshop is to build confidence, encourage self-reliance and give women the skills to stay safe while staying calm,” said Joe Thambu Shihan, nephew of Thamby Rajah and founder of Aikido Shudokan International.
The gasshuku also marked a personal milestone for Ramlan, who was promoted to 7th dan by Thambu in a presentation witnessed by Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
Malaysia’s connection to Aikido began in the 1950s through Thamby Rajah, who founded The Shudokan in Seremban in 1961 with the blessing of Yoshinkan founder Gozo Shioda Soke.
“The torch started by Thamby Rajah Sensei continues to burn brightly in Malaysia,” said Thambu.
The event concluded with a symbolic visit to The Shudokan, reaffirming Malaysia’s central role in the art’s global journey.
Gasshuku is a training camp for Aikido, which is a traditional Japanese martial art where two people work together to help one another understand the art.
Unlike other martial arts that focus primarily on physical technique, Aikido is a holistic practice emphasising mental focus and emotional balance, open to people of all ages.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
